# awards

**Repository Path**: cncf/awards

## Basic Information

- **Project Name**: awards
- **Description**: 🏆 CNCF Community Awards
- **Primary Language**: Unknown
- **License**: Apache-2.0
- **Default Branch**: main
- **Homepage**: None
- **GVP Project**: No

## Statistics

- **Stars**: 0
- **Forks**: 0
- **Created**: 2022-07-25
- **Last Updated**: 2025-09-15

## Categories & Tags

**Categories**: Uncategorized

**Tags**: None

## README

# CNCF Community Awards

CNCF Community Awards will reward the community members, developers and advocates working hardest to advance cloud native.

We traditionally have the following awards, rewarded at different times of each calendar year:

- **Top Ambassador**: A champion for the cloud native space, this individual helps spread awareness of the CNCF and its projects. The CNCF Ambassador leverages multiple platforms, both online as well as speaking engagements, driving interest and excitement around the ecosystem.
- **Top Committer**: This award recognizes excellence in technical contributions to CNCF and its hosted projects. The CNCF Top Committer has made key commits to projects and, more importantly, contributes in a way that benefits the project as a whole.
- **Top End User**: The special award for the [CNCF End User Community](https://www.cncf.io/enduser/) representatives in recognition of major contributions to the cloud native ecosystem. All end users can be nominated, but end user members can not win two consecutive years in a row.
<br>
The winner is announced once per year at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America and is selected from [Case Studies](https://www.cncf.io/case-studies/), [Video Spotlights](https://www.cncf.io/video-spotlight/), [Reference Architectures](https://architecture.cncf.io/), and similar content contributed by end users. To be eligible for consideration for a particular year's award, the contribution must be received (i) at least 6 weeks prior to that year's KubeCon North America conference and (ii) within the last 15 months.
- **Top Documentarian** (since 2021): This award recognizes excellence in documentation contributions to CNCF and its projects. Excellent technical documentation is one of the best ways projects can lower the barrier to contribution.
- **Chop Wood Carry Water Award**: This award is given to community members helping behind the scenes, dedicating countless hours to open source projects, hosting and building community meetups, and often completing thankless tasks for the benefit of the community.
- **The TAGGIE**: This award is presented to the person who has done the most to advance CNCF’s [Technical Advisory Groups](https://github.com/cncf/toc/tree/main/tags) (TAGs). TAGs scale contributions by the CNCF technical and user community, while retaining integrity and increasing quality in support of CNCF’s mission of making cloud native ubiquitous.
- **Small but Mighty**: This award recognizes the company or organization in the community with the largest impact. CNCF is made up of hundreds of thousands of individuals and organizations, each providing valuable contributions, but this award is presented to an organization punching above its weight.

