2025 Mary Means Leadership Award
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About the Award
Since its founding, the Main Street program’s success has depended upon the vision and determination of leaders committed to community. To celebrate these directors and recognize the outstanding leadership of the Main Street program’s own founder, Main Street America introduced the Mary Means Leadership Award in 2019.
Annually at the Main Street Now conference, the award is a celebration of an outstanding leader(s) per year and highlights the critical role that leadership plays in shaping the Main Street movement.
The Mary Means Leadership Award nomination process will be an open call to any and all leaders at local Main Street organizations and Coordinating Programs.
This campaign aims to:
· Showcase the importance of leadership to the Main Street movement.
· Provide recognition to and celebrate a diverse group of innovative Main Street leaders from across the country.
· Amplify local and/or state achievement at the national level.
Criteria
Nominee must be currently employed by or volunteer (including Board Members) with a local Main Street America or Coordinating Program. Applicants must have an active Main Street America membership.
Open nomination process - individuals can nominate themselves or be nominated by others.
The nominations must demonstrate how the individual:
o Builds local capacity
o Leads through strategy
o Centers equity in work
o Brings together diverse stakeholders through shared vision
o Demonstrates commitment to continuous learning
o Advances community preservation ethic in their work
o Exhibits innovation and ingenuity
Supplemental Material: Letters of Support from local stakeholders, including Board, local officials, district business/property owners, residents, etc.)