Graphic of a close up poppy, with text inside that reads "Nominations Are Now Closed"
Nominations for the 2027 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards are now closed.
Thank you to all who nominated a California problem-solver or who helped spread the word.
#IrvineAwards
You now have a little more time to nominate leader making change in your community. The deadline to submit a 2027 Leadership Award nomination has been extended to March 23 at noon (12:00 p.m.) PDT.
Nominate at: lnkd.in/ge4mQpWq
#IrvineAwards
Community members know their leaders best.
It’s not too late—nominate a leader in your life today. The process is simple, with just two short narrative questions. They could receive a $350,000 grant and support to share their impact.
Nominate at: na2.hubs.ly/H04nLS10
#IrvineAwards
Darla M. Cooper of The RP Group has been awarded a 2026 Leadership Award in recognition of her inspirational work in championing community college success through student-centered research and policy change.
Learn more about Darla’s impact at: lnkd.in/g5zC4B7w
#IrvineAwards
Celina Alvarez of Housing Works of California has been awarded a 2026 Leadership Award in recognition of her transformative work in advancing sustainable homeless response systems through frontline workforce training and wellness.
Learn more at: lnkd.in/gkrnK2vr
#IrvineAwards
Lian Cheun of Khmer Girls in Action has been awarded a 2026 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award in recognition of her transformative work in strengthening democracy through youth leadership, organizing, and cultural healing.
Learn more at: lnkd.in/gAYqruUB
#IrvineAwards
Do you know a leader or leadership pair advancing transformative solutions to critical issues facing #California?
Nominate them now for the 2027 #IrvineAwards: bit.ly/40Exvww
Each award recipient’s organizations receive $350,000 and support in sharing their solutions with policymakers.
Adrianne Hillman and Erin Garner-Ford of Salt + Light have been awarded a 2026 Leadership Award in recognition of their inspirational work in building community-focused housing to restore stability and belonging.
Learn more about their impact at: lnkd.in/g6ChQGPc
#IrvineAwards
Chris Chatmon of Kingmakers of Oakland has been awarded a 2026 Leadership Award in recognition of his transformative work in shaping positive youth futures through cultural identity, mentorship and leadership pathways.
Learn more about Chatmon’s impact at: lnkd.in/gh_efdJ3
#IrvineAwards
This year marks 20 years of the #IrvineAwards. In that time, one thing has remained true: Leadership rooted in community is what moves California forward.
Congratulations to this years recipients!
Congratulations to Chris Chatmon of Kingmakers of Oakland for receiving a 2026 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award for shaping positive youth futures through cultural identity, mentorship and leadership pathways.
Learn more about his work at: irvineawards.org/award-recipi...
#IrvineAwards
Congratulations to the 2026 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award Recipients!
These leaders are proof that innovation is growing in every corner of California.
#IrvineAwards
Inspiring. Community-focused. Innovative. Impactful. The leaders we're celebrating in four weeks embody everything that makes California special—and they're using those qualities to solve our biggest challenges. This is California at its best.
#CaliforniaLeads #IrvineAwards
“Our latinas are ready to take charge”
– 2025 Award Recipient Helen Torres
Artist Maria Loor captures the momentum of Helen Torres's work with Hispanas Organized for Political Equality @hopelatinas.bsky.social — an organization that has trained over 60,000 leaders since 1989.
#IrvineAwards
Representation matters and 2025 #IrvineAwards recipient Stacy L. Smith is making sure Hollywood listens. As founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, she’s holding the entertainment industry accountable for who gets seen, heard, and hired.
Learn more about Stacy's impact: hubs.ly/Q03wN0dX0
In California’s Central Valley, communities are coming together to protect what matters most—clean air, safe water, and healthy futures. #IrvineAwards recipient Nayamin Martinez and the Central California Environmental Justice Network are helping make that possible.
Read more: hubs.ly/Q03wmf810
From building and maintaining the Indigenous Garden to delivering food boxes filled with traditional ingredients and recipes, their work bridges campus and community. These 2025 #IrvineAwards recipients are redefining what it means to thrive as Indigenous students, community members, and leaders.
