The 2026 Leadership Award Recipients: Celebrating Excellence Across Sectors
The 2026 Leadership Award Recipients: Celebrating Excellence Across Sectors
The Malcolm Baldrige Foundation has officially announced the distinguished recipients of the Leadership Awards for the year 2026. This prestigious announcement was made by Josh Racette, the Foundation's President and CEO, in a ceremony that highlights individuals whose leadership embodies the principles that define the Baldrige framework. The awards recognize leaders from a variety of industries, reflecting a broad spectrum of contributions made to enhance organizational performance and community welfare.
David Spong Lifetime Achievement Award
One of the standout awards is the E. David Spong Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions that have significantly impacted the world. This year, the award is presented to Governor Bill Anoatubby of the Chickasaw Nation. Under his visionary leadership, the Chickasaw Nation has implemented robust management systems and a long-term strategic vision that has yielded remarkable outcomes across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and economic development. Governor Anoatubby’s commitment to excellence and accountability serves as an inspiring model for leadership within the Baldrige community.
Harry S. Hertz Leadership Award
Another notable recognition is the Harry S. Hertz Leadership Award, which celebrates exemplary leaders who inspire and empower others toward excellence. This year's laureate, Margot Hoffman, Ph.D., serves as the President and CEO of The Partnership for Excellence. Dr. Hoffman has played a pivotal role in fortifying the Baldrige framework at multiple levels—state, national, and organizational. Her leadership has been instrumental in guiding organizations to implement practical management systems while enhancing examiner capabilities and fostering collaboration across different sectors.
Foundation Awards for Leadership Excellence
The Foundation Awards for Leadership Excellence are crucial in recognizing individuals from various fields including Business, Nonprofit, Government, Healthcare, and Education, who provide significant support to the mission of Baldrige. The recipients span a wide array of sectors, showing the foundation's commitment to promoting excellence in different domains:
Government
- - Dell Anderson, Executive Director at Renew - Grant Behavioral Health & Wellness
- - Dawn Bailey, Program Manager/Senior Technical Writer, Baldrige Executive Fellows Program
Cybersecurity
- - Dr. Chase Cunningham, Chief Strategy Officer at Demo-Force/DrZeroTrust
- - Dr. Calvin Nobles, Portfolio Vice President at the University of Maryland Global Campus
Business
- - Kay Kendall, CEO at BaldrigeCoach
- - Tamer Mohamed Nabil, CEO at Sterling International
Nonprofit
- - Dione Geiger, President of The Sterling Council
- - Dr. Manu K. Vora, Founder of Blind Foundation for India
Education
- - Michael Fors, Dean at City University of Seattle
- - Dr. Sureshchandar G.S., Adjunct Professor at KREA University
Healthcare
- - Kurt A. Barwis, President at Bristol Hospital
- - Jerimiah J. Hodshire, President at Hillsdale Hospital
- - C. Daniel Mullins, Executive Director at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
- - Rick E. Smith, CEO at Troy Regional Medical Center
- - Ron Smith, Director of Performance Excellence at Mary Greeley Medical Center
Community
- - David Harrawood, President at Baldrige Group, LLC
- - Chari S. Mullen, Principal Consultant at CSM Practical Solutions
Dr. Curt Reimann Baldrige Scholarship
In addition to these awards, the Foundation is pleased to announce the Dr. Curt Reimann Baldrige Scholarship, aimed at nurturing the next generation of Baldrige scholars and practitioners. This scholarship assists graduate students in attending Baldrige Examiner training, furthering the understanding and application of the Baldrige Framework. The recipients of the 2026 scholarship are:
- - Jill de Jesus, RR Solutions Delivery Specialist at Syneos Health
- - Dr. Maria R. Mondala-Duncan, Senior Management Analyst, City of Simi Valley, CA
Conclusion
The Leadership Awards will be formally presented at the annual Quest for Excellence Conference, scheduled for March 31, 2026, in Baltimore, Maryland. These awards not only celebrate leadership excellence but also reaffirm the importance of the Baldrige Framework in enhancing organizational and community success. The Foundation extends its heartfelt congratulations to all award recipients for their dedication and impactful service.
Topics General Business）
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