Leadership Florida Awards
Leadership Florida is proud of all the work Floridians are doing to strengthen our Sunshine State. Each year, we recognize these individuals and organizations who exemplify the mission, vision, and values of Leadership Florida. Nominations are accepted by active members during the spring of each year. Award recipients are chosen and announced during the Annual Meeting.
Thank you to our Awards Nomination Season sponsor!
"Choose Well"
Current Awards
The Chair's Award is presented by the Board Chair each year to a member or members for their unique contribution to the mission and vision of the organization.
The Chair's Award Most Recent Recipients
2021 - Chris Hand, Bacardi Jackson, and Darnell Smith
2022 - Garrett Richter
2023 - Senator Kathleen Passidomo
2024 - Lila Jaber
On September 28, 2020, the Leadership Florida Board of Directors approved the Special Council Framework and Goals, which included the creation of this annual award to recognize organizations, which include at least one Leadership Florida member, who are doing outstanding work in equity, equality and justice.
The Florida Equity, Equality & Justice Influencer Award recognizes a business or nonprofit organization that has demonstrated leadership in Equity, Equality & Justice by changing their company, community, or Florida in two or more of the following areas:
- Boards and Senior Leadership Team
- Pipeline Development, Supplier Development
- Pay Decision Making
- Justice in Housing/Education/Criminal Justice Systems
- Philanthropy in Time/Talent/Treasure
*Nominated organizations must include at least one current Leadership Florida member who is employed by the organization.
The Florida Equity, Equality & Justice Influencer Award Recipients
2021 - Jacobs
2022 - YWCA South Florida
2023 - Bank of America
2024 - Moffitt Cancer Center
This award recognizes a Leadership Florida member who has used specific knowledge gained and/or relationships built through their Leadership Florida experiences to improve the lives of fellow Floridians and create "but for Leadership Florida" moments. In addition to the honor itself, Leadership Florida will make a donation of $2,500 to the recipient's organization of choice, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
*Nominee must be a current Leadership Florida member who is active in the organization.
The "but for Leadership Florida" Award Recipients
2017 - Alex Sink
2018 - Mike Freed
2019 - Chris Hand & Lori Kifer Johnson
2020 - Nadine Smith
2021 - Sheriff Dennis Lemma
2022 - Sherry Hartnett
2023 - Keith James
2024 - Julia Woodward
The purpose of the Leadership Florida Distinguished Member Award is to recognize a Leadership Florida member whose continued leadership activities, outside of their professional responsibilities, have exemplified the highest standards of Leadership Florida and whose activities achieved results or set an example of statewide influence.
*Nominee must be a current Leadership Florida member
Distinguished Member Award Recipients
1991 - Glenda Hood
1992 - Ron Saunders
1993 - Dorothy Weaver
1994 - Kathy Adams
1995 - Lester Abberger
1996 - Frank Ioppolo, Sr.
1997 - Clarence Anthony
1998 - Barbara Ann Blue
1999 - Pat Pepper
2000 - Bob Richardson
2001 - John Delaney
2003 - Pam Davis
2004 - Larry Lee
2005 - John Ruffin
2006 - Fred Leonhardt
2007 - John Sinnott
2008 - Ron Sachs
2009 - Jeff Bartel
2010 - Deanne Roberts
2010 - Steve Leifman
2011 - Steve Freedman
2012 - Randy Berridge
2014 - Bob Buesing
2015 - Sean Pittman
2016 - Carolyn Johnson & Isabel Norton
2017 - Yvette Aleman
2018 - Mayor Don Slesnick II
2019 - Darnell Smith
2020 - Dick Batchelor
2021 - Barbara Zdravecky
In recognition of the impeccable standards that Governor LeRoy Collins set for leadership in our state, in 1991 the Lifetime Achievement Award was renamed in his honor. The purpose of this award is to recognize an individual or couple who, like Governor Collins, has gone above and beyond by using their leadership abilities over a lifetime to improve the quality of life for all Florida citizens and its future generations.
*Nominees do not need to be a Leadership Florida member. If a non-member wins this award, they will become an Honorary Member of Leadership Florida.
LeRoy Collins Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients
1991 - Gov. LeRoy Collins*
1992 - Alvah Chapman
1993 - James E. Davis*
1994 - Chesterfield Smith
1995 - Hon. Carrie Meek
1996 - Dr. Stephen O'Connell
1997 - Jack Eckerd
1998 - Gov. Reubin Askew
1999 - John Edward Smith*
2000 - Gene Patterson
2001 - Judge Joseph Hatchett
2003 - Dr. John DeGrove
2004 - Al Burt
2005 - Fred Schultz
2006 - Nathaniel Reed
2007 - Sen. Bob Graham
2008 - Henri Landwirth
2009 - Charles & Saundra Gray
2010 - Dr. Michael Gannon
2011 - Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte
2012 - Ken Plante
2014 - Lucy Morgan
2015 - Betty Castor
2016 - Bob Rhodes
2017 - Gov. Bob Martinez
2018 - The Honorable Justice Rosemary Barkett
2019 - Clyde Butcher
2020 - Dave Lawrence, Jr.
2021 - Sen. Bill Nelson
* indicates posthumously
The Florida Impact Award (previously Statewide Community Award) recognizes a business or nonprofit organization that has created a specific project or body of work whose impact is currently transforming the future of its Region or beyond and has the potential to transform Florida as a whole.
*Nominee does not need to be a Leadership Florida member
Florida Impact Award Recipients
2014 - Redlands Christian Migrant Association
2015 - The Village Square
2016 - The FLITE Center
2017 - Central Florida Partnership
2018 - JASMYN
2019 - Anna Maria Oyster Bar & Restaurant
2020 - K9s For Warriors
2021 - GLHomes
2022 - Hope Community Center, Inc.
2023 - 4R Foundation
2024 - The Immokalee Foundation
Statewide Community Award Recipients
Statewide Community Award Previous Recipients
1996 - Florida Humanities Council
1997 - Holland & Knight
1998 - Florida League of Cities
1999 - Not awarded
2000 - Not awarded
2001 - Constitutional Revision Committee
2002 - NCCJ
2003 - JM Family Enterprises
2004 - Not awarded
2005 - Associated Marine Institutes
2006 - Bank of America
2007 - Not Awarded
2008 - AutoNation
2009 - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
2010 - Children's Home Society of Florida
2011 - Volunteer Florida
2012 - Publix Super Markets, Inc.
2013 - Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch