Celebration of Excellence in Digital Investigations
On April 16, 2026, the annual C2C User Summit in Tysons Corner, Virginia, was a significant event for Cellebrite DI Ltd. (Nasdaq: CLBT), a prominent leader in AI-driven solutions for digital investigations. During this summit, the company revealed the 20 winners of its prestigious JUSTYS Award, highlighting exceptional efforts in the realm of digital investigations and intelligence.
Held at the opulent Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C., the event rolled out the orange carpet to honor the brightest minds and skilled professionals from both the public and private sectors. Thomas E. Hogan, the CEO of Cellebrite, expressed the significance of the JUSTYS Awards, stating, “This is our core event where we celebrate individuals devoted to protecting their communities, nations, and enterprises.” He acknowledged the courage, dedication, and passion required for such work and gave special thanks to Cellebrite employees who contributed funds to recognize the winners.
In a heartfelt gesture, Cellebrite employees collectively donated $67,500 to support families of police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. This contribution benefits organizations such as Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) in the USA and Care of Police Survivors in the UK. Sara Slone, the public relations leader from C.O.P.S. (U.S.), remarked on the importance of such contributions in helping provide support to those affected by tragedies in law enforcement. Similarly, Lisa Meads, CEO of Care of Police Survivors (U.K.), conveyed her gratitude for Cellebrite's commitment to its mission and the families at its heart.
The gala was hosted by Jesse Weber, a legal analyst and anchor at Law & Crime Network, and streamed live to an audience of more than 7.5 million subscribers on their YouTube channel. The evening's honored winners were selected from a pool of numerous nominees, as determined by a panel of experts in digital forensics and investigative work. Notably, this year saw double the number of winners compared to the previous ceremony in 2025, thanks to the inclusion of new categories and private-sector participation. The winners included:
- - Rising Star Award: Celebrating outstanding newcomers in digital forensics, winners were Jonathan Adams (public sector) and Jesse Lao (private sector).
- - Voice for the Voiceless: Recognizing those who have given survivors a voice through digital forensics. Winners included Eric Landamia (public) and Patrick Eller (private).
- - Champions for Kids: Acknowledging exceptional courage in protecting children. Winner was Taylor Sines, a survivor and advocate.
- - Mentor of the Year: Highlighting mentors who propel the next generation of digital forensics professionals. Winners were Elizabeth Marsden (public sector) and Bill Aycock (private sector).
- - Design Partner of the Year: Honoring significant contributions to Cellebrite's solutions. Winners included Kent Nielsen (public) and Jonathan Edwards (private).
- - Digital Bridge Builder: Celebrating initiatives connecting various law enforcement agencies. Winner was Ralph Henderson.
- - Digital Investigations Catalyst: Awarding leaders who promote collaboration and meaningful change. Winner was Wayne Cantrell.
- - Community Guardian Award: Recognizing programs enhancing community safety. Winner was Geraldine Blay, alongside K-9 Storm and K-9 Siri.
- - Excellence in eDiscovery: For technical expertise in criminal investigations. Winner was Kirk Crabb.
- - Excellence in Digital Forensics: Honoring outstanding investigators in digital forensics. Winners were Edward Dalton (North America), Lim Tuan Liang (APAC), Mateus De Castro Polastro (LATAM), Johann Polewczyk (EMEA).
- - Enterprise Innovator of the Year: Acknowledging innovations that drive success. Winner was Bill Aycock.
- - Case of the Year: Celebrating a landmark investigation. Winners were Claire Hardisty and Laura Boothroyd from Operation Spy of Lancashire Police.
This awards ceremony wrapped up an entire week of events at the C2C User Summit, where nearly 500 organizations from law enforcement, defense, intelligence, and private sectors from around 30 countries gathered. Attendees participated in high-caliber training sessions and keynote speeches, including one from actor and former NFL player Terry Crews. Additionally, there was an investigative seminar on the tragic case of a quadruple murder of students in Idaho, featuring digital forensics experts from the FBI and Cellebrite.
Cellebrite's commitment to advancing digital investigative solutions solidifies its position as a global leader in protecting communities and organizations. With more than 7,000 customers worldwide relying on its AI-powered software, Cellebrite facilitates over 1.5 million legally approved investigations annually, enhancing public safety and operational efficiency through pioneering technology. To learn more about Cellebrite, visit
www.cellebrite.com.