2nd Annual Women Making a Difference Awards.
The Innovation Award honors a woman who has significantly contributed to her field through innovative solutions that improve the well-being of people, places, opportunities, or conditions in the East Bay. She achieves measurable results and utilizes creative problem-solving to implement cutting-edge strategies and approaches.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a woman working in the East Bay
- Must have at least 5 years of professional experience
- Must demonstrate measurable community or organizational impact and improvement through her innovation
Evaluation Criteria
Innovation Impact
- Demonstrated success in developing or implementing innovative solutions
- Measurable results and outcomes from innovations
- Broad and positive impact on industry or society
- Evidence of original thinking and creative problem-solving
- Sustainability of innovation they created
Technical Excellence
- Depth of technical knowledge in their field
- Quality of implementation and execution
- Introduced innovative thinking, technology or approaches to address a specific challenge
- Evidence of continuous learning and skill development
Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing
- Track record of collaborating across teams or organizations
- Contribution to knowledge sharing and best practices
- Mentoring others in innovation practices
- Publication or presentation of work at relevant forums
The Leadership and Empowerment Award honors a woman who has shown outstanding leadership and a commitment to empowering others, leading to a lasting impact that improves the well-being of people, places, opportunities, or conditions in the East Bay. She successfully collaborates with diverse groups of people, creates inclusive teams, and exhibits superior leadership qualities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a woman in a leadership position in the East Bay
- Minimum 10 years of professional experience
- Must demonstrate a track record of team or organizational leadership
Evaluation Criteria
Leadership Impact
- Demonstrated success in leading teams or organizations
- Achievement of significant organizational goals
- Development and execution of strategic initiatives
- Evidence of effective change management
- Engagement of multiple audiences (gender, race, income, culture)
Team Development
- Success in building and mentoring high-performing teams
- Implementation of effective talent development programs
- Creation of inclusive and collaborative work environments
- Track record of promoting diversity and inclusion
- Sustainability of efforts
Community Influence
- Involvement in industry or community leadership
- Advocacy for women in leadership roles
- Advocacy for multi-cultural, multi-ethnic leadership roles
- External recognition and reputation
- Contribution to professional networks and organizations
- Efforts led to a significant and lasting impact on the community
The Rising Star Award will be presented to a woman who has demonstrated exceptional early-career accomplishments, including leadership prowess, clear initiative and a commitment to continuous learning. She is guided by a focused vision to positively impact people, places, opportunities, or conditions in the East Bay.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a woman 40 years old and under
- Minimum 3 years of professional experience
- Must show exceptional early-career achievements
Evaluation Criteria
Early Achievement
- Demonstrated exceptional early-career accomplishments
- Innovation in approach to work or problem-solving
- Recognition within organization or industry
- Evidence of rapid skill development and growth
- Significant contribution to the betterment of her community or organization
Leadership Potential
- Early signs of leadership capability
- Initiative in taking on additional responsibilities
- Ability to influence and inspire others
- Clear vision for future impact
Professional Development
- Commitment to continuous learning
- Participation in professional development activities
- Building of professional networks
- Clear career progression plan
The Women Making a Difference Awards celebrate the extraordinary women whose contributions are transforming the East Bay. Presented by Kaiser Permanente in partnership with the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, these prestigious awards honor local women in three impactful categories: Innovation, Leadership and Empowerment, and Rising Star.
Beyond recognition at the East Bay Women’s Conference, these awards highlight the remarkable talent, resilience, and transformative power of women who are paving the way to a bolder, brighter, and healthier future for all of us.
Nominations will be accepted until Friday, October 31.
The three winners will be recognized and receive their awards at the 21st Annual East Bay Women's Conference on March 3rd, 2026, at the Lesher Center for the Arts! Be sure to save the date!
- Monday, October 6: Nominations open
- Friday, October 31: Nominations due
- Monday, November 10: Honorees selected and notified
- Tuesday, March 3: Honorees publicly recognized during the 2026 East Bay Women’s Conference
Questions? Please contact, Emily Wilhelm, emily@brownmillerpr.com or Shawn Filardi, sfilardi@walnut-creek.com
Nominations for the Women Making a Difference Awards will be accepted online from Monday, October 6, through Friday, October 31. Nominations must include the information requested below as well as the award category. Apply here.
Information Required for All Entries
- Nominee contact information (full name, email, phone number)
- What organization does she work for, where is it located, what does the organization do and who does it serve?
- List any honors, awards or recognitions she has received
- Upload a professional resume, CV, or Linkedin profile
- Two professional references (full name, organization, email, phone number). Describe ways in which she contributes to innovative solutions that improve the well-being of people, places, opportunities, or conditions in the East Bay.
- Provide a single example of how her innovative approach has led to community/audience improvements.
