Celine Clay Named Community Contributor of the Year at the 2026 B2B eCommerce Industry Awards

At the 2026 B2B eCommerce Industry Awards Asia-Pacific, many of the awards presented recognised outstanding projects, transformation programs, business results and individual leadership.

The Community Contributor of the Year Award is a little different.

It recognises the people who help build the industry around them.

This year, that recognition went to Celine Clay from Lactalis.

A contribution built over many years

Celine's recognition isn't based on a single project or something she has achieved over the past 12 months.

Since the early days of the B2B eCommerce Association, Celine has been there.

She shows up.

She has consistently attended Association events, contributed to industry conversations and been one of the first people willing to put her hand up when the Association has wanted to try something new.

Whether it has been testing new initiatives, providing honest feedback, contributing her experience or helping bring other people into the community, Celine has demonstrated what active participation in an industry community looks like.

She has also been an important advocate within her own organisation, helping connect the opportunities, ideas and relationships being created through the Association back into Lactalis.

But perhaps most importantly, Celine has always been willing to share.

B2B digital transformation can be challenging. Many manufacturers and distributors are working through similar issues around technology, customer adoption, organisational change, data, digital capability and leadership.

Progress happens faster when practitioners are prepared to openly share what they have learned with others.

Celine has consistently done exactly that.

Helping create opportunities for others

Celine's contribution has also extended beyond her own participation.

She actively encourages others to become involved, makes introductions and looks for opportunities to bring new voices and perspectives into the community.

A recent example was her contribution to the Association's Women in B2B initiative.

Celine helped connect the Association with Dr. Kim Oosthuizen, Head of AI at Bupa, who delivered the keynote at the Women in B2B Breakfast during B2B eCommerce World Asia-Pacific 2026.

The breakfast brought together women from across manufacturing, distribution, technology and digital commerce for a discussion around leadership, AI and the changing future of work.

It was another example of how one community member making an introduction or opening a door can create an experience that benefits many others.

What makes a strong industry community?

Communities aren't built by organisations alone.

They're built by people who give more than they take, who invest in others, and who genuinely want to see the entire industry move forward.

Celine embodies that spirit.

The B2B eCommerce Association exists to connect and develop the people leading digital commerce and transformation across manufacturing and distribution. For that community to work, it requires practitioners who are prepared not only to participate, but to contribute.

That might mean sharing a lesson from a transformation project.

It might mean speaking at an event, participating in research, testing a new Association initiative, introducing another practitioner or simply helping someone in the community who is facing a challenge you've encountered before.

Over many years, Celine has done all of these things.

That sustained contribution is why the B2B eCommerce Association was proud to recognise Celine Clay of Lactalis as the 2026 B2B eCommerce Industry Awards Asia-Pacific Community Contributor of the Year.

Congratulations, Celine, and thank you for continuing to invest your time, experience and knowledge into the B2B eCommerce Association community.