About
In an industry leaning further into automation, Givsly is pausing, for the third year running, to celebrate what can't be replaced: leaders guiding with human connection at the forefront and driving real business results because of it.
These categories are built to highlight the leaders proving that trust isn't something you protect once and move on from. It's something you build every day.
Submissions open Monday, October 5 at 9am ET and close Friday, October 30 at 11:59pm ET.
Nominating is free and open to anyone in the industry. Once submission close, Givsly will review submissions and select five honorees per category.
Every honoree will be invited to The Givsly Partner Summit, February (date TBA): a no media, closed-door intimate gathering of decision-makers, kicking off the year with real conversations. This isn't a networking event. It's a gut check. We're curating a space for decision-makers to compare notes on where the industry is actually heading before the year slips away, and to create the kind of touchpoint where relationships to flourish.
2027 Award Categories
Take a moment to review this year's categories and who we're looking to honor. Each one includes its own Submission Requirements below, so you know exactly what to include before you begin.
Walk the Talk:
Leaders who lead with conviction and take action.
This category honors a leader who drives real business results through intention and human connection. This is the person who proves that trust is a continuous commitment, not a one-time initiative. They remain steadfast in their values even under pressure, treating client trust as a foundational business investment.
Level: Senior
Submission Requirements
- Why should this nominee be honored with this award? Point to a specific moment where they chose values under real pressure to do otherwise (600 characters).
- Describe up to 3 key decisions or initiatives this past year where this leader held the line on trust or values, with tangible results (1,200 characters).
- Attachments: Headshot, Company Logo, Supporting Materials (optional, compile videos or links into a single PDF)
Rising Voices:
The next generation, raised inside automation, striking the balance to keep it human.
This category spotlights early-career talent who are digitally native and came up inside the automation wave, but are actively striking the balance between efficiency and the strategic lens only humans can bring. They're proof that the next generation of leadership won't have to choose between speed and human connection.
Level: Junior
Submission Requirements
- Why should this nominee be honored with this award? (600 characters).
- Describe up to 3 key initiatives this nominee has driven in their early career (fewer than 10 years in industry) with tangible results (1,200 characters).
- Attachments: Headshot, Company Logo, Supporting Materials (optional, compile videos or links into a single PDF)
Women Redefining Leadership:
Women whose leadership is reshaping how this industry does business.
This category honors women driving business results through human-centered leadership, at a moment when that kind of leadership is more valuable than ever, and more overlooked than it should be.
Level: Mid-senior
Submission Requirements
- Why should this nominee be honored with this award? (600 characters).
- Describe up to 3 key internal or external initiatives this nominee has driven over the past year with tangible results (1,200 characters).
- Attachments: Headshot, Company Logo, Supporting Materials (optional, compile videos or links into a single PDF)
Meaningful Mentors:
Senior leaders who bring others up with them.
This category celebrates leaders who treat mentorship as a business strategy, not an afterthought. They don't just offer coffee chats; they create access. Their commitment to developing talent is generous, strategic, and essential for a sharper, more competitive industry.
Level: Mid-senior
Submission Requirements
- Why should this nominee be honored with this award? Point to specific people they've developed, not just a general reputation for being generous with their time (600 characters).
- Describe up to 3 specific ways this nominee has created access, visibility, or growth opportunities for others this year, such as a promotion advocated for, a client introduction, a room they made space in (1,200 characters).
- Attachments: Headshot, Company Logo, Supporting Materials (optional, compile videos or links into a single PDF)
Walk the Talk: Leaders who lead with conviction and take action.
This category honors a leader who drives real business results through intention and human connection. This is the person who proves that trust is a continuous commitment, not a one-time initiative. They remain steadfast in their values even under pressure, treating client trust as a foundational business investment.
Level: Senior
Submission Requirements
- Why should this nominee be honored with this award? Point to a specific moment where they chose values under real pressure to do otherwise (600 characters).
- Describe up to 3 key decisions or initiatives this past year where this leader held the line on trust or values, with tangible results (1,200 characters).
- Attachments: Headshot, Company Logo, Supporting Materials (optional, compile videos or links into a single PDF)
Rising Voices: The next generation, raised inside automation, striking the balance to keep it human.
This category spotlights early-career talent who are digitally native and came up inside the automation wave, but are actively striking the balance between efficiency and the strategic lens only humans can bring. They're proof that the next generation of leadership won't have to choose between speed and human connection.
Level: Junior
Submission Requirements
- Why should this nominee be honored with this award? (600 characters).
- Describe up to 3 key initiatives this nominee has driven in their early career (fewer than 10 years in industry) with tangible results (1,200 characters).
- Attachments: Headshot, Company Logo, Supporting Materials (optional, compile videos or links into a single PDF)
Women Redefining Leadership: Women whose leadership is reshaping how this industry does business.
This category honors women driving business results through human-centered leadership, at a moment when that kind of leadership is more valuable than ever, and more overlooked than it should be.
Level: Mid-senior
Submission Requirements
- Why should this nominee be honored with this award? (600 characters).
- Describe up to 3 key internal or external initiatives this nominee has driven over the past year with tangible results (1,200 characters).
- Attachments: Headshot, Company Logo, Supporting Materials (optional, compile videos or links into a single PDF)
Meaningful Mentors: Senior leaders who bring others up with them.
This category celebrates leaders who treat mentorship as a business strategy, not an afterthought. They don't just offer coffee chats; they create access. Their commitment to developing talent is generous, strategic, and essential for a sharper, more competitive industry.
Level: Mid-senior
Submission Requirements
- Why should this nominee be honored with this award? Point to specific people they've developed, not just a general reputation for being generous with their time (600 characters).
- Describe up to 3 specific ways this nominee has created access, visibility, or growth opportunities for others this year, such as a promotion advocated for, a client introduction, a room they made space in (1,200 characters).
- Attachments: Headshot, Company Logo, Supporting Materials (optional, compile videos or links into a single PDF)
Submission Details
Submissions should focus on achievements, initiatives, partnerships, and campaigns from this past year, and will be judged on tangible results. Nominations are welcome from peers, colleagues, or the nominee themselves. Supporting materials like videos, links, and PDFs are encouraged but not required. There's no limit on how many categories a company can be recognized in, or how many individual finalists can come from one company.
SUBMISSION WINDOW
Submissions open
Monday, October 5
9:00 am ET
Submissions CLOSE
Friday, October 30
11:59 pm ET
Givsly will review every submission and select five honorees per category.
Winners will be announced November 16.
2027 Featured Honorees
Givsly is taking a moment to honor our partners for their work this past year.
These two honorees are selected directly by Givsly and are not open for public submission.
The Values-Achievement Award
A partner who keeps showing up.
→ This honor celebrates one organization whose partnership has consistently reflected what we believe this industry can be: values-driven, human-centered, and built on trust that holds up under pressure.
Impact Achievement Award
A leader who keeps showing up, for people, not just for the industry.
→ This honor celebrates one individual whose values and consistent actions, the kind that can't be automated, have shaped how our industry shows up for one another: in action, generosity, and how people, nonprofits, and communities are treated, not just talked about.
Key Dates
October 5
Submissions Open
9:00 AM EST
October 30
Submissions Close
11:59 PM EST
November 16
Winners
Announced
February TBA
The Givsly Partner
Summit
Previous Event Highlights
2025 Givsly Awards
Highlights & Winners
Explore the inaugural recap and award recipients.
