Academy Champions

Our Academy Award is presented to a person or organization that has promoted the ideals of the Academy. The criterion for the Award includes the following:

Supports the mission, objectives, and goals of the NWWLA.
Offers financial and/or in-kind support to the NWWLA.
Encourages participants to apply and participate in the Academy.
Serves as a mentor to women to empower them for professional advancement.
Prepares and promotes women into local government leadership roles in their own organization.
Provides training and development, as well as promotional, opportunities for women.

The award is presented annually at the WCMA Conference or our Women's Leadership Summit.

Please direct questions to NWWLA Communications and Networking Committee at Communications@nwwla.org.

2025 Award Recipient

Sound Transit

Sound Transit as an agency has had a participant in the Academy in every cohort since we started our program in 2018, and we recognize them for their continued support of women as they advance and grow in their leadership journey.

Sound Transit continues to lead the way in building a culture where inclusive leadership can thrive. As an organization, they invest in employees by investing in programs that elevate emerging leaders, strengthen mentorship, and ensure that every employee has access to growth opportunities.

From professional development initiatives to supportive leadership pathways, Sound Transit is an organization that is committed to fostering a workplace where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but essential to delivering exceptional service to our region. That is why we award them our Academy Champion award for 2025.

2024 Award Recipient

Deanna Dawson is the CEO of the Association of Washington Cities (AWC).

Earned the inaugural Academy Champion Award from the Northwest Women’s Leadership Academy (NWWLA). This award celebrates her outstanding efforts in advancing the Academy’s mission to empower emerging leaders, expand their professional networks, and elevate women into leadership roles in local government.

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