- Describe any personal or professional traits that accelerate her efforts.
- Describe how her leadership and community influence improve the well-being of people, places, opportunities, or conditions in the East Bay.
- Provide a single example of how her leadership has led to community/audience improvements.
- Describe any personal or professional traits that accelerate her efforts.
Information Required by Award Category
Innovation Award
In 300 words or less, describe what makes this woman an exceptional innovator in her field. Include evidence of successes in developing or implementing innovative solutions, original thinking and problem-solving, technical expertise, and collaboration. Response should:
- Describe ways in which she contributes to innovative solutions that improve the well-being of people, places, opportunities, or conditions in the East Bay.
- Provide a single example of how her innovative approach has led to community/audience improvements.
- Describe any personal or professional traits that accelerate her efforts.
Leadership and Empowerment Award
In 300 words or less, describe what makes this woman an excellent leader. Include evidence of success in developing effective, collaborative, and inclusive teams and involvement in community leadership roles and/or advocacy. Response should:
- Describe how her leadership and community influence improve the well-being of people, places, opportunities, or conditions in the East Bay.
- Provide a single example of how her leadership has led to community/audience improvements.
- Describe any personal or professional traits that accelerate her efforts.
Rising Star Award
In 300 words or less, describe what makes this woman a rising star in her career. Include evidence of early-career accomplishments, leadership capability and professional development. The award will be given to a woman under 40 years of age. Response should:
- Describe her commitment to positively impact people, places, opportunities, or conditions in the East Bay.
- Provide a single example of how her leadership has led to community/audience improvements.
- Describe any personal or professional traits that accelerate her efforts.
Innovation Award
The Innovation Award honors a woman who has significantly contributed to her field through innovative solutions that improve the well-being of people, places, opportunities, or conditions in the East Bay. She achieves measurable results and utilizes creative problem-solving to implement cutting-edge strategies and approaches.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a woman working in the East Bay
- Must have at least 5 years of professional experience
- Must demonstrate measurable community or organizational impact and improvement through her innovation
Evaluation Criteria
Innovation Impact
- Demonstrated success in developing or implementing innovative solutions
- Measurable results and outcomes from innovations
- Broad and positive impact on industry or society
- Evidence of original thinking and creative problem-solving
- Sustainability of innovation they created
Technical Excellence
- Depth of technical knowledge in their field
- Quality of implementation and execution
- Introduced innovative thinking, technology or approaches to address a specific challenge
- Evidence of continuous learning and skill development
Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing
- Track record of collaborating across teams or organizations
- Contribution to knowledge sharing and best practices
- Mentoring others in innovation practices
- Publication or presentation of work at relevant forums
Leadership and Empowerment Award
The Leadership and Empowerment Award honors a woman who has shown outstanding leadership and a commitment to empowering others, leading to a lasting impact that improves the well-being of people, places, opportunities, or conditions in the East Bay. She successfully collaborates with diverse groups of people, creates inclusive teams, and exhibits superior leadership qualities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a woman in a leadership position in the East Bay
- Minimum 10 years of professional experience
- Must demonstrate a track record of team or organizational leadership
Evaluation Criteria
Leadership Impact
- Demonstrated success in leading teams or organizations
- Achievement of significant organizational goals
- Development and execution of strategic initiatives
- Evidence of effective change management
- Engagement of multiple audiences (gender, race, income, culture)
Team Development
- Success in building and mentoring high-performing teams
- Implementation of effective talent development programs
- Creation of inclusive and collaborative work environments
- Track record of promoting diversity and inclusion
- Sustainability of efforts
Community Influence
- Involvement in industry or community leadership
- Advocacy for women in leadership roles
- Advocacy for multi-cultural, multi-ethnic leadership roles
- External recognition and reputation
- Contribution to professional networks and organizations
- Efforts led to a significant and lasting impact on the community
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award will be presented to a woman who has demonstrated exceptional early-career accomplishments, including leadership prowess, clear initiative and a commitment to continuous learning. She is guided by a focused vision to positively impact people, places, opportunities, or conditions in the East Bay.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a woman 40 years old and under
- Minimum 3 years of professional experience
- Must show exceptional early-career achievements
Evaluation Criteria
Early Achievement
- Demonstrated exceptional early-career accomplishments
- Innovation in approach to work or problem-solving
- Recognition within organization or industry
- Evidence of rapid skill development and growth
- Significant contribution to the betterment of her community or organization
Leadership Potential
- Early signs of leadership capability
- Initiative in taking on additional responsibilities
- Ability to influence and inspire others
- Clear vision for future impact
Professional Development
- Commitment to continuous learning
- Participation in professional development activities
- Building of professional networks
- Clear career progression plan