Awards of Excellence

ChangeMakers in Action

Poster Gallery + Awards Program

This year, we are reimagining recognition.

Instead of a traditional awards nomination process, we are inviting members to share real stories of change happening in their communities. These stories will become part of a ChangeMakers in Action Poster Gallery at the conference — and from those stories, our 2026 ChangeMaker Award recipients will be selected.

One inspiring submission. Two powerful forms of recognition.

View the full 2026 LAWA Awards Nomination Brochure

Part 1: ChangeMakers in Action Poster Gallery

Selected stories will be featured as large-format posters displayed in a high-visibility gallery space at the conference. These posters will celebrate:

Resident impact
Staff leadership
Innovation and creative problem-solving
Culture change and collaboration
Courage, resilience, and transformation

This gallery will be a storytelling centerpiece of the conference — honoring the everyday change makers across our field.

Part 2: ChangeMaker Awards

From the gallery group, the awards committee will identify up to eight ChangeMaker Award recipients representing individuals, teams, organizations, and business partners whose stories demonstrate exceptional impact.

2026 Award Categories are as follows:

Individual: Catalyst for Change Award
Individual: Resilience in Action Award
Individual: Spirit of Service Award
Team/Department: Culture Shift Award
Team/Department: Community Connector Award
Organization (Community): Innovation for Impact Award
Organization (Community): Transforming Lives Award
Business Member: Mission Supporter Award

See the award descriptions in the full 2026 LAWA Awards Nomination Brochure

Submit your Nomination by April 10, 2026

Submit your Nomination

You will be asked to include:

A minimum of one high-quality photo (up to 3 maximum). Photo(s) should show the nominee and/or represent the story behind the nomination.
A short story (150–250 words) highlighting an individual, department/team, community, or a business member that embodies mission-driven work through a spirit of service, courage, creativity, innovation, resilience, or transformation.
A simple consent form for anyone featured in the photo(s).

LeadingAge Washington will create a poster utilizing your photo(s) and story. It is critical that your photo(s) be in a high-resolution format (not a screenshot).

What Happens Next

Step 1 — Submit your story by April 10, 2026 Submit Now
Step 2 — Gallery Selection: A committee will select up to 32 stories to be featured in the Poster Gallery during the Annual Conference June 1-3, 2026. LeadingAge Washington will create each poster for display.
Step 3 — Award Selection: From those gallery stories, up to 8 award honorees will be chosen based on the award categories. Winners will be notified in early May.
Step 4 — Conference Recognition: Award recipients will be honored during the 75th Anniversary Luncheon on June 3rd in Wenatchee.

The Details

The Gallery and Awards are open to all LeadingAge Washington members.
You may submit more than one nomination, but an individual may not be nominated in more than one category.