Leadership Palm Beach County’s Leadership Excellence Award recognizes exceptional Leadership Engage (Adult) Program graduates who make significant contributions to improve our community. The Leadership Excellence Award celebrates individuals who are active examples of the vision, and mission, of Leadership Palm Beach County; recipients aspire to connect, collaborate, and change.
We accept nominations of Alumni by Alumni each year. The nominations are reviewed by a confidential selection committee, made up of a diverse group of alumni. This selection committee selects a small group of finalists, who will be announced ahead of time, and one recipient, who will be announced at our Leadership Celebration event in June. Our standing president also has the prerogative to award the President's Award to an outstanding alumni of their choice.
2022
Private: Michelle Diffenderfer (2000)
Public: Chelsea Reed (2020)
Nonprofit: James Gavrilos (2009)
President's Award: Jessica Cecere (2000)
2021
Private: Stephen Basore (2019)
Public: Dorritt Miller (2006)
Nonprofit: Brian Edwards (2005)
President's Award: Renee E. Layman (2010)
2020
Private: Rita Barreto (1987)
Public: Erica Whitfield (2014)
Nonprofit: Laurie George (2003)
President's Award: Sally D. Chester (1987)
2019
Private: Kimberly Lea (2016)
Public: Lt. Patricia Brown (2013)
Nonprofit: Kate Watt (2018)
President's Award: Victoria Chouris (2010)
2018
Private: Eddie Stephens (2015)
Public: Senator Bobby Powell, Jr. (2010)
Nonprofit: Owen O'Neill (2014)
President's Award: Eric Hopkins (1995)
2017
Private: Frank Compiani (1991)
Public: Priscilla Taylor (1995)
Nonprofit: Dr. Robert Rease (2016)
President's Award: Dari Bowman (1988)
2016 Roberta "Robi" Jurney (2010)
2015 Michele Poole (2014)
2014 Jim Sugarman (1995)
2013 Patrick McNamara (2008)
2012 Eric Hopkins (1995)
2011 Rev. Pam Cahoon (1989)
2010 David Goodlett (1988)
2009 Wendy Sartory Link (1998)
2008 Sharon Bock (2000)
2007 David Baker (1989)
2006 Gale Howden (1986)
2005 Don Chester (1986)
Nominations for the 2023 Leadership Excellence Award are now open! Click here for more information or to nominate.
