Every year at KaiNexicon, we are reminded that our platform is only as powerful as the people who use it. While we provide the digital foundation for operational excellence, the true magic happens when our customers apply their passion, creativity, and tireless effort to solve complex problems and scale continuous improvement throughout their organizations.

This year, as we celebrate a decade of gathering in Austin, we want to spotlight the individuals and teams who have gone beyond standard implementation to become true partners in innovation. Their feedback and trust have shaped our journey from a simple idea template into a robust operating system. 

Here are the 2026 Nexie Award winners:

The Best New Champion Award: Shaeleigh Sprigg from Memorial Health System

This individual has quickly and decisively transitioned from a supporting member of her organization’s continuous improvement team to the role of primary KaiNexus Champion. She had very big shoes to fill when her predecessor left, and has been more than up to the challenge of leading the KaiNexus charge.

As a strong internal advocate and resource, she is always looking for new ways to leverage the platform and spread improvement culture to new teams and users. Her support of KaiNexus and strong product knowledge have made her transition to Champion seamless. The award for Best New Champion goes to Shaeleigh Sprigg at Memorial Health System. 

The Ofie of the Year Award: Brian Molgaard from Jack Henry

The Ofie Award celebrates a leader who embodies passion, partnership, and enthusiasm in everything they do. From the very beginning of his time with us, Brian has done more than just use the platform. He has championed the system, built new workflows, and led his team to move all their development work into KaiNexus. 

His dedication is clear in his commitment to excellence, from traveling for a hands-on rollout to improving AI reports. His leadership receives the highest-quality data. He deeply values his team's contributions and leads with kindness and humor when challenges arise. This year's Ofie of the Year is Brian Molgaard.

The Collaboration Excellence Award: OKCIC

The team at OKCIC has set the standard for what true partnership looks like. Starting from the earliest stages of the sales process, they worked side by side with our team to align on success metrics and build a thoughtful rollout plan. 

They have welcomed us onsite, traveled to Austin to learn alongside their peers, and maintained open, honest communication every step of the way. The result is one of the strongest, most aligned implementations we have seen, making them a clear choice for this recognition. 

The Partner of the Year Award: Blanchard Valley Health System

Blanchard Valley Health System truly embodies what it means to be a Partner of the Year. Over the past year, they have leaned in as a dedicated collaborator, beta-testing new capabilities and establishing a strong executive cadence that extends to regular CEO connections.  

Our partnership has been defined by transparency and alignment, ensuring that every step forward strengthens the relationship. Today, they have their whole organization engaged in improvement work within KaiNexus and consistently show up to share their insights at our user conference. Their commitment and forward momentum make them incredibly deserving of this recognition. 

Thank you to everyone who made the trek to Austin to learn, grow, and celebrate with us. Your leadership and dedication continue to inspire the entire KaiNexus community. Congratulations to all our 2026 Nexie Award winners on your incredible achievements this past year.