Honouring Jon, Celebrating Janus: The First Jon Panella Impact Award

Janus on stage receiving Jon Panella Impact Award at MACH X: Amsterdam 2026

There are powerful, solemn moments when our personal and professional lives intersect. When the darkness of grief finds a counterweight in the brilliant light of celebration, and gratitude fills our cup.

I had the privilege of working with Jon Panella while serving on the executive advisory board for the MACH Alliance. We met in person at numerous conferences, but most of our connection was through screens. Even when separated by great distances, his force was undeniable.

When Jon passed away suddenly in March of this year, his loss was felt far and wide. He was a respected leader in our industry, but more than that, a kind and generous soul. He was the sum of our best parts, a pioneering explorer who pushed this MACH experiment from possibility to promise. He was a giant in our small corner of the tech world, and I often marveled at his quiet ability to shape the air in a room with charged positivity.

When it was announced that an award had been established in his name, I could think of no better tribute to a man who elevated all of us. And at last night’s MACH X conference in Amsterdam, my heart was full as my long-time friend and colleague Janus Boye became the first recipient of this hallowed mantle.

For decades, Janus has kept a constant fire burning at the center of our CMS and digital experience community. People, not products, have always been the focus, and his unique peer groups and events have offered a safe sandbox for ideas - drawing in the smartest leaders, founders, and builders working in the digital space and beyond. He has championed accessibility, sustainability, inclusivity, and the raw value of authentic conversations around a wipeboard or in the soft hallways of an art gallery.

But these assemblies have also given a voice to practitioners who often feel disconnected. In this way, he has cultivated what most of us yearn for: a sense of belonging.

A restless explorer, Janus has traveled far and wide to thread the fabric of humanity, fostering a vendor-neutral environment where competitors become cooperators, and a rising tide of inspiration lifts all ships. This is why so many people are connected to this amazing man - and hold a deep reverence for his tireless efforts.

Jon left a mark on all of us. Perhaps his greatest legacy is a challenge to be our best selves. To be in service to something greater than the bottom line. We’re fortunate to have people of great character and substance in this community (like Sana Remekie, Tim Benniks, and Craig Oley). They exemplify the best of Jon. But at this moment, I’m beyond proud to see Janus celebrated for his contributions.

A huge thanks to my friend Jasmin Guthmann for her stirring tribute to both of these remarkable humans.

 

Read Janus's own reflections on receiving the award: