Celebrating WOMEN LEADERS
APRIL 30, 2026
SANTA CLARA MARRIOTT
WHAT:
A Networking Reception and Awards Dinner honoring influential Bay Area women leaders and companies that champion the advancement of women in leadership positions.
WHO: Tribute to Women Honorees, their friends and families, and Bay Area corporate and community leaders.
WHEN: Thursday, April 30, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (Networking Reception), 6:30 p.m. (Awards Dinner)
WHERE: Santa Clara Marriott, 2700 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054
YWCA TRIBUTE TO WOMEN AWARDS
celebrates the achievement of women who have excelled in their fields and have made significant contributions through their exceptional leadership, both in their organizations and within the Bay Area community.
For more than 40 years, YWCA’s Tribute to Women Awards has celebrated women in the workplace and is a direct investment in YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women. By uplifting women leaders—especially women of color—we are not only recognizing today’s changemakers but also inspiring the next generation. Together, we are creating a future where every girl can see her own pathway to success.
YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley’s Tribute to Women Awards is an annual fundraising event that attracts over 500 attendees, including corporate and community leaders. Your YWCA honors women leaders that represent the Bay Area’s diverse workforce in technology, business, education, healthcare, and public service.
YWCA’s Tribute to Women Awards offers excellent community recognition while meeting your philanthropic goals. Awards packages available until February 6, 2026. Sponsorships available until March 31, 2026. Email philanthropy@yourywca.org to secure your award package or sponsorship.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Your participation in the Tribute to Women Awards not only helps uplift the incredible women within your organization, it also helps raise critical funds to support the programs and operations of YWCA.
Please contact YWCA’s Philanthropy Team at philanthropy@yourywca.org to get started.
Logo featured on select event collateral and on-screen during event
Opportunity for CEO/senior executive to provide 2 minute live remarks at event
in event program (Advertisement due March 20, 2026)
Company logo linked on Tribute to Women Awards event website
Tribute to Women
1 Each Honoree package includes a table of 10 for the honoree in addition to the sponsor tables listed above.
2025 AWARDS PACKAGES
Submit a nomination for a woman leader who meets the below criteria before February 6, 2026 at bit.ly/TRIBUTENOM26.
TRIBUTE TO WOMEN AWARD PACKAGE
WOMEN ON THE RISE PACKAGE
The TRIBUTE TO WOMEN AWARD is awarded to women in executive level positions who exhibit exceptional leadership in managing people, work groups or projects, and who embody the mission of YWCA. These leaders uplift others, challenge inequities and inspire future generations to advocate for a more just future.
The WOMEN ON THE RISE AWARD is a NEW category being awarded to women who are new leaders, managers, or directors with a proven track record of success at their organizations. They are paving their own paths within their organization and in the community to promote equity, uplift communities, and inspire others through their passion and dedication.
$4000 early bird rate – submit by Dec 31, 2025
$5000 $4000 early bird rate – submit by Dec 31, 2025
EMERGING LEADER AWARD PACKAGE
NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE
The EMERGING LEADER AWARD is awarded to women who are high achievers in the first five years of their career. Within their organizations, they demonstrate strong potential for promotion and upward mobility. These leaders are often the next generation of Tribute to Women Honorees.
The NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE AWARD is awarded to women in executive-level positions at 501c3 nonprofit organizations. These leaders embrace the spirit of women’s empowerment, strengthen their communities through both professional and personal contributions, confront inequities, and serve as role models for the next generation of leaders.
2026 TRIBUTE TO WOMEN AWARDS TIMELINE
October 2025
Nominations open
December 31, 2025
Early Bird Pricing for Tribute to Women Award Nominations Ends
February 6, 2026
Nominations close, Awards Packages no longer available
February 17, 2026
Tribute to Women Honorees selected, nominators notified
February 20, 2026
Tribute to Women Award Honorees notified
March 2026 (TBD Date) Tribute to Women Honoree & Sponsor Networking Event Week of March 23 and March 30,
AWARD RULES & CRITERIA
• No limit to the number of nominations a company may submit for each category
• A maximum of 5 awards per company may be selected
• Organization must have a presence in the Bay Area
Nominations are open until February 6, 2026 at bit.ly/TRIBUTENOM26.
• Nominator must have the authority to confirm payment owed for the nomination category and will serve as the invoicing point of contact if the nomination is accepted. Award package payments are due no later than April 30, 2026
• Nominees must work primarily in Bay Area or their work primarily contributes to a positive impact in the Bay Area.
• Like YWCA Golden Gate Silicon upholds the values of empowerment, inclusion, and integrity, nominees should embody at least one of the values below at their organizations and in their community:
1) Inclusion: These nominees help provide equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded. They make significant contributions to their communities by helping others feel seen, respected, and included regardless of their background, identity or ability.
2) Integrity: These nominees demonstrate a courageous commitment to doing what is right, not what is easy, and as a result, create a lasting impact on those around them. They challenge inequities within systems, institutions and culture.
3) Empowerment: These nominees create space, shift power and actively work to dismantle barriers of inequity, ensuring that more voices are heard, valued and uplifted. They inspire others to lead with purpose and confidence.
• Nominees must serve in a leadership role (project, team, department, division, organization).
• Nominees must be a mid-level manager or in a position of leadership that does not qualify as executive.
• Nominees must be in the first five years of their professional career overall, not just in the first five years at the organization.
• Nominees must serve in an executive-level position at a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
TRIBUTE TO WOMEN AWARD
WOMEN ON THE RISE AWARD
SHINING A LIGHT ON WOMEN LEADERS
The Tribute to Women Awards are both celebratory and critical. We shine a light on women across all industries and levels of leadershipcelebrating not just titles, but impact.
For every In 2023, for every
100 MEN
PROMOTED FROM ENTRY-LEVEL TO MANAGER
87 WOMEN
100 MEN
ONLY ONLY
PROMOTED TO MANAGER ARE PROMOTED ARE PROMOTED
73 WOMEN OF
COLOR
By uplifting women leaders--especially women of color — we are not only recognizing today’s changemakers but also inspiring the next generation. Together, we are creating a future where every girl can see her own pathway to success. down from 82 last year
ABOUT YWCA GOLDEN GATE SILICON VALLEY
YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. We are rooted in our Theory of Change which requires a continuum of response to the challenges of racism, sexism, and gender-based violence. That’s why we offer direct services to meet immediate needs, issue education to change hearts and minds, and advocate to change the rules and systems in order to achieve greater equity and justice for all.
yourywca.org
