NAWBO Awards

Susan Hager was one of NAWBO’s founding mothers and visionary leaders and our first national president. She was a fearless champion of women’s economic empowerment and a steady voice leading this organization beyond what it was—to what it could be. In fact, Susan once said (and we continue to celebrate her words today): “Get a seat at the table or build your own table and make sure to include other women at that table.”

The Susan Hager Award recognizes a “champion” NAWBO member who, like Susan, has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to propelling women’s economic empowerment and NAWBO’s mission locally and nationally. By giving her time, talent and resources, she has helped to further the legacy of women’s entrepreneurship now and for generations to come.

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must meet the following criteria:

• Must be a NAWBO Premier member with an active status.
• Has past or current service on a committee or board at the chapter level.
• Must be able to attend the NAWBO Awards Celebration at NAWBO Days in Washington, DC on May 31, 2026, to accept the award.
• National Board of Director members are not eligible to be nominated for one full calendar year (January- December) following the year they complete their Board term.
• Paid staff or contractors (i.e. W2, full time and part time or 1099) employed by a chapter are not eligible for nomination.

For detailed information, download the Susan Hager Award one-sheet here »

Nominations are open here now through February 20, 2026.

Please use this convenient worksheet to prepare for your nomination before February 20, 2026.

Gillian Rudd was NAWBO’s national president who, together with other early NAWBO advocates, led the charge to educate and influence elected officials about the undeniable impact women-owned businesses played in the U.S. economy. Their efforts led to the authoring of landmark legislation—The Women’s Business Ownership Act, or HR5050—and shaped our #NAWBOVOICE that’s so widely respected today.

The Gillian Rudd Award honors a NAWBO woman business owner who, like Gillian, has made a significant contribution to the status and visibility of women-owned firms. She advocates for the advancement of the woman business owner community in a bipartisan spirit. She is also a voice of collaboration in effectively presenting or moving forward legislation, regulatory reforms or new initiatives.

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must meet the following criteria:

• Must be a NAWBO Premier, Basic, or NextGen member with an active status.
• Must be able to attend the NAWBO Awards Celebration at NAWBO Days in Washington, DC on May 31, 2026, to accept the award.
• Paid staff or contractors (i.e. W2, full time and part time, or 1099) employed by a chapter are not eligible for nomination.
• National Board of Director members are not eligible to be nominated for one full calendar year (January- December) following the year they complete their Board term.

For detailed information, download the Gillian Rudd Award one-sheet here »

Nominations are open here now through February 20, 2026.

Please use this convenient worksheet to prepare for your nomination before February 20, 2026.

Women business owners are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. economy, and yet, we continue to face unique challenges in starting, scaling and growing our businesses—from accessing capital to winning contracts with government and large corporations to juggling caregiving responsibilities. Those who rise above these challenges to shine brightly are truly inspirational.

The Woman Business Owner of the Year Award recognizes a NAWBO entrepreneur who excels at strategy, operations, finances, problem solving, innovating, overcoming adversity and giving back to her community. This honor is not based on the size of her business, but rather on her overall business and community excellence.

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be a NAWBO Premier member for at least one year who is not currently a member of the National Board of Directors. Paid staff or contractors (i.e. W2, full time and part time or 1099) employed by a chapter are not eligible for nomination. The Woman Business Owner of the Year award is open to any woman business owner that owns at least 50% of her business and actively runs the day-to-day operations. Only one woman business owner per company may be nominated per year. The Top 3 finalists and winner MUST be available to participate in a panel discussion during the 2026 NAWBO Awards Celebration on May 31st in Washington, DC. 

Nominations are closed for this award.