## Table of contents

- [CNCF Community Awards](#cncf-community-awards)
- [Awarded](#awarded)
  - [2025](#2025)
    - [Top End User](#2025-top-end-user)
  - [2024](#2024)
    - [Top End User](#2024-top-end-user)
    - [Lifetime Achievement](#2024-lifetime-achievement)
    - [Top Committer](#2024-top-committer)
    - [Top Documentarian](#2024-top-documentarian)
    - [Chop Wood Carry Water](#2024-chop-wood-carry-water)
    - [The TAGGIE](#2024-the-taggie)
    - [Lift and Shift](#2024-lift-and-shift)
  - [2023](#2023)
    - [Top End User](#2023-top-end-user)
    - [Top Committer](#2023-top-committer)
    - [Top Documentarian](#2023-top-documentarian)
    - [Chop Wood Carry Water](#2023-chop-wood-carry-water)
    - [The TAGGIE](#2023-the-taggie)
    - [Small but Mighty](#2023-small-but-mighty)
  - [2022](#2022)
    - [Top End User](#2022-top-end-user)
    - [Top Committer](#2022-top-committer)
    - [Top Documentarian](#2022-top-documentarian)
    - [Chop Wood Carry Water](#2022-chop-wood-carry-water)
  - [2021](#2021)
    - [Top End User](#2021-top-end-user)
    - [Top Ambassador](#2021-top-ambassador)
    - [Top Committer](#2021-top-committer)
    - [Top Documentarian](#2021-top-documentarian)
    - [Chop Wood Carry Water](#2021-chop-wood-carry-water)
  - [2020](#2020)
    - [Top End User](#2020-top-end-user)
    - [Top Committer](#2020-top-committer)
    - [Top Ambassador](#2020-top-ambassador)
    - [Chop Wood Carry Water](#2020-chop-wood-carry-water)
  - [2019](#2019)
    - [Top Ambassador](#2019-top-ambassador)
    - [Top Committer](#2019-top-committer)
    - [Chop Wood Carry Water](#2019-chop-wood-carry-water)
    - [Top End User](#2019-top-end-user)
  - [2018](#2018)
    - [Top Ambassador](#2018-top-ambassador)
    - [Top Committer](#2018-top-committer)
    - [Chop Wood Carry Water](#2018-chop-wood-carry-water)
    - [Top End User](#2018-top-end-user)
  - [2017](#2017)
    - [Top Ambassador](#2017-top-ambassador)
    - [Top Committer](#2017-top-committer)
    - [Chop Wood Carry Water Award](#2017-chop-wood-carry-water-award)
  - [2016](#2016)
    - [Top Ambassador](#2016-top-ambassador)
    - [Top Committer](#2016-top-committer)

## Awarded

### 2025

#### 2025 Top End User
  - [ANT Group](https://www.cncf.io/announcements/2025/04/03/cloud-native-computing-foundation-announces-ant-group-as-the-top-end-user-award-winner/)

### 2024

#### 2024 Top End User

- [CERN](https://www.cncf.io/announcements/2024/03/21/cloud-native-computing-foundation-announces-cern-as-the-top-end-user-award-winner/)
- [Adobe](https://www.cncf.io/announcements/2024/11/14/cncf-presents-top-end-user-award-to-adobe/)

#### 2024 Lifetime Achievement

Tim Hockin ([thockin](https://github.com/thockin))

#### 2024 Top Committer

Joe Stringer ([joestringer](https://github.com/joestringer))

#### 2024 Top Documentarian

- Qiming Teng ([tengqm](https://github.com/tengqm))
- Michael Yao ([windsonsea](https://github.com/windsonsea))

#### 2024 Chop Wood Carry Water

- Sandeep Kanabar ([sandeepkanabar](https://github.com/sandeepkanabar))
- Ali Ok ([aliok](https://github.com/aliok))
- William Rizzo ([wrkode](https://github.com/wrkode))
- Priyanka Saggu ([Priyankasaggu11929](https://github.com/Priyankasaggu11929))
- Stefan Schimanski ([sttts](https://github.com/sttts))
- James Spurin ([spurin](https://github.com/spurin))

#### 2024 The TAGGIE

Nancy Chauhan ([Nancy-Chauhan](https://github.com/Nancy-Chauhan))

#### 2024 Lift and Shift

- Aaron Crickenberger ([spiffxp](https://github.com/spiffxp))
- Arnaud Meukam ([ameukam](https://github.com/ameukam))
- Ben Elder ([bentheelder](https://github.com/bentheelder))
- Caleb Woodbine ([bobymcbobs](http://bobymcbobs/))
- Cole Wagner ([cjwagner](https://github.com/cjwagner))
- Davanum Srinivas ([dims](https://github.com/dims))
- Hippie Hacker ([hh](https://github.com/hh))
- Justin Santa Barbara ([justinsb](https://github.com/justinsb))
- Koray Oksay ([koksay](https://github.com/koksay))
- Linus Arver ([listx](https://github.com/listx))
- Mahamed Ali ([upodroid](https://github.com/upodroid))
- Marko Mudrinić ([xmudrii](https://github.com/xmudrii))
- Michelle Shepardson ([michelle192837](https://github.com/michelle192837))
- Patryk Przekwas ([pkprzekwas](https://github.com/pkprzekwas))
- Ricky Sadowski ([rjsadow](https://github.com/rjsadow))
- Tim Hockin ([thockin](https://github.com/thockin))

