Recognizing lasting change at scale
Transformational Leader of the Year
Definition, evidence, and examples of what qualifies for recognition in this category.
Category definition
Exceptional leadership producing measurable, lasting change across an organization, system, or region — through vision, governance, and execution under real constraints.
What judges look for
- Clear vision translated into measurable outcomes
- Cross-stakeholder alignment (labor, boards, community, regulators)
- Sustainable governance and operating model changes
- Material improvement vs baseline (not just activity)
- Evidence of institutionalization (policy, process, budget, org design)
Strong evidence
- Before/after performance measures and dashboards
- Board reports, adopted strategies, or audited results
- Documented implementation plan and milestones met
- Independent evaluations or oversight findings (where applicable)
- Evidence of sustained performance over time
Examples of measurable outcomes
- Meaningful reliability improvements sustained across quarters
- Major cost avoidance/reallocation while maintaining outcomes
- Large-scale modernization with adoption and measurable results
- Regional collaboration delivering measurable outcomes (multi-agency)
- Crisis recovery that strengthens long-term resilience
Nominate in this category
Ready to nominate a leader for Transformational Leader of the Year?
Go to nomination form Back to categoriesTip: Include metrics, scope, constraints, and evidence. Avoid general praise without outcomes.