Our purpose is to make a genuine human impact, for our clients and their customers, and our employees. Our values are shorthand for who we are and what we stand for, and they influence the behaviors and decisions we make each day. One of those core values is “we believe everyone counts”, and we show this every day with the help of our career advisers.

Each of us has a career adviser; the person who is our single point of contact and “guiding light” within Avanade. While employees change projects, and also project leads, the career adviser provides continuity during someone’s Avanade journey. They are there to help develop their advisees’ career, to manage their performance and to support their well-being.

So how do we thank them for their human impact to our employees? This year we launched the Career Adviser Distinction Award. We identified 50 best-in-class people leaders across the Avanade world, and we're pleased to showcase our five career adviser winners! We believe everyone counts, so we also celebrated all 3,500 career advisers during CA Appreciation Week at the start of May.

We’re truly grateful to have such talented career advisers who make our people feel inspired, confident and cared for. Thank you for all that you do.

Diego Francisco Jose, Growth Markets, Program Management

Diego is the career adviser that is most attentive, and coaches for career development. He knows how to set expectations and guide his team to success career progression. To have Diego as CA is to know that your career is in good hands.

Jason Parrott, Global Solution Areas, Infrastructure Architecture

By the far he’s the best. Does not sugar coat. Never surprised, gives good direction. Always asking to see if team is interested other opportunities. Stretches his team to give them room to grow. Gives challengers but supports and gives confidence. Hands off but will support when needed. Best manager in 26 years.

Joris Houben, Europe, Program Management

He makes a lot of time to listen and give feedback to his advisees, as well as provide strong coaching for them. He also invests a lot of time in supporting and educating other career advisers. Joris is part of our internal coaching pool, which means that he is available for coaching of not just his own advisees, but all others in the organization. He is there for everyone who needs coaching or just someone who takes the time to listen to them.

Kelly Joslin, North America, User Experience

Kelly has successfully built strong, trusting relationships with her advisees and she puts their growth both personally and professionally at the fore front of their relationships This exemplifies the Avanade ideal through providing a very high level of support and guidance as a career adviser. Kelly Gerding has been one of our mentors to our Lady Scholars at NJIT as well which is a biweekly commitment of time helping create and manage a professional development plan for these undergrads.

Maureen McCann, Corporate Functions, Marketing

She totally invested in her people. Once you are her people, you are HER people! For Maureen, it’s all about making her advisees feel inspired, confident, and cared for. What is always inspiring is her ability to guide the team through challenges with inspiration and encouragement. She trusts her team and helps them build their confidence to reach their full potential.