HireSmart Virtual Employees’ Dec. 13 awards ceremony revolved around one major theme: a team taking service to the next level. 

The global party, which involved dancing, drumming, and time to chat with co-workers, brought together team members from across times zones to celebrate exceptional performance in 2025 among HSVE’s large virtual workforce. 

This year’s top prize went to a familiar face, Christy S., who earned Top VE honors for the second time in her career, having previously won in 2020. She is the first two-time Top VE in HireSmart’s 11-year history. 

“Year after year, when I meet anybody in her office, literally, they can’t stop talking about her, which is a good thing,” said HireSmart Co-founder Anne Lackey about the praise Christy gets from her clients. “Congratulations, Christy! Thank you for what you do!” 

Christy’s U.S. clients said she provides wonderful service to the organization in a friendly and thoughtful way. 

“She is extremely reliable and always communicates with a positive attitude,” her client said. “She has a can-do approach with a smile on her face. She always asks about my son, and I love seeing her family photos as well.” 

Reisanne “Mik” Camille S. took home the Top VE Newbie award after demonstrating remarkable dedication during a challenging year. When a typhoon hit her family’s home, she traveled to an island with electricity to continue working without being asked. 

“When the typhoon hit her family’s home, she took it upon herself to get to an island that had electricity to continue to work without being asked. With something so tragic happening in her personal life, she never missed a beat in her work. She kept a positive attitude and instead was grateful to have a job than focusing on the tragedy that was happening,” her client said. 

Core Values Recognition 

The company recognized seven employees for embodying HireSmart’s SMARTER core values: Service, Mindfulness, Availability, Respect, Teamwork, Ethics & Integrity, and Relationships. 

Belle M. received the Service award after mastering more than 50 new software tools and platforms in the past year. During a recent typhoon that flooded the bottom floor of her home, she refused paid time off and continued delivering top-tier work. 

“Belle consistently sets the gold standard for what it means to be a top-tier Virtual Employee,” her client said. In just the past year, she’s mastered over 50 new software tools and app platforms — without hesitation, without complaint. Her positivity is infectious, her work ethic unstoppable, and her contributions absolutely essential.” 

Kathlene “Claire” B. earned the Mindful award for her exceptional customer service. After her scheduled work hours one evening, she logged back in to help a tenant experiencing issues with a storage unit, then followed up the next day to ensure everything remained resolved. 

“Claire consistently goes above and beyond in every interaction. She is exceptionally kind, patient, and attentive, and she makes every process easier simply by the way she handles it. Her professionalism is matched only by her warmth, and she genuinely improves the experience for everyone she helps,” her client said. 

Krysta L. earned the Available award for her exceptional growth and dedication to the listing department. 

“Krysta has developed into an outstanding employee,” her client said. Her hard work helps keep the progression of the listing department. She has placed her work ethic on top tier recently and has almost doubled her output.” 

Hannah A. received the Respectful award for her proactive approach and commitment to process improvement. 

“Hannah has been an incredible asset to our team and consistently goes above and beyond to support us,” her client said. “She anticipates needs before they arise and always approaches her work with care and critical thinking. While many people simply follow workflows, Hannah looks for ways to make them better.” 

May Ann S. earned the Team award after joining HireSmart in October 2023 as her client’s first Virtual Employee and setting the standard for excellence.

“Ann joined our team as our very first Virtual Employee, and from the very beginning, she set the standard for excellence. Recently, she was promoted to Senior Data Miner, a role that recognizes her leadership and deep knowledge of our business. Ann embodies what every organization hopes for in a remote employee: dependable, proactive, and deeply invested in both her personal growth and the success of the team,” her client said. 

Eliakim “Kim” M. received the Ethics & Integrity award for her exceptional professionalism and problem-solving abilities. 

“Kim is an absolute rockstar,” her client said. “She is motivated, organized, intelligent, respectful to everyone on the team and to the clients, always on time, and most importantly she is resourceful and can solve problems on her own. Her consistency in maintaining professional dialogue with clients regardless of the client’s demeanor is her superpower.” 

