Call for Entries Deadline:
July 24, 2026

Honoring the Influential Leaders in HR

Behind every strong workplace, there is a woman shaping how people are hired, supported, developed and retained.

She is building culture. Guiding leadership. Improving the employee experience. Solving real challenges that affect how organizations perform and how people feel at work.

Now it is time to recognize that impact.

Ragan’s Top Women in HR Awards honors the most influential women across the profession. This program recognizes the leaders, strategists and rising talent who are making a meaningful difference in their organizations and in the field of HR.

This program is recognized across HR, internal communications and business leadership communities as a trusted benchmark for excellence. Honorees gain visibility, credibility and recognition for the work that often happens behind the scenes but has a lasting impact on organizations and employees alike.

From senior executives to emerging leaders, this is where the work, ideas and leadership shaping today’s workplaces are recognized.

Do you know a woman who deserves the spotlight?

If you or someone on your team is making a meaningful impact in HR, this is your opportunity to be recognized. Earning a place in Ragan’s Top Women in HR Awards signals that your work stands out among your peers. Honorees will be recognized at a live event in early 2027.

CATEGORIES

EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE

 Bridge Builder

She connects people, teams and ideas to move work forward. By building trust across functions and fostering collaboration, she strengthens relationships that lead to better outcomes for employees and the organization.

 DEI Leader

She advances equity and inclusion through thoughtful strategy and consistent action. Her work creates more inclusive environments where people feel seen, supported and able to succeed.

 Employee Engagement Leader

She understands what motivates people and turns that insight into action. Through programs, communication and leadership, she builds engagement that leads to stronger performance and connection.

 Environmental Leader

She integrates sustainability into the employee experience and workplace practices. By aligning environmental efforts with organizational goals, she supports responsible business and employee involvement.

 HR Communicator of the Year

She delivers clear, effective communication that keeps employees informed and aligned. Whether guiding through change or reinforcing culture, her work builds trust and understanding across the organization.

 Learning & Development Leader

She creates opportunities for employees to grow and succeed. Through thoughtful programs and practical learning strategies, she helps individuals build skills and organizations build capability.

 Rewards & Benefits Leader

She designs programs that support employees’ financial wellbeing and overall experience. Her work ensures benefits are meaningful, competitive and aligned with employee needs.

 Talent Acquisition & Retention Leader

She attracts, develops and keeps the talent organizations depend on. Through strong strategy and execution, she builds teams that perform and stay.

 Team Leader

She leads with clarity, accountability and support. By guiding her team’s performance and development, she helps individuals succeed while delivering strong results.

 Wellbeing Leader

She prioritizes the health and wellbeing of employees. Through programs and policies, she supports a workplace where people can perform at their best.

 Workplace Culture Leader

She shapes the values and behaviors that define the organization. Her work strengthens culture in ways that support employees and business performance.

LEADERSHIP

 Hall of Fame

She has built a career defined by sustained impact and leadership. Her contributions have shaped the HR profession and influenced the people and organizations she has served over time.

 CHRO of the Year

She leads the HR function at the highest level with clear vision and accountability. Her leadership drives business results while strengthening the employee experience across the organization.

 Chief People Officer of the Year

She sets the direction for how people and culture support business success. Through leadership and strategy, she ensures HR plays a central role in organizational performance.

 Director of the Year

She leads critical HR functions with focus and consistency. Her work supports both employees and leadership, delivering results that move the organization forward.

INNOVATION & IMPACT

 Dynamic Do-er

She gets things done and delivers results. Through focus, execution and follow-through, she turns ideas into action that benefits employees and the organization.

 Innovator

She brings new thinking to HR challenges. By testing ideas and improving how work gets done, she helps organizations operate more effectively.

 People Analytics & Workforce Planning Leader

She uses data to guide decisions about people and performance. By connecting insights to action, she helps organizations plan, grow and manage their workforce more effectively.

 Strategist

She connects HR strategy to business goals. Her work ensures that people initiatives support long-term success and measurable results.

 Trailblazer

She takes initiative and moves work forward in new ways. Through bold action and leadership, she sets an example for others to follow.

 Visionary

She sees what is possible and helps others move toward it. Her leadership shapes direction, influences decisions and supports long-term success.

EMERGING TALENT

 Rising Star (Age 30 or Under)

She is early in her career and already making an impact. Through strong performance, initiative and leadership, she is quickly establishing herself as a future leader in HR.

HOW TO ENTER

Submitting a nomination is straightforward:

  • Select the category or categories that best match the nominee’s work
  • Complete a short entry outlining leadership, strategy and results
  • Upload supporting materials such as metrics, testimonials or work samples
  • Submit your entry through the online form

Awards Criteria

Tell us in 500 words or less about your nominee’s accomplishments in the previous 12 months. Hall of Fame nominations all for up to 900 word and recognize lifetime achievements. Ragan’s list of Top Women in HR Awards honorees will be those who have distinguished themselves among their peers with meaningful achievements.

You will be able to upload additional documents to your submission. We encourage you to include samples of the nominee’s projects, videos, analytics, testimonials and anything else you feel will give us a better sense of the their work.

ENTER

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • The nominee must work in an HR-related role
  • You may self-nominate or nominate a colleague or client
  • Entries can be submitted in multiple categories
  • Hall of Fame entries recognize long-term career achievement; all other categories focus on the past 12 months
  • This is a global award; nominations are accepted from organizations of all sizes and industries worldwide

Contact Brendan Gannon with any questions about the nominations process.

This year’s program is open to any work executed between July 1, 2025, and July 24, 2026, inclusive.

ENTRY FEES

The fee for this program is $550 per nomination.

A late fee of $325 per entry will be added to all entries received after 11:59 p.m. Central time, July 24, 2026.

All entries are non-returnable and non-refundable.

W-9 Form / Tax ID Number Request

Frequently Asked Questions

WHY SHOULD I SUBMIT A NOMINATION?
  • Earn recognition that reflects the impact of your work
  • Raise your profile among HR and business leaders
  • Highlight the results, leadership and ideas behind your contributions
  • Stand out in a competitive and growing field
WHO SHOULD BE NOMINATED?
This program welcomes nominations for women working across all areas of HR, including:
  • HR leadership and strategy
  • Workplace culture and employee experience
  • Talent acquisition and retention
  • Learning and development
  • DE&I
  • Total rewards and benefits
  • Internal communication
  • People analytics and workforce planning
CAN I NOMINATE SOMEONE ELSE?
Yes. You may nominate yourself, a colleague or a client. Many organizations use this program to formally recognize the people making a difference within their teams.
CAN I ENTER MULTIPLE CATEGORIES?
Yes. If a nominee’s work and leadership span multiple disciplines, you are encouraged to submit in more than one category. Each entry is evaluated independently, increasing opportunities for recognition.
WHAT DO JUDGES LOOK FOR?
Judges evaluate nominees based on leadership impact, strategic vision, measurable results, innovation and influence within the industry or organization. Strong submissions clearly articulate business outcomes, leadership and the broader impact of the nominee’s work.
WHEN WILL HONOREES BE ANNOUNCED?
Honorees will be recognized at a live awards celebration in early 2027. Entrants will be notified of their nomination status three months prior to the event.

Additional Questions

If you have any questions about the program or problems submitting your entry, please email Brendan Gannon at [email protected].

Sponsorship Opportunities

If you are interested in sponsoring one of Ragan Communications’ award programs, please contact Morgan Einspanier at [email protected]. 

Ragan Communications is not responsible for international shipping fees related to trophies or certificates.