Nomination Criteria, Process and Timeline

2026 Forum Awards Nomination
Criteria, Process and Timeline

The annual TRUST Awards celebrate women advancing efforts to help the health care industry boldly transform its future.

COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS: Honoring a woman who is building partnerships within an organization or forging collaborative external relationships that address a common goal where both parties benefit.
INNOVATION: Honoring a woman who leads disruptive advances in health care that improve health outcomes, patient experience, provider engagement, and/or make a business impact.
LEADERSHIP: Honoring a woman viewed as a distinguished leader by her team, peers and business partners.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Honoring a woman who is advancing the overall health of the communities we live in.
EMERGING LEADER: Honors a high-performing woman in healthcare who leads by example, demonstrates strong leadership potential, and actively drives positive, collaborative, and inclusive impact through continuous personal and professional growth.
ALLY IN HEALTHCARE: Honoring partners beyond traditional healthcare who have made meaningful contributions to the wellbeing of patients, providers, and communities.

Health care companies and organizations of any size, including nonprofit, higher education and government institutions, operating in Minnesota.
The majority of the work for the product/service/program — as well as the team dedicated to the project — must be based in Minnesota.
It is NOT a requirement to be a Women’s Health Leadership TRUST member to nominate or be nominated.
No self-nomination.
Projects undertaken and completed at any time between 2025-2026.
No cost to apply.

Submissions must be concise (no more than 1000 words for the sum of all 4 questions; not including contact information).
A panel of (at minimum) 2 judges per category, individually scoring the answers to each question.

Forum Awards Nominations Open: December 17, 2025
Forum Awards Nominations Close: January 16, 2026
Forum Award Winners Announced: February 15, 2026
Forum Awards Celebration: Award recipients will be recognized at the Forum on April 16, 2026