We are excited to announce the recipients of our 2025 Leadership Awards—a remarkable group of innovators dedicated to improving lives, creating opportunity, and contributing to a better California.

Selected from hundreds of nominations, these leaders are tackling critical issues such as Indigenous science and food sovereignty, Latina civic leadership, environmental justice, Black maternal health, equity in library services, and representation in entertainment.

Each recipient exemplifies leadership qualities vital for advancing progress in our state—through innovation, inclusivity, and measurable results. Their efforts are making a difference, and we are proud to support their work with a $350,000 grant and additional resources to expand their reach and share their approaches with policymakers and peers.

Meet the 2025 Award recipients:

• Shantay R. Davies-Balch, CEO of BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center, for improving Black maternal health by training doulas and promoting culturally competent care.
• Nayamin Martinez, Executive Director of Central California Environmental Justice Network, for fighting for justice and resiliency for those most impacted by pollution and extreme heat.
• Skye Patrick, County Librarian and CEO of LA County Library, for redefining the role of libraries as hubs of inclusion, innovation, and impact.
• Cutcha Risling Baldy and Kaitlin Reed, Co-Directors of Rou Dalagurr: Food Sovereignty Lab and Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute, for improving community well-being through Indigenous knowledges and food sovereignty.
• Stacy L. Smith, Founder and Director of Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, for championing representation in entertainment through actionable research and advocacy.
• Helen Iris Torres, CEO of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), for advancing democracy and strengthening communities through Latina civic leadership.

Learn more about the recipients and their work here.  

We are inspired by these leaders and look forward to celebrating other Californians advancing impactful solutions in 2026. If you know an under-recognized leader (or leaders) doing innovative work that benefits the people of California, please nominate them for a 2026 Leadership Award. Nominations open today.

Together, let’s continue creating—and celebrating—opportunities and solutions for a better California.