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Empwr
ment Awards

RECOGNIZING THE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS CHAMPIONING DISABILITY EMPOWERMENT IN THE WORLD OF BUSINESS

2023/24 Awards Application + Nomination Form Will Be Available Soon

Current Student Awards

Excellence in Allyship
This award goes to a business student or b-school student organization which has executed a project which accomplished greater access and belonging for disabled people in business. Winner will receive a $500 scholarship.

2022 Honoree: Mary Cayten Brakefield, Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management
Self-Advocate of the Year
This award goes to a business school student with a disability who has demonstrated excellence both as an advocate for disability and an MBA student. Winner will receive a $1000 scholarship.

2022 Honoree: Jonathan Van Dongen, Duke Fuqua School of Business

Professional Awards

Distinguished Early Career Professional
This award goes to a business professional with a disability who has demonstrated excellence both as an advocate for disability and an employee in the workforce. This person must be less than 8 years out from graduating undergraduate OR less than 5 years out from completing graduate school.

2022 Honoree: Bryan Stromer, Amazon
Lifetime Professional Achievement 
This award goes to a business professional with a disability who has demonstrated excellence both as an advocate for disability and an employee in the workforce. This person must have been in the workforce for at least 10 years.

2022 Honoree: Brad Loftus, Boston Consulting Group

Organization Awards

Nonprofit Impact
This award goes to a nonprofit organization which has created tremendous positive impact for students with disabilities, either 1) as they seek competitive employment or 2) as they establish themselves as early career professionals.

2022 Honoree: The Ford Foundation, represented by Rebecca Cokely
Leadership in Disability Empwrment
This award goes to a for-profit organization which has implemented an innovative initiative designed to make their organization more inclusive and empowering of disabled employees.

2022 Honoree: JP Morgan Chase, represented by Meg Recktenwald
People's Choice for Company of the Year
This award goes to a for-profit organization which has won the most votes of students attending that year's Empwr Conference. Voting will take place after the Opportunity Fair, giving firms an opportunity to showcase their accessibility and inclusion initiatives.

2022 Honoree: Boston Consulting Group, represented by Kathryn Georgakopoulos
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