Award Selection Guidelines
Your Story of Excellence
NAWBO's annual awards program shares members' success stories with our nationwide community. Read about each award below, then apply or nominate another deserving woman to be honored.
Chapter Public Policy Advocate of the Year
This award recognizes one NAWBO member who has shown exceptional involvement in public policy level at the chapter level. Nominees will be judged on the effectiveness and innovation of their efforts to shape local and state policy. The winner will be honored at NAWBO's annual Public Policy Days.
Nominee must demonstrate the following:
- Support of NAWBO’s vision and mission at a chapter and state level
- Commitment to foster the economic growth of women-owned businesses
- Effective and innovative leadership aimed to strengthen NAWBO as a professional business organization
- Civic and community involvement
National Public Policy Advocate of the Year
This award honors one NAWBO member who has shown outstanding leadership in public policy advocacy at the national level. The winning candidate will demonstrate an enduring commitment to creating change in national policy to better meet the needs of women business owners. The winner will be recognized at NAWBO's Public Policy Days in Washington, DC.
Nominee must demonstrate the following:
- Support of NAWBO’s vision and mission as a national advocate for women
- Commitment to foster the economic growth of women-owned businesses
- Effective and innovative leadership aimed to strengthen NAWBO as a professional business organization
- Contribution to national trade, professional, or volunteer organizations (other than NAWBO)
Member of the Year
One NAWBO member will be honored for her outstanding commitment to the organization, her support of its mission and vision, and her work to create innovative and effective changes in the business culture. Dedicated inolvement in NAWBO and successful leadership in programming will be key factors under consideration. The winner will recognized at NAWBO's Women’s Business Conference.
Nominee must demonstrate the following:
- Support of NAWBO’s vision and mission
- Efforts to strengthen the image of NAWBO in the public and private sectors
- Evidence of creating innovative and effective changes in NAWBO
Woman Business Owner of the Year
This award will be given to one NAWBO member who has used creative initiatives to overcome obstacles, create jobs, grow a successful business, and help her community. The winner will have shown excellence in business ownership, support of NAWBO's vision and mission, and commitment to her community. The awardee will be recognized at NAWBO’s Women’s Business Conference.
Nominee must demonstrate the following:
- Excellence as a woman business owner
- Initiative and creativity in overcoming obstacles in her business
- Support of NAWBO’s vision and mission through membership involvement
- Support of women business owners
- Civic and community involvement
NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award
Three women entrepreneurs will receive this award for their trailblazing spirit as demonstrated by their companies' business performance, innovation, and growth. Winning nominees will also be actively involved in their communities. The three awardees will be recognized at NAWBO's Women’s Business Conference.
Nominee must demonstrate the following:
- Talent, drive and innovation as a woman business owner
- Successfully developed unique products, services or delivery channels in their business
- Reflection of your vision and commitment to building an organization that truly makes a difference in your community
Chapter Corporate Partner of the Year
This award recognizes one chapter corporate partner that has fostered the growth and stability of women business owners through outstanding support of a NAWBO chapter. The winning corporate partner will honored at NAWBO's Women’s Business Conference.
Nominee must demonstrate the following:
- Support of the chapter through finances, advisory functions, and in-kind supplies or services
- Fostering of the economic growth and stability of women-owned business on a local or state chapter level
- Support and enhancement of NAWBO’s place in the local or state business community
- Efforts to develop initiatives to help women-owned businesses and efforts to increase the public’s understanding of their importance to the local and state economy