Annually, NAWDP recognizes individuals, programs, and employers that display exemplary performance in workforce development. Award winners are recognized at NAWDP Annual Conference.
NAWDP recognizes the following annually at the NAWDP Annual Conference. The award nomination period for 2026 is closed.
- Workforce Professional of the Year: recognizes an individual for their extraordinary innovation that directly or indirectly impacts programs, customers, or professionals within the workforce system and improves employment opportunities in their communities.
- Workforce Program of the Year: recognizes innovative workforce programs that may include, but is not limited to, implementation of a new system or process, developing an innovative program, creating a new way of delivering services, developing new technology or a new way to use technology, creating new partnerships, developing and/or implementing new policy.
- Workforce Employer of the Year: recognizes a private-sector employer or employer consortium who partners and collaborates with their local workforce partners to create a positive impact in their local area and as a result has benefited other employers, workers and the community.
Additionally, NAWDP will recognize one individual as the recipient of the H.G. Weisman award which is granted at the discretion of the NAWDP Board Chair for exceptional services to NAWDP and the field of workforce development.
2026 Award Recipients
Workforce Professional of the Year
Kirkland Murray
President & CEO, Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation, Maryland
Workforce Program of the Year
ComEd’s Power Up Academy
Illinois
Workforce Employer of the Year
Hartford Healthcare
Connecticut
H.G. Weisman Award
Rodriquress “Reese” Broadnax
Workforce Project Manager & WIOA Equal Opportunity Officer, Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District, Inc.