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WGR Annual Awards

2025 Award Nominations Now Open!

Recognize outstanding members and teams who have made significant contributions to WGR. Review the award categories below and submit your nominations.

★ Distinguished Member Award

Celebrating an established member who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, sustained dedication, and significant contributions to the WGR community.

★ Emerging Leader Award

Celebrating a newer member of WGR who demonstrates exceptional potential, innovative ideas, and a commitment to advancing our mission, embodying the future of leadership in our community.

★ Outstanding Task Force

Celebrating a task force that has gone above and beyond to advance our mission and deliver meaningful results.

★ Outstanding Committee

Celebrating a committee that has demonstrated exceptional teamwork and achieved significant accomplishments.

Important Deadlines

  • November 10th: Nominations due for Distinguished Member and Emerging Leader
  • November 21st: Task Force/Committee nominations due, plus additional information for Distinguished Member and Emerging Leader nominees
Submit Nomination Form

2024 Award Winners

Larkin Willis

Larkin Willis

Distinguished Member Award
Taylor Holmes

Taylor Holmes

Emerging Leader Award

Health & Social Policies Task Force

Outstanding Task Force Award

Personal & Professional Development Committee

Outstanding Committee Award

Join Us to Celebrate Our Award Winners

We're celebrating our 2025 award winners at the WGR End of Year Celebration on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Join us for an evening of recognition and camaraderie as we honor the exceptional members and teams who have advanced our mission this year.

When Thursday, December 11, 2025
6:00 - 8:00 PM ET
Where The Royal Sonesta Washington Capitol Hill
20 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC
Register for the Celebration

Registration is free. A $10 donation to the Judy Schneider Foundation is encouraged.

WGR Distinguished Member Award

The Distinguished Member Award, WGR's highest honor, is presented annually to one WGR member who has demonstrated outstanding service, initiative, innovation, and dedication to WGR's goals throughout the years. Members are nominated by their peers and colleagues. Competition is strong due to the level of commitment so many members of WGR give to this organization.

  • 2022 - Lauren Colicelli and Shannon Patrick
  • 2021 - Amanda Karhuse and Gamble Hayden
  • 2020 - Lucy Gettman and Channon Hanna
  • 2019 - Monica Almond and Cicely Tomlinson
  • 2018 - Bree Raum
  • 2017 - Meredith Shue
  • 2016 - Rebecca South
  • 2015 - Katie Vlietstra Wonnenberg
  • 2014 - LeeAnn Petersen
  • 2013 - Angel Riley
  • 2012 - Elissa Dodge
  • 2011 - Elizabeth Reicherts
  • 2010 - Jan Lipsen
  • 2009 - Lauren E. Beck
  • 2008 - Peggy Tighe
  • 2006 - Kelly Bobek
  • 2005 - Anne E. Esposito
  • 2004 - Judy Schneider
  • 2003 - Amy B. Kimball
  • 2002 - Greta Todd
  • 2001 - Jacqueline D. Bowens
  • 2000 - Cynthia L. Moore
  • 1999 - Lisa M. Dinackus
  • 1998 - Carolyn Carlson
  • 1997 - Millicent Gorham
  • 1996 - Singleton McAllister
  • 1995 - Catherine Grealy Cohen
  • 1994 - Kathleen Galiher Ott
  • 1993 - Cynthia Lebrun-Yaffe
  • 1992 - Victoria Calvert Chapman
  • 1991 - Amy L. Edwards
  • 1990 - Shirley Hales
  • 1989 - Sally J. Patterson
  • 1988 - Tuckie Bartlett
  • 1987 - Betsy Younkins
  • 1986 - Elisabeth Hanlin
  • 1985 - Carolyn Herr Watts
  • 1984 - Paulette Pidcock
  • 1983 - Julie McCahill
  • 1982 - R. M. Julie Archuleta
  • 1981 - Laramie McNamara
  • 1980 - Dorothy Ferrell
  • 1979 - Susan Fridy
  • 1978 - Kathleen Buck
  • 1977 - Linda Mill

WGR Emerging Leader Award

A newer member of WGR who demonstrates a commitment to advancing our mission through innovative ideas and exceptional potential by embodying the future of leadership in our community.

WGR Outstanding Task Force Award

A task force that has gone above and beyond to advance our mission and deliver meaningful results.

WGR Outstanding Committee Award

A committee that has demonstrated exceptional teamwork and achieved significant accomplishments.