Baldrige Foundation Honors Leadership Achievements with 2025 Awards Ceremony Announcements
The Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recently unveiled the esteemed recipients of the 2025 Leadership Awards, led by President and CEO Al Faber. This annual announcement is significant, as it recognizes exceptional individuals who embody the leadership and management values promoted by the Baldrige Foundation. Emphasizing the importance of quality and innovation, Faber stated, "We are excited to recognize world-class leaders who have made impactful contributions within their sectors and beyond."
Categories of Recognition
The Baldrige Foundation grants awards across several categories, highlighting the accomplishments of outstanding leaders, supporters, and individuals who have applied the values of the Baldrige community effectively.
1. E. David Spong Lifetime Achievement Award - This prestigious award is set to honor remarkable individuals whose extraordinary service has transformed the world and motivated others. In 2025, two notable recipients were selected:
- Jo Ann Jenkins: The former CEO of AARP, Jenkins's leadership has left an indelible mark on one of the largest nonprofit organizations globally. Her utilization of Baldrige principles in guiding AARP showcases how effective leadership can profoundly affect millions.
- Alan Mulally: Renowned for his influential roles at Boeing and Ford, Mulally developed the 'Working Together Leadership and Management System' to align with the Baldrige Framework, demonstrating how committed leadership can rally teams towards excellence.
2. Harry S. Hertz Leadership Award - This award spotlights leaders who inspire and empower their teams to attain peak performance. Brian R. Dieter, CEO of Mary Greeley Medical Center, is the recipient for his unwavering commitment to servant leadership, utilizing the Baldrige Framework to drive health improvements in Iowa communities.
3. Foundation Awards for Leadership Excellence - This category recognizes those who have significantly contributed to sustaining the Baldrige mission across various sectors. The recipients for 2025 include:
- Government: Notable figures like Paul F. Cambon and U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty.
- Cybersecurity: Recognized leaders such as Chris DeRusha and Edward J. Gaudet.
- Business: Honorees like Robert "Craig" Fairlee and Sachin Kumar Garg.
- Nonprofit: Exceptional contributions from Kimberlee Humphrey and Denise Shields.
- Education: Recognizing figures such as Professor Mubarak Alkhatnai and Dr. Robert Garza.
- Health Care: Leaders like David Navazio and Eugene Woods marked for their innovations in service delivery.
- Community: Individuals like Angela Brandt and Dr. Renee Rodriguez-Goodemote, who have driven local health initiatives.
4. Dr. Curt Reimann Baldrige Scholarship - This scholarship supports future scholars participating in Baldrige training. In 2025, recipients such as Dr. Emad Rahim and Samantha Tyler were recognized for their academic contributions and commitment to promoting the Baldrige Framework.
Awards Ceremony Details
The 2025 Baldrige Leadership Awards will be presented during the Foundation Awards Ceremony at the annual Quest for Excellence® conference in Baltimore, MD, on April 1, 2025. This gathering serves as a platform to celebrate excellence across various sectors and inspire future leaders to adopt Baldrige principles.
For further inquiries about the awards or the conference, interested parties can contact Mark Wayda at 614-600-0432 or via email.
About the Baldrige Foundation
Founded as the private partner to the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program in 1988, the Baldrige Foundation supports and promotes organizational performance excellence throughout the United States and worldwide. The Program, managed within the U.S. Department of Commerce, is responsible for overseeing the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award process. To learn more about the Baldrige Award, visit their official website.