Last year, the AB50C Awards honored 50 exceptional leaders. But who are they beyond their roles? We spoke with these leaders to uncover the stories, passions, and perspectives that shape them and what truly sets them apart.

Why She's an AB50C Champion

Claire van Zwietan embodies the kind of leader who doesn't wait for solutions, she builds them. From launching alumni-led initiatives to creating meaningful connections across a global community, her people-first approach earned her recognition as the AB50C Rookie Champion.

Beyond the Title

Before working with alumni, Claire spent much of her career focused on empowerment.

"I have a lot of experience empowering people. A lot of my professional experience in doing that was actually with children."

Eventually, that passion for helping people grow merged with another interest: technology.

Today, she works with a global community of Internet Society alumni, supporting some of the internet's brightest advocates, changemakers, and innovators.

One of the more unexpected details she shared?

Claire used to be a competitive cheerleader.

In fact, she credits that experience with helping her understand her role in advancement.

"When I first entered this job, I was like, 'Oh, I'm just a cheerleader for the experts and movers and shakers of the internet.'"

It's a surprisingly fitting description. Because whether she's encouraging alumni, connecting them with opportunities, or helping them bring new ideas to life, Claire's work is rooted in helping others succeed.

What Winning AB50C Meant to Her

When Claire first heard her name announced as the winner of the AB50C Rookie Champion Award, her reaction wasn't immediate excitement.

It was confusion. The surprise quickly gave way to something deeper: gratitude.

"I was shocked. I was surprised, but mostly very honoured."

For someone still early in both her advancement journey and her professional career, the recognition carried special significance. It wasn't simply about receiving an award—it was validation from a community she had worked hard to learn from and contribute to.

Claire credits much of her success to the people around her—the colleagues, mentors, and advancement professionals who helped her navigate an unfamiliar field when she first entered it. That's why being recognized by that same professional community felt particularly meaningful.

And as for the Rookie title? She believes it fit perfectly.

The award may recognize what Claire has accomplished so far, but if her curiosity, passion for people, and drive to create opportunities are any indication, it's likely only the beginning of her story.

Finding Her Way Into Advancement

Claire didn't intentionally set out to work in advancement.

When she joined the Internet Society, she found herself entering an entirely new field.

Rather than pretending she had all the answers, Claire did what great community-builders do: she leaned into the community.

She reached out to advancement professionals she knew, asked questions, studied best practices, and spent time understanding the challenges and opportunities that define the profession. The moment advancement truly clicked for her came through a simple but powerful realization.

She began meeting alumni who were incredibly talented and motivated but who were missing one final piece needed to achieve their goals. Helping people find that missing puzzle piece became one of the most rewarding aspects of her work.

Today, Claire serves as an Alumni Specialist at the Internet Society, where much of her work revolves around creating opportunities for connection and collaboration.

Recently, she's been leading Regional Forums that bring together alumni from different parts of the world to discuss internet advocacy priorities and share expertise. She's also responsible for pairing fellows with alumni mentors, carefully matching people based on their goals, experiences, languages, and regions.

As she puts it:

"I'm a connector."

The Work That Matters

Ask Claire what she loves most about her work and the answer is immediate:

"The continuous learning."

Despite not coming from a technical background, she spends her days surrounded by internet experts, policy advocates, and industry leaders tackling some of the world's most complex challenges.

For Claire, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new.

"When you talk to someone who's really passionate about something, that passion is so infectious."

Whether it's community connectivity, internet governance, or emerging technologies, she finds energy in the incredible knowledge that exists within her community.

That curiosity is also shaping her future goals.

Looking ahead, Claire hopes to deepen her expertise in internet policy, trust, and online safety areas she believes will play an increasingly important role in shaping digital communities.

It's a natural next step for someone who is constantly looking for new ways to support the people and communities she serves.

AI, Humanity, and the Future of Advancement

At the Internet Society, conversations about AI often focus on trust, safety, and its impact on the internet's core infrastructure.

But Claire doesn't see AI replacing advancement professionals anytime soon.

While AI can improve efficiency, she believes the heart of advancement lies in understanding people's goals, building trust, and creating meaningful relationships, things that remain deeply human.

An Initiative She's Proud Of

One of Claire's proudest accomplishments is helping launch an alumni-led podcast.

What made it special wasn't just the outcome—it was the ownership.

"The idea was driven by alumni. The execution was driven by alumni."

Claire helped provide the structure and support needed to bring the idea to life, while alumni remained firmly in the driver's seat.

Today, the team is already exploring what a second season might look like.

For Claire, it's a perfect example of what can happen when institutions empower their communities rather than simply engaging them.

Rapid Fire

Building the Future of Advancement

Claire's story is a reminder that advancement is ultimately about people helping people.

Whether she's connecting mentors with fellows, championing alumni-led ideas, or creating opportunities for others to thrive, her work is rooted in one simple belief: meaningful connections can change lives. And that's exactly what makes her a champion.

As Humans of Advancement continues to spotlight the people shaping our profession, stories like Claire's remind us why this work matters and why the future of advancement will always be powered by human connection.