In Fresno County, Shantay Davies-Balch of BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center is expanding access to doula care, helping bridge the gap between the growing number of births and the limited availability of doulas.
Learn more about 2025 #IrvineAwards recipient Shantay and her impact: lnkd.in/gr8aX86R
Latinas make up 20% of California’s population but continue to face the nation’s largest wage gap and remain underrepresented in leadership. Helen Torres and @hopelatinas.bsky.social are changing that through transformative civic and leadership training.
#IrvineAwards
Libraries are more than books—they’re essential lifelines for education, safety, and opportunity. In LA County, where 10 million residents speak 200+ languages and face high rates of poverty and housing insecurity, Skye Patrick and LA County Library are meeting the moment.
#IrvineAwards
We’re excited to share an early glimpse of a powerful mural project taking shape.
This project was produced as part of the Foundation’s recognition of Chris Contreras of Brilliant Corners, a 2023 #IrvineAwards recipient.
Artist 🎨: @hedytorresart.bsky.social
In Collaboration with: Tre Borden /Co
“Our Latinas are ready to take charge. They are in local communities ensuring that Latinas are at every table of decision making.” – Helen Torres, CEO of @hopelatinas.bsky.social and 2025 #IrvineAwards recipient
Learn about HOPE’s impact at: youtu.be/iNwoPBA7YdU?...
Stacy L. Smith, 2025 #IrvineAwards recipient, founded the @inclusionists.bsky.social in 2008, where she leverages the Initiative’s research to develop programs and policies that address systemic biases in the media.
Learn more at: youtu.be/N7zCR0xq3wg?...
Skye Patrick, County Librarian of LA County Library and 2025 #IrvineAwards recipient, has transformed the Library into a hub of inclusion, innovation, and impact, expanding its mission far beyond book lending.
Learn more: youtu.be/byLdgiUdlkk?...
Earlier this year, Shantay R. Davies-Balch, CEO of BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center, received an Irvine Foundation Leadership Award for her work in improving Black maternal health and promoting culturally competent care.
Learn more about her work at: youtu.be/YkNOhkdEUkc?...
#IrvineAwards
Only hours left to submit a nomination for the 2026 Leadership Awards! Nominations close today, March 14, at noon.
Your nominee could be selected to receive a $350,000 grant and other support amplifying their work.
Visit: lnkd.in/gPMcJVd
#IrvineAwards
In honor of #WomensHistoryMonth, LA Sentinel spotlights Skye Patrick, director and CEO of L.A. County Library and 2025 #IrvineAwards recipient.
Since 2016, she has launched IT initiatives and other programs dedicated to improving the lives of Californians.
lasentinel.net/womens-histo...
Great News! To give you more time to help us celebrate inspiring leaders, we are extending the 2026 Leadership Awards nomination deadline to Friday, March 14 at noon.
All nominees will still be contacted on March 14 to accept their nomination.
Visit: irvineawards.org/nominations/
#IrvineAwards
One day left to nominate an inspiring leader who is making a real difference in their community! Don’t miss your chance to honor those who are shaping the future. Nominations close March 12 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
→ irvineawards.org/nominations/
#IrvineAwards
Nominate a leader who inspires change in your community. #IrvineAwards
Introducing a simpler way to Nominate Leaders Step 1, Due March 12: An initial nomination only requires basic details about the nominee and their impact. Step 2, Due April 30: The nominee’s submission provides the opportunity to expand on their achievements and impact in their own words.
Your Voice Can Make a Difference – Nominate a Leader Today! When you nominate, you’ll answer three questions: - Why is the nominee’s work important for California? - What about this leader or their work inspires you? - How does the leader create opportunities for underserved communities?
Nominations for the 2026 @irvineawards.bsky.social close this Wednesday, and the process is now easier than ever!
#IrvineAwards celebrates leaders who are advancing breakthrough solutions to critical issues facing California.
Learn more and submit your nomination at: irvine.ly/nominate
