Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd., a global leader in compassionate customer care and specialized debt recovery collection solutions, was recently named the winner of a Silver Stevie® Award in the AI Implementation of the Year category in The 24^th Annual American Business Awards®.

More than 3,600 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including Startup of the Year, Executive of the Year, Thought Leader of the Year, and App of the Year, among others.

Phillips & Cohen Associates was recognized for transforming financial services through its innovative use of AI-powered learning, embedding the Clever Nelly of Elephants Don’t Forget platform across its global operations to deliver continuous, personalized training and continually develop competence for use in-role. This initiative drove measurable results, including a 14.6% improvement in quality scoring, a 15.6% increase in agent competence, and $1.5 million in annual savings. Most notably, the program reinforced Phillips & Cohen Associates’ commitment to compassionate service, enhancing both compliance and empathy in end-of-life administration.

“We’re incredibly honored to receive this recognition, which reflects our team’s commitment to combining innovation with empathy in everything we do,” said Nick Cherry, Divisional CEO of Phillips & Cohen Associates. “By investing in technologies that strengthen both compliance and human connection, we are both improving outcomes for our clients and ensuring we continue to serve families with the dignity and care they deserve.”

One notable comment from the judges stated, “Phillips & Cohen Associates is doing something really special here. Dealing with debt after a loved one passes away is one of the hardest conversations a human can have, and using AI to make sure those agents are as empathetic and prepared as possible is a fantastic use of technology. It’s a great example of  ‘Responsible AI’ that actually pays for itself.”

Elephants Don’t Forget’s CEO, Dan Gray, had this to add, “This award is a true testament of the power of Clever Nelly in the right hands. We’re proud of our partnership with Phillips & Cohen Associates, they are a true pioneer of innovation when it comes to understanding and improving employee competence and the well-being of their people. They have a multi-award-winning application of Clever Nelly and have played a key role in the development of our platform, resulting in increased value across all industries that we serve.”

More than 250 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s Stevie Award winners.

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2026 Stevie winners are available at www.ABA.StevieAwards.com.

About Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd.

Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd. built its reputation in the credit industry by providing specialized, compassionate engagement services to clients. Focusing on customer care, compliance, and innovation, Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd. delivers solutions that support businesses while maintaining sensitivity and professionalism in all interactions. To learn more, visit https://phillips-cohen.com/.

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