Maribel Rivera and Joy Murao recognized for their exceptional leadership and lasting industry impact.
The Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS) proudly congratulates Maribel Rivera, ACEDS Vice President of Strategy and Client Engagement, on receiving the Catalyst for Change Award, presented by ACEDS partner Women in eDiscovery (WiE) at its first annual 2025 Awards Gala. The award honors sponsors who actively empower women in eDiscovery through advocacy, mentorship, and innovation—and Maribel’s recognition is a powerful testament to her tireless leadership and transformative work within the ACEDS community.
As a driving force behind ACEDS’ global strategy, Maribel has helped shape the future of legal technology by fostering inclusive environments and elevating underrepresented voices. She has been instrumental in growing ACEDS’ international footprint through strategic partnerships, programming that reflects the evolving needs of the industry, and an unwavering focus on member experience. Under her leadership, ACEDS has launched forward-thinking initiatives that support DEI, champion mentorship, and ensure meaningful engagement between legal professionals, solution providers, and emerging talent.
From organizing immersive learning experiences to facilitating thought leadership panels with diverse voices, Maribel has reshaped how the community gathers, learns, and connects. Her work has become a catalyst not just for organizational growth, but for personal empowerment across the industry.
In presenting the award, WiE shared:
“She champions the underdog—she always has. She amplifies the unheard. She makes sure the unseen is seen and supported—at least, by her. And often, by many more, because she brings others along with her. She has reshaped how we gather, how we learn, and how we lead. Her work isn’t just about marketing—it’s about creating events that are experience-changing.”
Through her leadership, Maribel has built and nurtured deep relationships with ACEDS chapters, offering dedicated support and resources to help them flourish. Her efforts have helped elevate the role of local chapters in delivering education, connection, and visibility to eDiscovery professionals at every stage of their careers.
ACEDS also extends heartfelt congratulations to Joy Murao, a dedicated ACEDS Global Advisory Board Member and past President of the ACEDS Los Angeles Chapter, for receiving the WiE Legacy Award. This prestigious honor recognizes a woman who has devoted her career to advancing the field of eDiscovery—and few embody that description more than Joy.
A foundational figure in the legal technology world, Joy is known for her fierce dedication to mentorship, education, and innovation. She has spent over two decades teaching, guiding, and inspiring professionals in eDiscovery, often leading by example and always investing in the success of others. Her influence spans law firms, corporations, service providers, and community organizations, making her a well-respected leader across the industry.
WiE described her as:
“A true pioneer, educator, and advocate; she has dedicated her entire career to advancing the field with integrity, passion, and an unwavering commitment to community.”
“Her name is synonymous with innovation, leadership, and mentorship, and her legacy is already deeply etched into the fabric of this industry.”
“Maribel’s impact on our global community cannot be overstated—she brings people together with purpose, builds bridges between organizations, and makes sure everyone has a seat at the table. Her leadership is bold, thoughtful, and always grounded in the belief that community makes us stronger,” said ACEDS President Michael Quartararo.
“And Joy has long been a beacon in this space—a tireless volunteer and respected voice who has uplifted and guided so many of us. It’s a privilege to celebrate both women and to acknowledge their unique and lasting contributions.”
ACEDS is also proud to recognize and celebrate the achievements of the other 2025 Women in eDiscovery award recipients, whose dedication continues to inspire the eDiscovery community:
- Chapter of the Year: Women in eDiscovery Houston Chapter
- Rising Star: Blair Cohen, Legalpeople
- Visionary Trailblazer: Cat Casey, Reveal
- Community Impact: Emily Bartkowicz, Akerman
- Guiding Light: Rose Singh, Triage Daya Solutions Inc.
- DEI Champion: Hon. Tanya Kennedy
These honorees reflect the passion, vision, and collaborative spirit that define the future of our industry. ACEDS celebrates each of them and remains committed to supporting a legal technology ecosystem where leadership, innovation, and community thrive.
To learn more about ACEDS chapters and how you can get involved in your local eDiscovery community, visit aceds.org/chapters.
About ACEDS
The Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS), part of leading legal education provider BARBRI Global, is the world’s leading organization for training and certification in e-discovery, information governance, and related disciplines. ACEDS provides training to corporate legal departments, law firms, the government, service providers, and institutions of higher learning. Our flagship CEDS certification is recognized worldwide and used to verify skills and competence in electronic discovery for organizations and individuals through training, certification, and continuing education. The CEDS credential is held by practitioners at the largest Fortune 500 companies, Am Law 200 firms and government agencies. ACEDS has 30 chapters in most major US cities, Canada, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Australia. Our goal is to help professionals and organizations reduce the costs and risks associated with e-discovery while helping to improve and verify their skills and advance their careers and overall technology competence in e-discovery and related fields.
