Nominations that won in the 2025 Stevie Awards for Great Employers may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2026 awards. If they have been updated with recent achievements, they may be submitted to the same categories in which they won. If they have not been updated, they must be submitted to categories different from those in which they won.

Information to be submitted online for entries in these categories in the 2026 competition include

1. Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated achievements since January 1 2024, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:
a. Briefly describe the nominated individual: its history and past performance (up to 1,300 characters) Required
b. Outline the achievements since the beginning of 2024 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 1,600 characters) Required
c. Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible, compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 1,600 characters). Required
d. Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 1,500 characters). Optional

2. Optional (but highly recommended), add to your entry up to 10 webpage links and/or document uploads to support your case to the judges.These might be press articles, press releases, videos, work samples, internal or external reviews, or employee feedback, for example.

C01. Benefits or Payroll Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of individual professionals in benefits or payroll administration.There is no entry fee for this category.

C02. Chief Happiness Officer of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of executives who focus on the happiness and well being of organizations' employees.There is no entry fee for this category.

C03. Chief Human Resources Officer of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of organizations' top human resources executives.

C04. Chief Learning Officer of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of executives who focus on the training and skills- and knowledge-advancement of organizations' employees.There is no entry fee for this category.

C05. Coaching & Mentorship Leader of the Year (New Category for 2026)
A companion to your Coaching/Mentoring organizational category (B05), but at the individual level. There is no entry fee for this category.

C06. Compliance & Safety Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of individual professionals in the design and delivery of compliance and workplace safety programs.There is no entry fee for this category.

C07. Culture Transformation Leader of the Year
Recognizing professionals who have played a key role in driving positive organizational culture changes.There is no entry fee for this category.

C08. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Leader of the Year (New Category for 2026)
Recognizing individual professionals who lead DEI strategy, inclusion training, equitable hiring practices, or belonging initiatives. There is no entry fee for this category.

C09. Employee Engagement Professional of the Year (New Category for 2026)
Focusing on the individual who leads engagement initiatives, programs, or analytics.There is no entry fee for this category.

C10. Employee Relations Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of individual employee relations professionals.There is no entry fee for this category.

C11. Human Resources Executive of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of HR executives at the VP level or higher.

C12. Human Resources Influencer of the Year
Recognizing individuals for their HR-related content creation and HR-related influencer activities.There is no entry fee for this category.

C13. Human Resources IT Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of individual professionals in HR systems development, installation, and maintenance.There is no entry fee for this category.

C14. Human Resources Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of non-executive HR professionals.There is no entry fee for this category.

C15. Human Resources Tech Innovator of the Year
Recognizing individuals who have led the adoption of cutting-edge HR technology, automation, or AI-driven solutions. There is no entry fee for this category.

C16. Internal Communications Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of individuals who specialize in internal communications.There is no entry fee for this category.

C17. Learning or Training Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of individual professionals in training or corporate learning.There is no entry fee for this category.

C18. Onboarding Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of individual professionals who work in new employee orientation and assimilation.There is no entry fee for this category.

C19. Outstanding Individual Contribution to HR
Recognizing individual professionals for their contributions to the human resources profession since the beginning of 2024.

C20. People-Focused CEO of the Year
Recognizing the top organizational executives who best demonstrate a commitment to making their organizations great employers.

C21. Recruiting or Talent Acquisition Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of individual recruiters. There is no entry fee for this category.

C22. Rising HR Star of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of human resources professionals under the age of 30. There is no entry fee for this category.

C23. Technical Recruiting Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of individual technical recruiters. There is no entry fee for this category.

C24. Workforce Planning Professional of the Year (New Category for 2026)
Recognizing those who forecast talent needs, plan for future skills, or build workforce strategy models.There is no entry fee for this category.