[[[Brief Description]]]
Champions of Change Awards
Honoring the
Impactful Champions in our Community
The Champions of Change Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals who inspire, empower, and advocate for women in Fort Wayne / Allen County.
Award Criteria
The Champions of Change Awards are presented to individuals making a substantial impact in one of the following sectors:
The awards are given annually to individuals currently working and/or living in the greater Fort Wayne area / Allen County who:
- Demonstrate an unwavering passion and commitment to our community.
- Are role models and mentors making a difference in the lives of others.
- Have made significant contributions that have inspired women to succeed.
- Have made Allen County a better place to live, work, and play.
Previous Winners
We have shined a well-deserved spotlight on more than 140 mentors and awarded the following individuals:
2025
- Jama Ross
- Dawn Clopton
- Captain Andrea Burton
- Casey Claypool
- Dr. Debra Faye Williams-Robbins
2024
- Whitney Bandemer
- Lisa D. Givan
- Denita Washington
- Stephanie Crandall
2023
- Flora Barrón
- Daniel Boylan
- Lori Morgan
- Sharon Pohly
2022
- Alison Gerardot
- Jeanné Wickens
- Jeff Roberts
2019
- Wendy Moyle
- John Dortch
Submit your
Champions of Change Nominations
Applications for the 2025 Champions of Change Awards have close. Please stay tuned for the 2026 Champions of Change Awards application opening in early 2026.
- Nominees are eligible for re-nomination in subsequent years by meeting the requirements of the award.
- You may nominate yourself for the Champions of Change award.
- Once a nomination has been received, nominators will be directed to a confirmation page. Nominees will be notified only if they are chosen as a finalist.
- Nominations will be reviewed on a blind basis by a committee of local leaders. To maintain objectivity, all names will be removed from nominations prior to review.
- Award winners will be announced at the Champions of Change Awards dinner.
- Finalists will be notified prior to the awards dinner and offered a complimentary ticket to attend. A finalist’s name, bio, and/or photo may be used for social media or marketing promotional materials by GFW Inc.
- Greater Fort Wayne Inc. reserves the right to decline a nomination and/or rescind an award from the winner in cases of fraudulent or criminal allegations, accusations, investigations, or charges.
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