Emerging Leader Award
The DMEC Emerging Leader Award recognizes individuals in leave and accommodation management who contribute innovative and creative solutions for complex industry challenges, and demonstrate leadership in their organizations, the industry, and/or DMEC.
Key Dates
The award is given every two years. The next nomination cycle is March 2027.
2025 winner: Kelly Woodbridge
Kelly Woodbridge has built her career at the intersection of accessibility, compliance, and inclusion. With experience spanning higher education, government vocational rehabilitation, and clinical mental health counseling, she brings a rare depth of perspective to accommodation and leave management. She is recognized for her work in ADA compliance, disability policy, and neurodiversity inclusion, and for delivering training that creates lasting change at every level of an organization. Kelly also teaches disability studies as an adjunct professor and has received national and regional awards for her leadership in building more inclusive workplaces.
Who can apply
Leave and accommodation leaders with fewer than 10 years of experience, who have designed innovative and creative solutions for complex challenges.
This application process is open to DMEC members and professionals who have not yet joined the association.
The nominee cannot currently be serving on DMEC’s Employer Advisory Council, Executive Advisory Board, or the National Board of Directors.
How nominations work
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.
What winners receive
- Full complimentary registration for the DMEC Annual Conference.
- Complimentary hotel stay during the conference.
- A $300 travel voucher.
- One year of complimentary DMEC membership.
- Complimentary registration for a DMEC microcredential course.
- An exclusive luncheon with the DMEC Executive Advisory Board, Employer Advisory Council, and Board of Directors.
- A feature in @Work magazine.
- The opportunity to lead a webinar or conference session.
- Recognition on DMEC’s website, newsletter, and social media.
