Invest IN HER Awards Ceremony & Reception

Ceremony & Reception

Ignite. Nurture. Highlight. Empower. Recognize.

Celebrating Leadership, Innovation, and Impact in the AEC/O Industry

Following a full day of connection, inspiration, and bold conversations at the 2026 Invest in Women Forum, we are thrilled to announce our inaugural Invest IN HER Awards — a star-studded celebration recognizing the women and organizations transforming the AEC/O industry through leadership, innovation, mentorship, and impact.

These awards shine a light on those who embody the spirit of the Forum—trailblazers who lead with purpose, break barriers, and lift others as they rise. They are the builders and the dreamers, the mentors and the makers, whose work transforms our industry into something more inclusive, more innovative, and infinitely more human.

Award categories include both Individual and Organizational recognitions. Nominees may come from all corners of the AEC/O space, and we encourage submissions that reflect a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and disciplines. 

Announcing the Award Nominees...

2026 Award Categories

Game-Changer Award (Individual)

For bold disruptors pushing the industry forward.
Honors a woman who has challenged the status quo and sparked transformational change. Whether through new ideas, policies, or practices, this individual is fearless in addressing industry challenges head-on and creating lasting impact.

Rising Star Award

For emerging talent lighting up the future.
Celebrates a woman in the early stages of her career who demonstrates remarkable potential, initiative, and leadership. She’s already making waves—and she’s just getting started.

Leadership in Action Award

For leaders who walk the talk.
Recognizes a woman whose leadership style is both strategic and deeply human. She inspires action, cultivates trust, and consistently delivers meaningful results for her team, organization, or community.

Legacy Award

For a career that built a lasting stage.
Honors a woman with a long-standing track record of achievement and service in the AEC/O industry. Through mentorship, resilience, and advocacy, she has opened doors for others and helped shape the industry landscape.

Champion of Equity and Inclusion Award

For those who make space for everyone to shine.
Acknowledges a woman who actively advances equity, diversity, and inclusion within her organization or the industry at large. Her work builds a more just, representative, and welcoming future for all.

️Tradeswoman of the Year Award

For excellence in the field—hands-on and heart-forward.
Celebrates a woman working in a trade or field-based role who demonstrates exceptional skill, professionalism, and commitment to her craft. She sets the standard and leads by example.

Mentor of the Year Award

For guiding lights who lift others up.
Recognizes a woman who generously shares her time, wisdom, and encouragement to support the growth and success of others. She’s a trusted advisor, a listener, and a force for good.

Innovator of the Year Award (Organization)

For organizations driving bold solutions and fresh thinking.
Honors a company or agency that has demonstrated a commitment to innovation—through technology, policy, program design, or partnerships—that advances both business goals and community well-being.

Ally for Women Award (Organization)

For organizations creating systems where women thrive.
Recognizes a company or institution making intentional strides to recruit, retain, and promote women at all levels. Their culture, policies, and actions demonstrate a commitment to gender equity in the workplace.

This milestone year is your chance to be part of something bold, brilliant, and beautifully human.

Reserve your seat, take the stage, and help us shape the next decade of impact.
#InvestInWomen #ByDesign #ILinCP