### 2023

#### 2023 Top End User

- [Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation](https://www.cncf.io/announcements/2023/04/21/cncf-presents-top-end-user-award-to-mercedes-benz-tech-innovation/)
- [Spotify](https://www.cncf.io/announcements/2023/11/08/cloud-native-computing-foundation-presents-the-top-end-user-award-to-spotify/)

#### 2023 Top Committer

- Akihiro Suda ([@AkihiroSuda](https://twitter.com/_AkihiroSuda_))

#### 2023 Top Documentarian

- Divya Mohan ([@divya-mohan0209](https://twitter.com/divya_mohan02))

#### 2023 Chop Wood Carry Water

- Kaslin Fields ([@kaslinfields](https://twitter.com/kaslinfields))
- Faseela K ([@kfaseela](https://twitter.com/faseeladilshan))
- Arnaud Meukam ([@ameukam](https://twitter.com/ameukam))
- Lin Sun ([@linsun](https://twitter.com/linsun_unc))
- Rajas Kakodkar ([@RajasKakodkar](https://twitter.com/rajaskakodkar))

#### 2023 The TAGGIE

- Catherine Paganini ([@CathPaga](https://twitter.com/CathPaga))

#### 2023 Small but Mighty

- [Weaveworks](https://www.weave.works/)

### 2022

#### 2022 Top End User

- [Apple](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GIQyQjs36o)
- [Intuit](https://www.cncf.io/announcements/2022/10/26/cloud-native-computing-foundation-recognizes-intuit-as-top-end-user/)

#### 2022 Top Committer

- Carolyn Van Slyck ([@carolynvs](https://github.com/carolynvs))

#### 2022 Top Documentarian

- Catherine Paganini ([@CathPaga](https://twitter.com/CathPaga))
- Rey Lejano ([@reylejano](https://github.com/reylejano))

#### 2022 Chop Wood Carry Water

- Adolfo García Veytia ([@puerco](https://github.com/puerco))
- Alex Chircop ([@chira001](https://github.com/chira001))
- Catherine Paganini ([@CathPaga](https://twitter.com/CathPaga))
- Xing Yang ([@2000xyang](https://twitter.com/2000xyang))
- Patrick Ohly

### 2021

#### 2021 Top End User

- [Spotify](https://www.cncf.io/announcements/2021/05/05/cloud-native-computing-foundation-grants-spotify-the-top-end-user-award/)

#### 2021 Top Ambassador

- [Anaïs Urlichs](https://twitter.com/urlichsanais)

#### 2021 Top Committer

- [Nikhita Raghunath](https://twitter.com/thenikhita)

#### 2021 Top Documentarian

- [Tim Bannister](https://github.com/sftim)

#### 2021 Chop Wood Carry Water

- [Emily Fox](https://twitter.com/TheMoxieFox)
- [Aeva Black](https://twitter.com/aevavoom)
- [Tasha Drew](https://twitter.com/TashaDrew)
- [Carlos Panato](https://twitter.com/comedordexis)
- [Carolyn Van Slyck](https://twitter.com/carolynvs)

### 2020

#### 2020 Top End User

- [Zalando](https://www.cncf.io/announcement/2020/08/20/cloud-native-computing-foundation-grants-zalando-the-top-end-user-award/)

#### 2020 Top Committer

- [Ben Elder](https://twitter.com/BenTheElder)

#### 2020 Top Ambassador

- [Ian Coldwater](https://twitter.com/IanColdwater)

