(Awarded to an Individual)

The recipient of this award must be in a leadership position (as executive director, president, CEO) in Northeast Ohio for a minimum of 5 years with his or her current organization (only one member from an organization can be nominated - co-leaders are not eligible). The recipient will be chosen based on the following criteria:

1. Record of leadership

   • demonstrated visionary leadership within his/her organization or the broader community
   • outstanding record of achievements that have increased the value of the organization to the community
   • commitment to continuous improvement
   • leadership in the broader community

2. Services as a nonprofit management role model

   • leadership in his/her field
   • high standard of ethics personally and organizationally
   • development of future leaders within the organization and/or more broadly within the community

3. Creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship as demonstrated by the candidate's ability to successfully identify and address core organizational issues

   • creation of practices adopted by others in the field
   • involvement in shaping public policy or public debate
   • innovative solutions to specific and significant problems
   • willingness to take risks to address issues

4. Leadership in fostering interaction among staff, volunteers, and the community

   • creation of an environment in which organizational stakeholders are valued for their contributions
   • leadership in involving stakeholder efforts in the identification of issues, and in design of solutions and strategies to address the issues
   • work that has bridged traditional boundaries across organizations or sectors

5. Commitment to the principles and skills associated with good management

   • achievement of organizational sustainability
   • successful positioning of agency within the community
   • commitment to data-driven decision making
   • demonstrated commitment to life-long or continuous learning