Community
Awards
Emerging Leader Award
The DMEC Emerging Leader Award recognizes individuals in disability and absence management who contribute innovative and creative solutions for complex industry challenges, and demonstrate leadership in their organizations, the industry, and/or DMEC. Help us celebrate the meaningful work these professionals do and nominate leaders today! The 2025 DMEC Emerging Leader Award nomination process is open from March 12-May 16.
Learn about the 2024 DMEC Emerging Leader Award Winner
Learn about the 2024 DMEC Emerging Leader Award Winner in this article that highlights the innovative work done by Tamisha Waters, IPMA-SCP, senior personnel analyst I for the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks: Celebrating Leadership and Innovation in Disability and Absence Management.
Learn how the 2024 DMEC Emerging Leader Award winner is helping employees return to work while providing access to resources for gaining new skills and expanding their horizons in this DMEC podcast episode with Tamisha Waters, IPMA-SCP, senior personnel analyst I for the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.
Who Should Apply for the Emerging Leaders Award?
- All professionals in the disability and absence management field, who have demonstrated leadership aptitude within their organization, the industry, and/or DMEC. This application process is open to DMEC members and professionals who have not yet joined the Association.
- This award is focused on professionals who have worked in the field for fewer than 10 years.
- DMEC’s goal with the Emerging Leader Award is to recognize and celebrate professionals who have designed innovative and creative solutions for complex leave and/or disability challenges.
- Professionals can be nominated by their supervisors, colleagues, vendor partners, or anyone who has knowledge of their contributions to the field.
- The nominee cannot currently be serving on DMEC’s Employer Advisory Council, Executive Advisory Board, or the National Board of Directors.
Award Recipient Recognition & Benefits
The winner of the 2025 DMEC Emerging Leader Award will be recognized during the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference, Aug 04-07, 2025, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
In addition, the winner will receive:
- Complimentary conference registration for the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference.
- Complimentary hotel stay during the Annual Conference.
- A $300 voucher for conference travel.
- One year of DMEC individual membership.
- One complimentary DMEC microcredential course.
- Invitation to attend the Annual Conference luncheon with the DMEC Executive Advisory Board, Employer Advisory Council, and Board of Directors.
- Feature story in @Work magazine and/or a DMEC podcast episode that details accomplishments.
- Recognition on DMEC’s website, newsletter, and social media channels.
Award Announcement:
Award winners are notified in early June and announced publicly at the DMEC Annual Conference in August.
Nomination & Selection Process
The DMEC Emerging Leader Award nomination period is open between March 12, 2025 and May 16, 2025. Individuals can be nominated by their supervisors, colleagues, vendor partners, or anyone who has specific knowledge of their contributions to the field.
All nominations will be reviewed, and a winner will be selected by a DMEC committee. All nominees will be informed of their nomination, and the winner will be notified in June and celebrated publicly during the DMEC Annual Conference in August.
Past Recipients
RECIPIENT | YEAR |
| Tamisha Waters | 2024 |
| Ashleigh Brock | 2023 |
| Keemia Vaghef | 2023 |
| Stefanie Shuey | 2022 |
| William Frystak | 2022 |
| Erin Ludy | 2021 |
| Lai-Sahn Hackett | 2021 |
| Jodi MacHutchin | 2019 |