#### 2020 Chop Wood Carry Water

- [Bridget Kromhout](https://twitter.com/bridgetkromhout)
- [Erin Boyd](https://twitter.com/erinaboyd)
- [Josh Berkus](https://twitter.com/fuzzychef)
- [Matt Fisher](https://twitter.com/bacongobbler)
- [Richard Hartmann](https://twitter.com/TwitchiH)

### 2019

#### 2019 Top Ambassador

- [Lachlan Evenson](https://twitter.com/LachlanEvenson)

#### 2019 Top Committer

- [Frederic Branczyk](https://twitter.com/fredbrancz)

#### 2019 Chop Wood Carry Water

- [Reda Benzair](https://twitter.com/BenzairReda)
- [Katharine Berry](https://twitter.com/KatharineBerry)
- [Karen Chu](https://twitter.com/karenhchu)
- [Bob Killen](https://twitter.com/MrBobbyTables)
- [Yang Li](https://twitter.com/idealhack)
- [张丽颖 Liying (Vivian) Zhang](https://twitter.com/Vivian_zly7755)

#### 2019 Top End User

- [DiDi](https://www.cncf.io/announcement/2019/06/24/cloud-native-computing-foundation-announces-didi-as-winner-of-top-end-user-award/)
- [Intuit](https://www.cncf.io/announcement/2019/05/21/cloud-native-computing-foundation-announces-intuit-as-winner-of-top-end-user-award/)

### 2018

#### 2018 Top Ambassador

- [Michael Hausenblas](https://twitter.com/mhausenblas)

#### 2018 Top Committer

- [Jordan Liggitt](https://twitter.com/liggitt)

#### 2018 Chop Wood Carry Water

- [Davanum Srinivas](https://twitter.com/dims)
- [Dianne Mueller](https://twitter.com/pythondj)
- [Christoph Blecker](https://twitter.com/tophee)
- [Nikhita Raghunath](https://twitter.com/thenikhita)
- [Paris Pittman](https://twitter.com/parisbmore)
- [Richard Hartmann](https://twitter.com/twitchih)
- [Tim Pepper](https://twitter.com/pythomit)
- [Stephen Augustus](https://twitter.com/stephenaugustus)
- [Kris Nova](https://twitter.com/krisnova)
- [Zach Arnold](https://twitter.com/zparnold)
- [Reinhard Nägele](https://twitter.com/unguiculus)
- [Babak “Bobby” Salamat](https://github.com/bsalamat)
- [Jorge Castro](https://twitter.com/castrojo)
- [April Kyle Nassi](https://twitter.com/thisisnotapril)

#### 2018 Top End User

- [Bloomberg](https://www.cncf.io/announcement/2018/05/02/cloud-native-computing-foundation-announces-bloomberg-as-winner-of-top-end-user-award/)
- [JD.com](https://www.cncf.io/announcement/2018/11/14/jd-wins-top-end-user-award/)

### 2017

#### 2017 Top Ambassador

- [Lucas Käldström](https://twitter.com/kubernetesonarm)
- [Sarah Novotny](https://twitter.com/sarahnovotny)

#### 2017 Top Committer

- [Clayton Coleman](https://twitter.com/smarterclayton)

#### 2017 Chop Wood Carry Water Award

- [Dan Gillespie](https://twitter.com/ethernetdan)
- [Dawn Chen](https://github.com/dchen1107)
- [Jaice Singer Dumars](https://twitter.com/jaydumars)
- [Anthony Yeh](https://twitter.com/enisoc)
- [Brandon Philips](https://twitter.com/brandonphilips)
- [Julius Volz](https://twitter.com/juliusvolz)

### 2016

#### 2016 Top Ambassador

- [Kelsey Hightower](https://twitter.com/kelseyhightower)

#### 2016 Top Committer

- [Tim Hockin](https://twitter.com/thockin)
- [Fabian Reinartz](https://twitter.com/fabxc)