CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS AND CRITERIA

Nominate Someone by June 30th

1. Humanitarian of the Year

Focus: Exceptional, sustained contribution to humanity.

Additional Criteria:

  • Decades-long track record of transformational impact
  • Global recognition and influence
  • Legacy of institutions, movements, or systems change
    Enduring impact across generations

2. Education Innovation

Focus: Expanding access to quality education and lifelong learning.

Additional Criteria:

  • Scalable solutions improving access, quality, or outcomes in education
  • Innovation in delivery (digital, hybrid, community-based models)
  • Measurable improvements in learning outcomes or access
  • Focus on underserved or marginalized populations

3. Healthcare Innovation

Focus: Improving health outcomes and access to care.

Additional Criteria:

  • Demonstrated improvements in health access, outcomes, or equity
  • Scalable healthcare delivery or innovation
  • Evidence-based or clinically validated approaches
  • Focus on underserved populations or global health gaps

4. Criminal Justice Reform

Focus: Advancing fairness, inclusion, and systemic change.

Additional Criteria:

  • Demonstrated impact addressing systemic inequality or injustice
  • Policy influence or structural change outcomes
  • Community-led or inclusive approaches
  • Measurable progress toward equity

5. Narrative Change

Focus: Storytellers, creators, and media innovators using narrative change to shape culture, strengthen social cohesion, and elevate responsible storytelling in the face of misinformation, deepfakes, and polarization.

Additional Criteria:

  • Using storytelling and media platforms to foster empathy and constructive public dialogue.
  • Countering misinformation, disinformation, deepfakes, and other harmful digital narratives through credible, responsible content.
  • Advancing authentic representation and elevating marginalized voices in ways that shape public understanding.
  • Creating measurable cultural or social impact by shifting narratives, influencing audiences, and inspiring informed action.

6. Women & Girls Empowerment

Focus: Advancing gender equity, safety, education, and economic empowerment.

Additional Criteria:

  • Tangible improvements in education, health, safety, or economic mobility
  • Addressing systemic barriers (e.g., gender-based violence, pay gaps)
  • Empowerment through leadership, ownership, or agency
  • Measurable outcomes benefiting women and girls at scale

7. Future of Work

Focus: redefining how people work, learn, and thrive—through workforce development, reskilling, remote work, or inclusive labor models.

Additional Criteria:

  • Recognized for pioneering research into hybrid work
  • Led the influential Workable Futures Initiative, pioneering new models
  • Pioneering AI-driven, high-quality learning design
  • A leading voice on the societal impacts of AI, inclusive labor models
  • A global influencer redefining workplace accessibility & inclusive hiring

8. Positive Content Creator

Focus: creators using digital platforms to inspire, educate, and uplift—shaping culture through responsible storytelling and positive influence.

Additional Criteria:

  • Global cultural bridge.
  • Empowerment through storytelling.
  • Uses simple, wordless humor to promote authenticity

9. Technology & AI for Good

Focus: Leveraging technology to solve societal challenges.

Additional Criteria:

  • Innovative use of technology to address large-scale social issues
  • Demonstrated adoption and measurable outcomes
  • Ethical, inclusive, and responsible use of technology
  • Potential for rapid global scale

10. Animal Welfare Changemaker

Focus: Celebrating leaders strengthening the bond between animals and humanity. Honoring visionary leaders whose work transforms the lives of animals through rescue, advocacy, innovation, conservation, education, and compassion.

Additional Criteria:

  • Demonstrated commitment to improving the lives, welfare, protection, or conservation of animals through meaningful and measurable action.
  • Proven ability to inspire others to embrace compassion, adoption, rescue, or innovative solutions that advance animal well-being.
  • Significant influence in changing public perception, policies, or practices that strengthen the relationship between people and animals.
  • A sustained track record of creating lasting impact that benefits both animals and society while inspiring future generations.

11. Non-Profit Social Impact Leader

Focus: Visionary nonprofit leadership driving measurable social impact through mission, innovation, and sustained charitable or philanthropic giving.

Additional Criteria:

  • Demonstrated leadership in advancing the organization’s mission through strategic philanthropy, grantmaking, or community initiatives
  • Measurable social outcomes through strategic grantmaking, partnerships, and initiatives.
  • Sector leadership and influence in advancing purpose-driven philanthropy.
  • Authentic, long-term, deep commitment to social good

12. Architect of Opportunity

Focus: This award recognized visionary leaders who create pathways for others to thrive by expanding access to opportunity, entrepreneurship, education, economic mobility, and leadership.

Additional Criteria:

  • Demonstrated commitment to building institutions, initiatives, or ecosystems that create lasting opportunities for individuals and communities.
  • Proven ability to empower entrepreneurs, emerging leaders, or underserved populations through mentorship, investment, education, or workforce development.
  • Significant influence in breaking down barriers and expanding access to economic, professional, or social advancement.
  • A sustained track record of transforming vision into scalable solutions that enable others to succeed and create generational impact.
Nominate Someone by June 30th