Purpose and background
The Foundation for Global Scholars (FGS) has created two exciting awards: the Global Changemaker Emerging Leader and the Global Changemaker Lifetime Leader awards. The Award honors U.S. citizens who have made a meaningful difference, a positive impact and lasting change internationally. We are looking for those great individuals who have not been fully or appropriately recognized for the powerful difference they have made.
This program is a part of advancing the mission, purpose, and programs offered by FGS by recognizing global changemakers. Any U.S. citizen is eligible to receive the award; however, individuals may not nominate themselves. Awards are given once a year at FGS’ annual gala, Eat Drink Travel.
Award winners are chosen by a panel of diverse judges who are themselves global changemakers. Winners receive a $1,000 each to be given toward their choice project and will be publicly recognized at our Eat Drink Travel gala, as well as highlighted with their personal story on our web site.
The Global Changemaker Lifetime Award honors those intrepid individuals (40+ years old) who have made a meaningful impact on a global level over the course of their lives and who inspire others to do the same. They have started international organizations, volunteered internationally, and/or invested time, resources and talents in other countries that helped improve lives and communities. They are role models for the rest of us.
The Global Changemaker Emerging Leader Award is for young professionals (22-39 years old) who mobilize themselves and others to make a difference on an international scale. They are inspired by our global challenges and are part of innovative solutions. They have started international organizations, volunteered internationally, and/or invested time, resources and talents in other countries that helped improve lives and communities. They are role models for our future generation of global leaders.
2015 winners
Our 2015 Global Changemaker Award winners are:
- Karen Sugar, Lifetime Leader
- Erin Subedi, Emerging Leader
2015 nominees
Congratulations to our 2015 nominees for global changemaker – lifetime leader
Peter Munson: Episcopalian Relief and Development
Monica Labiche Brown: Africa Development Promise
Cathy Rehfus-Wilsek: Refuge International
Tami Hoffman: Hoffman Family Foundation
Jennifer Lund: Agnes Scott College
Karen Scheeringa: Hearts in Motion
Loren Crabtree: Semester at Sea
Julie Labonte: Water for People
Diana Morrow: Angel Covers
Jamie van Leeuwen: Global Livingston Institute
Karen DeBartolome: World Denver
Ross Wehner: World Leadership School
David Talbot: Rotary International
Marilyn Murphy: Cloth Roads
Lori Michau: Raising Voices
Leslie Jacobson: The Power of 7
Betsey Hoke: AfricAid, Inc.
Karen Sugar: Women’s Global Empowerment Fund
Kari Fillmore: Angel Covers
Devin Hibbard: Bead for Life
Kari Grossman: Sustainable Schools International
Congratulations to our 2015 nominees for global changemaker – emerging leaders
Michael Lucerto: EUSA-Academic Internship Programs
Zoe Barker-Aderem: Water 1st International
Charles Fayal: ParrotMD
Alyssa Montelone: Rostro de Christo
Brady Blackburn: Untold International
Melissa Theesen: Children’s Future International
Brisa de Angulo: A Breeze of Hope
Ryan Sarafolean: Kibera Girls Soccer Academy
Elizabeth Ellis: iDE
Sherry Manning: Friends of ENCA Farm
Amunda: Uivalo
Eligibility & Award Criteria
Nominees must be nominated by a colleague, associate, friend or family member who can represent the impact the nominee has made.
The Global Changemaker Emerging Leader and Lifetime Leader Awards are eligible to U.S. citizens who:
- Are Emerging Leaders between the ages of 22-39 or Lifetime Leaders 40+ years old
- Initiated or participated in a program/project in at least one country outside the U.S., which has made a meaningful and measurable impact on the greater community
- Discover, create or engaged in innovative solutions to global challenges
- Have not been fully or appropriately recognized for the powerful changes they have made