Selection Process and Committee

SELECTION PROCESS

An award winner is selected for each of the following categories:

  • Federal Employee of the Year
  • Career Achievement
  • COVID-19 Response
  • Emerging Leaders
  • Management Excellence
  • Safety, Security and International Affairs
  • Science and Environment

For each category, nominees must show:

  • Strong commitment to federal service
  • A significant accomplishment within their field that meets the needs of the American people
  • Excellence in customer service to citizens or other beneficiaries

Following a careful review and vetting process by the Partnership for Public Service, finalists are selected and announced in late spring.

Award recipients are chosen from the field of finalists by a selection committee comprised of national leaders representing government, business, entertainment, media and the non-profit/foundation community.

The members of the selection committee rank the finalists in each category based on:

  • The significance and impact of their accomplishments
  • How well they foster innovation
  • Demonstrated leadership
  • The extent to which they exemplify excellence in public service

Winners are announced in the early fall.

2021 SELECTION COMMITTEE

Amanda Bennett

Former Director
Voice of America

Dr. Michael M. Crow

President and Professor
Arizona State University

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst

Iowa

Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA

Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery
President
Howard University

U.S. Representative John Katko

New York

Stephanie Mehta

Editor-in-chief
Fast Company

Tony Reardon

National President
National Treasury Employees Union

Dr. Mariko Silver

President and CEO
Henry Luce Foundation

U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson

Mississippi

Adam Conover

Creator and host of Adam Ruins Everything

Amy Entelis

Executive Vice President, Talent & Content Development
CNN Worldwide

Anne Finucane

Vice Chairman
Bank of America

Ronnie F. Heyman

Chairman
GAF Industries

Michael Lewis

Author

Catherine Rampell

Columnist
The Washington Post

Thomas W. Ross 

President
The Volcker Alliance 

Max Stier

President and CEO
Partnership for Public Service

Neal Wolin

CEO, Brunswick Group
Board Member, Partnership for Public Service