FAQ

• What are The New Era of Leadership Awards, and how are they different from other awards?

  As the most powerful network of executive women, we know good leadership when we see it. We created The New Era of Leadership Awards to spotlight executive women shaping the future of business.
  
  For our inaugural awards, we surveyed 600 C-Suite leaders to pinpoint five attributes that define exceptional leadership today. Based on their insights — and new insights from the Chief community — winners are honored for their innovation, compassion, creativity, purpose, and resilience. Our panel of judges, which includes CEOs, industry disruptors, and Chief Members, draws on their expertise to recognize standout executive talent.

• Who is eligible? Are the nominees and winners limited to the Chief Member community?

  We’re looking for senior executive women across all industries who defined exceptional leadership in the 2024 calendar year. Nominees should be based in the United States and can include:

  • Senior executive women who are C-Suite leaders, founders, or VPs
  • Public- and private-sector leaders
  • Chief Members and those not affiliated with Chief. We know that leadership excellence exists both within and outside of Chief, and we believe all of it should be celebrated. Chief membership is not required to participate.

• Why should I submit a nomination?

  Nominating an executive for Chief’s The New Era of Leadership Awards is an opportunity to showcase their journey and impact. By participating, the nominee can join a community of forward-thinking women leaders driving positive change. Winners gain:
  
  

  • Visibility: Receive recognition across Chief's channels, reaching an audience of 500,000+ leading professionals.
  • Platform: Select winners will get to share their thought leadership through Chief's editorial coverage, media, and events.
  • Credit: Unlike other awards programs, winners can leverage the award for brand-building efforts at no extra cost.

• How do I submit a nomination?

  Fellow executives, employees, investors, or any communications representatives may submit nominations for The New Era of Leadership Awards. Visit thenewera.chief.com/nominate, where you'll find an application form. Here are a few expert tips for crafting a winning entry:
  
  

  1. Craft a compelling narrative: Develop a narrative that communicates the nominee’s leadership journey and impact. Focus on specific examples from the past year that showcase their contributions and the resulting change.
  2. Quantify achievements: Whenever possible, quantify the nominee’s achievements to provide a clear understanding of their impact. Whether it's in terms of revenue growth, employee engagement, or other measurable outcomes, numbers add credibility to their leadership story.
  3. Tie in the award themes: Tailor your application to align with the characteristics of a new-era leader. Whether it's innovation, empathy, creativity, purpose, or resilience, ensure that the nominee’s narrative resonates with these defining themes.
  4. Review and refine: Before submitting, thoroughly review your submission to ensure clarity, coherence, and accuracy. Please answer all of the questions in the application as completely and honestly as possible. This will give the nominee their best possible chance of winning.

• How will winners be chosen?

  Nominations for The New Era of Leadership Awards by Chief will be evaluated based on a variety of qualitative and quantitative factors. Our panel of judges, including notable execs, thought leaders, and industry experts, will evaluate each nominee based on, but not limited to the following:
  
  Relevance:

  • Do they meaningfully address current challenges and opportunities?
  • How relevant and newsworthy is the leadership work being presented?

  
  
  Impact:

  • What results or achievements can be attributed to their work?
  • To what extent does the executive or company impact lives, industries, teams, or communities?

  
  
  Innovation:

  • What sets them apart from others in their industry?
  • Is there evidence of forward-thinking strategies, creative problem-solving, or innovative practices?

  
  
  Adaptability:

  • How have they navigated challenges and changes?
  • Have they demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity or uncertainty?

  
  
  Creativity:

  • How have they reimagined traditional business models or practices with creative solutions?
  • Have they introduced any unique, creative strategies that have disrupted their industry or market?

• Is there a cost to nominate?

  No, there is no cost associated with submitting a nomination for The New Era of Leadership Awards. We believe in creating an inclusive and accessible platform that celebrates leadership excellence without financial barriers.

• When is the deadline to nominate?

  The deadline to submit nominations for The New Era of Leadership Awards is March 31, 2025. Please ensure your nominations are complete before this date.

• When will winners be announced?

  The winners of The New Era of Leadership Awards will be announced in May 2025.