Mia A. earned the Relationships award for her adaptability and client-focused approach. 

“Mia is a valuable member of the team,” her client said. “She is adaptable, reliable, punctual, and highly productive. Mia is always ready and willing to help; she takes action before she is asked to do something and has the client experience at top of mind.” 

“It’s important that you get nominated by your client,” said Anne to the entire HireSmart team. “The people that are nominated all the time get rewarded. I’m super proud of each and every one of you that got these awards. Thank you for the job you do for your client.” 

Ceremony attendees didn’t just learn about award winners for 2025, they also had a breakout session for socializing, sharing their Christmas traditions with each other. The event also featured an interactive South African drumming experience led by Natalie S., founder and CEO of Drum Cafe North America, an organizational psychologist and speaker who uses interactive drumming for corporate team building and leadership development. 

Company Initiatives and Growth 

Anne reported that HireSmart Cares, the company’s nonprofit arm, has helped over 11,000 children in the U.S. and the Philippines. This past year, the organization provided 31 educational scholarships to children of Filipino employees to attend private school. Scholarships are available for up to four years, with four new slots opening next year. 

Anne also announced a new six-week AI training course for virtual employees, following a poll in which VEs voted for AI training over another SMARTER Leadership Class. Participants must commit to staying with HireSmart for at least one year after completing the course. 

“My expectation is that you’re going to work with us for another year at a minimum,” said Anne. “And so there is going to be what we call a callback clause that says, ‘Hey, I’m committed to HireSmart, and I’m willing to stay here a year to get this training.'” 

Ner Jan “Nerry” R., the 2024 HSVE Top VE, again won “Referral Queen” in 2025 after referring over 100 new virtual employees to HireSmart. Nerry also attended the SMARTER Leadership Class for a second time in 2025, this time as an instruction assistant for Anne. SMARTER Leadership graduates in 2025 included Sarah O., Ruby Ann G., Belle M., Rebecca A., Camille Kate B., Ma. France Cheska C., Andie B., Ann Christine E., Leah P., Jeizle Joyce B., Lyn Sta. A. 

“You have definitely shaped my leadership, my heart and my perspective in all things,” Nerry told Anne. “Because of you, because of the training program, because of this management, I am no longer bound to my past, and I believe I now walk into the future with courage, hope and purpose.” 

The company also launched a retirement plan after four and a half years of development. The program includes financial literacy and budget planning assistance. 

“This is how you’re going to change your future,” said Anne. “This is how you’re going to impact your long-term goals.” 

She emphasized her availability to all employees, encouraging them to schedule face-to-face meetings through meetwithanne.com. 

“If you need me, we are available to you, and that is sincere,” she said. “We are trying truly to come alongside you to support you. We care about you.” 

Years of Service Recognitions 

VEs were also honored for their years of service. They included: 

• Five Years of Service:Patricia Camille C., Ma. Cristina V., Jomelyn R., Goldynluck E., Ma. Florence Q., Wilanne Joy V., Beverly F., Caryll Sharis H., Irish Gayle P., Jamella Shane E., Hannah O., Arabella Rina Rosa D., Sheryl G., Dale Anthoneth S., Auribel Y., Arnolive P., Bianca B., Princess An Jamil C., Gretchel C. 
• Six Years of Service:Rebecca A., Raquel Vincenta E., Irishiela R., Nica Joyce L., Rachel A. – Donaire, Rosario A., Crislyn Joyce M., April Joy M., Raisina Yolene E., Charlene G., Richan N., Mary Anne T., Ma Isabel L., Bonibel P. 
• Seven Years of Service:Benesa G., Geryll G., Khira Renel C. 
• Eight Years of Service:Christy Clyde S. 
• Nine Years of Service:Hannah A., Sheena Grace L. 
• 11 Years of Service:Theriza L. 

All virtual employees received smart watches as gifts from the company. The Top VE and Top VE Newbie winners, were awarded new laptops. Core values award winners and SMARTER Leadership graduates received power stations. Alona A. won the Fastest Response prize for being the first to sign up for the party. 

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