Change Maker Awards

Celebrating innovation in accounts payable.

Announcing the Winners

We’re excited to announce the winners of our first annual Change Maker Awards, celebrating AvidXchange customers who have driven innovation in accounts payable. These individuals were recognized for the impact they’ve made in their organizations and their personal achievements in transforming AP processes.

In recognition of their outstanding contributions to the accounts payable industry, each winner will be showcased on the iconic Nasdaq Tower, as well as a $1,000 donation to their charity of their choice on behalf of AvidXchange. Join us in honoring these leaders as they shape the future of finance.

Meet the 2024 Change Maker Awards Winners

Alexis Bates, Director of Construction and Development Accounting, Robert High Development

In response to the demand for faster, more secure subcontractor payments, Alexis spearheaded the implementation of AvidXchange’s end-to-end AP automation solution built for construction. The payment process is now more streamlined, saving her company over $100,000 annually in hard costs like check stock and postage and eliminating the need to hire additional staff due to increased efficiency. Additionally, with a more robust approval process, her team has experienced fewer errors and implemented a stronger system for checks and balances.

Ella Hu, Accountant CPA, Red Stone Properties

Ella played a key role in implementing AvidXchange’s payment automation solution, replacing manual processes that were prone to errors and delays. The adoption of a more efficient process resulted in annual savings of $45,000 and reduced payment processing time from 14 days to just 5. Ella’s efforts also led to a 30% increase in supplier satisfaction, as suppliers now receive more timely payments with clearer status updates.

Farzana Sarpas, Staff Accountant – Development Accounting, Rancho Mission Viejo,LLC

Farzana led the implementation of AvidXchange’s end-to-end AP automation solution built for construction. She played a key role in integrating an innovative system that utilizes a newly created company portal designed to automatically import, code, and route submitted supplier invoices to AvidXchange, fully automating the AP process and saving approximately 40 hours each week. In addition to eliminating a variety of time-consuming tasks, Farzana created personalized virtual trainings and user guide manuals for her company and suppliers, ensuring a seamless transition to the new AP software.

Ja’Net Penn, Accounting Manager, Peak Property Management

Under Ja’Net’s innovative leadership, Peak Property successfully transitioned to a fully automated, paperless AP process with AvidXchange. This shift reduced invoice approval times by 30% and improved customer retention, allowing the company to focus on stable revenue streams rather than new client acquisition costs. Ja’Net also introduced a key KPI to track unapproved invoices, increasing accountability in the approval process and improving relationships with suppliers and property owners, with on-time payments reaching 95%.

Kelly Brummer, Controller AVP, Premier Bank

Kelly’s efforts to modernize the accounts payable and expense reimbursement processes with AvidXchange had a transformative impact on Premier Bank, resulting in annual savings of approximately $79,000. Administrative tasks for all employees were reduced from 40 hours per week to just 10, freeing up valuable time for the finance team to focus on more strategic work. Her CFO praised her for driving a more efficient and delivering a seamless experience for the team.

Shannon Powers, Manager of HRIS & AP, Energo

Shannon implemented enhanced workflows within AvidXchange’s invoice automation solution, reducing invoice approval time to under 24 hours. The streamlined process has also improved accuracy, with error rates now nearly “non-existent”. Reporting now takes just 15 minutes, down from an hour, increasing operational efficiency and saving on payroll costs.

Celebrating Our Winners

Winners can look forward to:

Opportunity to drive further change with a $1,000 donation to a charity of their choice
Feature on the Nasdaq Tower in Times Square, highlighting their achievements
Publicity for their accomplishments through inclusion in a press release, social media mentions, and case study
Recognition as pioneers and forward-thinkers, enhancing industry credibility
An exclusive prize package

Nominations for the 2025 Change Maker Awards will open in August 2025.

Do you know someone who has driven remarkable change in the accounts payable industry, or have you made significant strides yourself? Fill out the form below with your information, and you’ll receive email instructions on how to complete your nomination submission.

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Nominees must be a current AvidXchange customer to be eligible. Please review all terms and conditions and here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do nominees have to be a current AvidXchange customer?

Yes, nominees must be a current AvidXchange customer.

How are the winners chosen?

Winners will be determined by a panel of judges appointed by AvidXchange. Entries will be judged for quantifiable metrics, background on innovation, and impact of innovation using unique judging criteria. Please see our terms and conditions.

How will winners be notified?

Winners will be contacted by phone and email in mid-October.

Can I pick what charity you donate to on my behalf?

Yes! However, if the requested charity is deemed ineligible, we will provide a list of approved charities for you to choose from for your donation.

Can I submit multiple nominations?

Yes! We encourage you to nominate anyone who you believe should be recognized for driving innovative change in accounts payable.

Will the information shared in the nomination form be shared publicly?

We take information security seriously at AvidXchange. Information submitted through the nomination form will not be shared publicly without your permission.

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Change Maker Awards

Announcing the Winners

Meet the 2024 Change Maker Awards Winners

Alexis Bates, Director of Construction and Development Accounting, Robert High Development

Ella Hu, Accountant CPA, Red Stone Properties

Farzana Sarpas, Staff Accountant – Development Accounting, Rancho Mission Viejo,LLC

Ja’Net Penn, Accounting Manager, Peak Property Management

Kelly Brummer, Controller AVP, Premier Bank

Shannon Powers, Manager of HRIS & AP, Energo

Celebrating Our Winners

Winners can look forward to:

Nominations for the 2025 Change Maker Awards will open in August 2025.

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