LeadingAge Minnesota’s Highest Honor

Honors direct and support service caregivers who go beyond expectations to greatly enhance the quality of life for seniors and their communities.

Eligibility: Any staff person who has direct contact with residents or serves in a supporting role.

For this award, the selection committee looks for:

• Compassionate service that enhances the lives of older adults

• Actions that consistently go above and beyond expectations

• Meaningful impact on residents, clients, families, or team members

• Stories that demonstrate extraordinary dedication to care and service

Caregiver awards are given at the state level and for each LeadingAge MN district.

Recognizes the commitment, contributions, and impact of a person in their first three years at their organization/community.

Eligibility: Person in any role or level in their first three years at a member provider organization (current work location).

For this award, the selection committee looks for:

• Exemplary commitment and passion for serving older adults

• Meaningful contributions that have made a clear difference for residents, clients, colleagues, or the organization

• Specific examples that show how the nominee has distinguished themselves within their first three years at the organization

• A compelling explanation of what makes this person a rising star and what sets them apart from others

Honors a volunteer or volunteer group whose commitment and dedication enhance the quality of life for seniors and their communities.

Eligibility: Any person or group who has volunteered at a member provider organization in 2026.

For this award, the selection committee looks for:

• Exceptional dedication through volunteer service

• Meaningful contributions that enrich the lives of older adults

• Initiative, generosity, and reliability

• Lasting impact on residents, clients, or the community

Volunteer awards are given at the state level and for each LeadingAge MN district.

Celebrates an older adult who embodies vibrant aging.

Eligibility: This award is open to any resident, tenant, client, or participant of a LeadingAge Minnesota member community.

For this award, the selection committee looks for:

• Active engagement in community life

• Positive influence on others

• A vibrant approach to aging

• Inspiring examples of purpose, connection, and contribution

Honors a person whose leadership is demonstrated through vision, servanthood, mentoring others, and commitment to older adults.

Eligibility: Regardless of title, role, or tenure, the leadership award is open to people in any service setting, at any level of the organization.

For this award, the selection committee looks for:

• Leadership demonstrated through vision, integrity, and service

• Commitment to improving the lives of older adults

• Ability to mentor, motivate, and inspire others

• Examples of leadership in action and measurable impact

Recognizes a board member of a provider organization whose service, commitment, and actions have supported the organization in its mission and service to older adults.

Eligibility: Any board member who served in 2026.

For this award, the selection committee looks for:

• Strong commitment to mission-driven governance

• Meaningful contributions to organizational success

• Leadership that advances services for older adults

• Thoughtful stewardship and engagement as a board member

Recognizes creative programs and initiatives that introduce new approaches to challenges and opportunities in aging services, offering ideas other organizations can learn from and replicate.

Eligibility: Any provider organization may self-nominate. Multiple nominations are allowed.

The Selection Committee Looks For:

• A new or unique approach to a challenge or opportunity
• Clear purpose and measurable outcomes
• Creative thinking that advances aging services
• Potential for replication by other organizations

Sharing Your Success

Award recipients are asked to share their winning programs at the 2027 Institute & Expo through a 20-minute presentation, highlighting what other organizations can learn from, adopt, or replicate.

Celebrates programs and practices that enhance the well-being, engagement, and daily lives of older adults, demonstrating meaningful improvements that can inspire other aging services providers.

Eligibility: Any provider organization may self-nominate. Multiple nominations are allowed.

The Selection Committee Looks For:

• Programs or practices that improve resident or client well-being
• Demonstrated positive outcomes and impact
• Meaningful enhancement of daily life and engagement
• Ideas that other organizations can learn from and adopt

Sharing Your Success

Award recipients are asked to share their winning programs at the 2027 Institute & Expo through a 20-minute presentation, highlighting what other organizations can learn from, adopt, or replicate.

Recognizes effective programs and strategies that improve resident safety through thoughtful approaches, measurable results, and practices that can benefit other aging services organizations.

Eligibility: Any provider organization may self-nominate. Multiple nominations are allowed.

The Selection Committee Looks For:

• Effective strategies that improve or ensure resident safety
• Evidence of measurable results
• Thoughtful implementation and evaluation
• Practical approaches that can be replicated elsewhere

Sharing Your Success

Award recipients are asked to share their winning programs at the 2027 Institute & Expo through a 20-minute presentation, highlighting what other organizations can learn from, adopt, or replicate.

Celebrates programs and initiatives that improve recruitment, retention, employee engagement, and workplace culture, helping build a stronger workforce in aging services.

Eligibility: Any provider organization may self-nominate. Multiple nominations are allowed.

The Selection Committee Looks For:

• Successful efforts to recruit, retain, or engage staff
• Positive impact on workplace culture
• Measurable outcomes related to workforce goals
• Strategies that could benefit other providers

Sharing Your Success

Award recipients are asked to share their winning programs at the 2027 Institute & Expo through a 20-minute presentation, highlighting what other organizations can learn from, adopt, or replicate.

Recognizes practical solutions and process improvements that address organizational challenges, increase efficiency, and strengthen the delivery of aging services.

Eligibility: Any provider organization may self-nominate. Multiple nominations are allowed.

The Selection Committee Looks For:

• Process improvements that solve a meaningful challenge
• Increased efficiency, effectiveness, or organizational performance
• Clear outcomes and demonstrated results
• Practical ideas that can be adapted by other organizations

Sharing Your Success

Award recipients are asked to share their winning programs at the 2027 Institute & Expo through a 20-minute presentation, highlighting what other organizations can learn from, adopt, or replicate.

Yes! You and your organization may submit as many nominations as you like.

Yes! Individuals may be nominated in more than one year.

Nominations are submitted through a separate application portal. First-time users will need to create a free account before submitting.

Nominations are reviewed by the LeadingAge Minnesota Awards & Recognition Work Group, made up of individuals working at member organizations.

Award recipients are selected in mid-November. To preserve the surprise, LeadingAge Minnesota notifies the nominator first, who is then responsible for informing the recipient. Nominators whose submissions are not selected are notified by email.

You’ll receive an email notification along with a digital certificate of recognition that you can print and present to your nominee.

For additional questions about the Stars Among Us Awards or nomination process, contact us at Awards@LeadingAgeMN.org.