BNHRA HR Excellence Awards: Categories

The Servant Leader Award

Honoring an HR professional who has transformed workplace culture through empathy, integrity, and authentic leadership.

Who it’s for:
This award is for the heart-led HR leader who’s made people feel safe, seen, and supported. They’ve built trust across teams, championed well-being, and put inclusion and psychological safety at the center of every decision. Whether they’re a CHRO or a team-of-one, this nominee leads with care and courage.

Criteria:

  • Demonstrated success in building or strengthening inclusive workplace culture
  • Measurable impact on employee engagement, DEI efforts, or retention
  • Peer or employee testimonials encouraged
  • Open to all HR pros, regardless of title or years of experience

The Innovator Award

Recognizing a bold innovator who has redefined what’s possible in HR through strategy, tech, or creativity.

Who it’s for:
This award is for the change-maker: the HR professional who doesn’t just keep up with the times, they set the pace. They’ve implemented cutting-edge tools, driven transformation, or challenged the status quo in pursuit of something better.

Criteria:

  • Demonstrated innovation in HR practices (e.g., AI tools, analytics, flexible work, systems revamp)
  • Tangible results or adoption by others in their company or community
  • Willingness to take risks and push boundaries in the HR space
  • Open to all HR roles, including consultants and solo practitioners

The Emerging Leader Award

Spotlighting a rising HR professional making bold moves early in their career.

Who it’s for:
This award is for the up-and-comer whose energy, insight, and passion for people are undeniable. They might be new to the field, but their impact is already loud and clear. They ask the right questions, listen to understand, and are already shaping the future of HR.

Criteria:

  • 1–3 years of HR experienceEvidence of professional growth, leadership initiative, or boundary-pushing ideas
  • Must be currently practicing in an HR-related role
  • Nominations must include a short description of the nominee’s “spark”

BNHRA HR Excellence Awards: Rules & Judging Criteria

To ensure fairness, integrity, and community representation, the following rules and processes govern the nomination and selection of award recipients:

Nomination Rules

  1. Eligibility
    ○      Nominees must be practicing HR professionals (including consultants, business owners, and freelancers) with primary work in the field of Human Resources.
    ○      Nominees do not need to be current BNHRA members, but they must live or work in the Western New York region.

  1. Ineligibility
    ○      Current BNHRA board members are not eligible for nomination in any category.
    ○      Members of the judging panel (past presidents and president-elect/designee) are also not eligible to be nominated.
    ○      Self-nominations are permitted but must include at least one letter of support or testimonial.

  1. Submission Requirements
    ○      All nominations must be submitted through the official BNHRA nomination form.
    ○      Incomplete nominations will not be considered.
    ○      Each nomination should include specific examples of impact aligned with the selected award criteria.

Judging & Selection Process

Selection Committee Composition

To maintain objectivity while drawing on deep leadership knowledge, the judging panel will consist of:

  • The Current BNHRA President
  • Up to Two Past BNHRA Presidents (selected by the current President)
  • The President-Elect or a Designee from the current board (selected by the President-Elect)

This committee will be comprised of three members total.  It represents both continuity and fresh insight, balancing institutional knowledge with emerging leadership perspectives.

Judging Process

  • Each judge will score submissions independently using a rubric based on the award-specific criteria.
  • Judges will meet once to review top-scoring nominations and discuss final selections.
  • In the event of a tie or deadlock, the current President will serve as the deciding vote.

Award Limitations

  • One recipient will be selected per award category each year.
  • The committee reserves the right to withhold an award if no nomination meets the standard of excellence.
  • Award winners will be notified in advance and recognized during the Annual September Legal Update Event.

                    

CONTACT: [email protected]