February 11, 2026
Meet the Judges for CXMStars 2026
I am delighted to introduce you to the judging panel for CXMStars 2026! We have a mix of global leaders, seasoned practitioners, and award-winning voices in customer experience. With CX evolving faster than ever, these judges bring decades of expertise across CX strategy, transformation, certification and professional development. Our judges have been busy reading CXM Stars submissions over the last week and ranking the brilliant people that make up our industry!
Here’s your guide to the esteemed judging panel shaping this year’s CXM Stars:
Ian Golding – Certified CX Professional & Global Thought Leader
Ian Golding is a globally recognised Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP) and Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with over two decades of experience helping organisations become truly customer-centric. He has consulted across sectors including retail, financial services, logistics, and technology, and is widely published and heard on CX strategy, measurement, and leadership. Ian was also the first person ever authorised by the Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA) to teach the CCXP accreditation and remains one of the most influential voices in the profession worldwide.
Ian has also been involved across CXM and Awards International for many years, most recently hosting the International Customer Experience Awards with co-host Nienke Bloem.
Nienke Bloem – CX Expert, Speaker & Educator
Nienke Bloem is a highly respected customer experience strategist, speaker, and trainer from the Netherlands. With over 20 years of experience in CX leadership and strategic change management, she delivers keynotes, masterclasses, and break-out sessions that make CX actionable and fun. Nienke is known for her engaging approach—blending practical tools, deep insights, and interactive learning—and is the co-author of CX Is a Pilgrimage. She also regularly supports CX leaders in developing their strategies and preparing for CCXP certification.
Greg Melia, CAE – CEO, Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA)
As Chief Executive Officer of CXPA, the foremost global non-profit serving the customer experience profession, Greg Melia brings a unique blend of association leadership and CX advocacy. With nearly 20 years’ experience in association management and community building, Greg champions the value of CX professionalisation, certification, and networking worldwide. Under his leadership, CXPA continues to expand its global reach, support CX practitioners at every stage of their careers, and promote best practices that elevate the discipline across industries.
Sandra De Zoysa – Visionary CX Leader & Global Award Winner
Sandra De Zoysa is a distinguished customer experience executive with over 30 years’ experience in the telecom and digital services industry, currently serving as Group Chief Customer Officer and Managing Director at Dialog Axiata PLC. A recognised CX innovator, Sandra was named among the Top 40 Future of CX Leaders 2026 by CX Network for her strategic leadership and human-centred approach to customer experience transformation. She champions empathy, ethics, and intelligent design as critical elements shaping the future of customer interactions and service excellence.
What This Means for CXMStars 2026
Each judge brings distinctive perspectives from across the global CX ecosystem—ranging from strategic certification and professional development, to practical leadership and implementation, to visionary and transformative practice across complex enterprise environments.
Their combined insight will ensure the CXMStars 2026 judging process is rigorous, fair and deeply informed.
And The Winner is…
Stay tuned to CXM, we will be announcing the top CXM Stars next week!
