The Leadership Medals and the Denise E. Maleska Leadership Service Award are presented annually to recognize outstanding leadership in Greensboro.  Both awards recognize individuals who demonstrate exemplary leadership, positively affecting the citizens and community of Greensboro.  The awards are not based on the recipient's views, position, organization or the environment within which the recipient demonstrates outstanding leadership. The intent is to focus on the commitment, courage, and positive contribution of the recipient's leadership and the impact they are making in our community.

Leadership Medals are traditionally awarded to individuals who are graduates of Leadership Greensboro; however, those who have made a significant, positive impact upon Greensboro may also be selected.  There are 2 types of Leadership Medals: Connector Leadership Medal and Service Leadership Medal.

The Denise E. Maleska Leadership Service award was established in 2003, in honor of Denise’s incredible life work in the area of leadership and civic engagement. 

The recipients of these prestigious awards are selected by the Leadership Greensboro Advisory Board. Recipients will be recognized at the Leadership Greensboro Alumni Celebration & Awards event on January 28, 2025.  Guests of the recipients are invited to attend.

Connector Leadership Medal – Establishing Connections 

• Cultivates and promotes connections among people and organizations
• Promotes interactions to support and honor diverse perspectives
• Brings together different stakeholder groups to inspire and initiate change
• Cultivates partnerships that have the potential to make a difference in the community
• Regularly collaborates and fully engages others’ talents and passion for community impact
• Develops, maintains, and regularly utilizes a broad network of diverse partners, change makers, and sustainers

Service Leadership Medal – Serving the Community

• Demonstrates leadership through dedication and service to the community
• Inspired by purpose beyond themselves
• Promotes awareness of pressing issues and challenges in the community
• Gives of time and talents to improve quality of life of people in the community
• Shows concern for success of all stakeholders (employees, customers, business partners, communities, society as a whole – including those who are the least privileged)
• Demonstrates stewardship and commitment to civility, respect, and integrity
• Advances community driven, innovative and sustainable solutions to the communities most pressing challenges
• Work may be behind the scenes in projects that advance the community or groups in need

Denise E. Maleska Leadership Award - Impacting the Community

The Maleska Leadership Award honors and recognizes a community leader who demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities that has had a significant impact on our community.

Award Criteria:

• Has long term, breadth of civic and community engagement and contributions that have made a positive impact on the community
• Led significant impact to making Greensboro a better place to live, work, learn, and play
• Service and actions have made a lasting and meaningful contribution or impact in the community
• Responsive to community needs – goals, values, and long-term vision for Greensboro
• Creates or maintains a compelling vision for the future and helps others understand their role in achieving it
• Sets a high standard of integrity by leading through example and maintains high personal standards.
• Empowers others to make a difference / lead
• Leadership addresses issues, influencing change or new directions

Nominees:

• Must work or live in the triad area.
• Exhibit exemplary leadership in a community leadership capacity
• May or may not be a Leadership Greensboro graduate.

Deadline for Nominations: Wednesday, November 15, 2024.

Questions?  Contact Laura Lorenz, Director/Leadership Greensboro

llorenz@greensboro.org

336.387.8349