DMEC Celebrates Innovation in Integrated Disability Absence Management Circles

DMEC encourages you to nominate extraordinary individuals who champion innovation in integrated disability and absence management programs. Prioritizing strategic planning and data-driven, quantifiable outcomes, these innovators lead the way in developing comprehensive strategies that harmonize regulatory compliance, employee support, stay-at-work and return-to-work initiatives, and accommodations for disabilities into a cohesive framework.

For the past five years, DMEC has recognized Emerging Leaders in the field, and this year we’re introducing the Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award to celebrate the visionary ethos and spirit of our cofounders Sharon Kaleta and Marcia Carruthers. It will pay tribute to their unwavering commitment to integrated disability and absence management (IDAM), a field that, as Marcia highlighted in the recent podcast episode A Lesson in Passion & Perseverance: DMEC Celebrates 30 Years, demands courage, fearlessness, and deep passion.

Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award: Celebrating IDAM Excellence

This award recognizes industry trailblazers, who have developed best-in-class IDAM programs and can share objective data that illustrates better efficiencies and sustained improvement as a return on investment (ROI). DMEC will bestow the new Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award every other year.

Who Should Apply for the Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award? 

  • DMEC members who have pioneered IDAM programs that have demonstrated a ROI.
  • DMEC members who have implemented innovative, cost-effective IDAM programs that demonstrate passion, creativity, and a willingness to take risks.

Award Benefits: 

  • 🌟 Complimentary full conference registration for the 2024 DMEC Annual Conference.
  • 🏨 Complimentary hotel stay during the conference.
  • ✈️ A $300 travel voucher for conference travel.
  • 🌟 Complimentary DMEC membership for one year.
  • 🌟 Complimentary registration for a DMEC microcredential course.
  • 🍽️ Exclusive luncheon with the DMEC Executive Advisory Board, Employer Advisory Council, and Board of Directors.
  • 🎙️ Featured in an @Work magazine article and/or a podcast.
  • 🎤Opportunity to lead a webinar or conference session about the IDAM program.
  • 🔊 Recognition on DMEC’s website, the DMEC Bulletin newsletter, and social media.

Nomination Process:

  • The nomination process is open to individuals, who want to nominate themselves, and to colleagues and industry partners.
  • Applications should highlight the effectiveness of IDAM programs with a documented ROI in cost and savings.
  • Nominees cannot currently be serving on DMEC’s Employer Advisory Council, Executive Advisory Board, or the National Board of Directors.

Nominations will be accepted through May 30. 

DMEC Emerging Leader Award

The DMEC Emerging Leader Award recognizes individuals in IDAM who are contributing innovative and creative solutions for complex leave or disability challenges, and demonstrate evolving leadership within their organizations, the industry, and/or DMEC.

Who Should Apply for the Emerging Leaders Award? 

  • DMEC members and those who have not yet joined DMEC, who work in the IDAM field.
  • IDAM professionals, who have worked in the industry between one and 10 years can be nominated by their supervisors, colleagues, vendor partners, or anyone who has specific knowledge of the individual’s absence management contributions.

Award Benefits:

  • Complimentary full conference registration for the 2024 DMEC Annual Conference.
  • 🏨 Complimentary hotel stay during the conference.
  • ✈️ A $300 travel voucher for conference travel.
  • 🌟 Complimentary DMEC membership for one year.
  • 🌟 Complimentary registration for a DMEC microcredential course.
  • 🍽️ Exclusive luncheon with the DMEC Executive Advisory Board, Employer Advisory Council, and Board of Directors.
  • 🎙️ Featured in an @Work magazine article and/or a podcast.
  • 🎤Opportunity to lead a webinar or conference session about the IDAM program.
  • 🔊 Recognition on DMEC’s website, the DMEC Bulletin newsletter, and social media.

Nomination Process:

  • The nomination process is open to individuals, who want to nominate themselves, and to colleagues and industry partners.
  • Nominees cannot currently be serving on DMEC’s Employer Advisory Council, Executive Advisory Board, or the National Board of Directors.

Nominations will be accepted through May 30. 

Emerging Leader Award Past Recipients

Learn more about our 2023 winners in the @Work article Celebrating Leadership in Absence and Disability Management Circles, the  2022 winners in the @Work article How Do You Define Leadership? DMEC Emerging Leader Award Winners Share Insights, and one of the 2021 winners in the podcast episode Encouraging Leadership for Early Careerists.

Below is a list of our past award winners.

Recipient
Year
Ashleigh Brock 2023
Keemia Vaghef 2023
Stefanie Shuey 2022
William Frystak 2022
Erin Ludy 2021
Lai-Sahn Hackett 2021
Jodi MacHutchin 2019