Are you a Wrike user who’s helped your team work smarter, collaborate better, or just get more done? The Wrike Elite 100 Awards are back for 2025, and we want to celebrate YOU! Whether you’re a seasoned admin or just getting started, your story could inspire others and open new doors for your career.
The Wrike Elite 100 program recognizes Wrike users who make a real impact, whether that’s through driving innovation, streamlining processes, or excelling at collaboration. One of last year’s winners, Mitchell Bausch, stood out for his ability to bridge gaps between departments, foster a culture of communication and cooperation, and bring people together to drive impactful work forward.
Mitchell Bausch, who was Assistant Director at Texas A&M University at the time of the award decisions, won our Collaboration award due to the impact he drove across his organization. Mitchell has now moved roles to serve as Associate Director of Communications Strategy and Operations at Duke University, where he is leading Wrike implementation.
Mitchell focused intensely on connecting the human chain by allowing Wrike to orchestrate multiple processes through both structured and unstructured collaboration approaches at Texas A&M.
I sat down with Mitchell to better understand the Elite 100 application process. If you’re thinking of applying, you won’t want to miss this post!
Q: How did you first hear about the Elite 100 Awards, and what made you want to participate?
I can’t remember if it was an email or a social post, but I’m very engaged with the Wrike Community. I’ve used Wrike since 2017, and it’s followed me through several jobs. I’d presented for Wrike before, so I thought I’d throw my hat in the ring.
Q: Why do you think it’s important for Wrike users to contribute and share their experiences?
Technology is evolving so fast, especially in higher ed. I see people reinventing the wheel all the time, and we don’t have time for that. I’ve learned so much from others in the Wrike Community, and I’ve been able to adapt and improve my own processes. Sharing helps everyone move faster and more efficiently.
Q: How did it feel to be part of the Elite 100, and then a category winner?
Being in the top 100 was validating. I’ve been part of the Wrike Community for a while, so it felt good to be recognized. Winning the Collaboration award was a surprise, and it led to a lot of visibility through press releases, people reaching out from across Texas A&M to congratulate me, and even consulting opportunities.
The biggest surprise was what happened after Collaborate 2024. My presentation there caught the attention of Duke University, and they reached out to me directly. That connection led to my current role, helping Duke implement Wrike. It’s amazing how sharing your story can open doors you never expected.
Q: What would you say to someone who’s not sure if they should apply?
You don’t have to be using the newest features or be a “super user.” I presented on how I integrated Wrike with other tools and focused on connecting the human side of work. The most important thing is how you’re making an impact, not just the technology. If you’ve helped your team work better, your story matters.
Q: What makes a good Elite 100 submission?
The questions are well written and prompt you to reflect on your experiences. I tried to be comprehensive and included examples from different teams. It didn’t take long to complete — maybe one sitting after thinking about it for a few days.
Q: What are the biggest benefits of participating in the Elite 100?
Personally, it brought a lot of visibility and learning opportunities. For my organization at the time, it helped us consider Wrike at an enterprise level and gave me the chance to help Duke University implement it in a more structured way. The excitement around Wrike is high, and it’s helping us work more efficiently.
Q: Any final thoughts or plans for the future?
I want members of my team to become super users and maybe win an award themselves. I’m excited to keep learning and sharing with the Wrike community.
Are you ready to share your story?
Mitchell’s journey shows that you don’t need to be a Wrike expert to make a difference — or to be recognized for it. If you’ve helped your team collaborate, innovate, or just get more done, we want to hear from you!
You can apply for the 2025 Wrike Elite 100 today by submitting your nomination here.
