HR Excellence Awards


2025 SHRM-MEMPHIS HR EXCELLENCE AWARDS PROGRAM

Each year, the SHRM-Memphis chapter hosts a Signature Event to appreciate and celebrate HR Professionals from around the Greater Memphis area. The SHRM Memphis HR Excellence Awards Program is designed to recognize individuals and organizations that have displayed excellence at all levels of the Human Resources career field. Based on the nominations, the any or all of the following may be annually awarded:

      • Organization Awards
        • Most Admired Organization in HR
        • HR Innovation Award
        • HR Team Excellence Awards (multiple awards for Benefits, Talent Management, etc.)

      • Individual Awards
        • Professional of the Year Awards (multiple awards for Benefits, Talent Management, etc.)
        • HR Labor and Employment Attorney of the Year
        • HR Student of the Year
        • HR Emerging Leader

      • Signature Awards
        • George Mabon Executive Award
        • Lifetime Achievement Award


Nominations will be accepted till October 11, 2025.

Eligibility for SHRM-Memphis HR Excellence Awards:

The SHRM-Memphis HR Excellence Awards are open to any organization in the Greater Memphis area, to include North Mississippi and Eastern Arkansas. Individual awards are open to all HR Professionals - there are no requirements to be affiliated with SHRM National, hold a SHRM Certification or be an active member of SHRM-Memphis to be nominated or win an award.

  • Specific eligibility for Organization Awards

    • Team awards consist of any team with two or more members working together in a Human Resources field of expertise (i.e., Benefits, Talent Management, Learning, HRIS, etc.).

  • Specific eligibility for Individual Awards
    • HR Professional of the Year Award – Nominees must currently be working in the HR field of expertise for which they will be recognized.
    • HR Labor and Employment Attorney of the Year - Nominees must have been an HR labor and employment attorney for at least a year in an organization.
    • HR Student of the Year – Nominees must have attended at least one semester or currently be a student pursuing a Human Resources professional field at a Greater Memphis school.

    • HR Emerging Leader – Nominees must be younger than 35 years or have 5 years or less of HR experience.

  • Specific eligibility for Signature Awards

    • George Mabon Executive Award - Nominees must be in an executive position and have over 10 years of HR experience

    • Lifetime Achievement Award – Nominee must be a professional and have over 20 years of HR experience.

Previous awardees will not be eligible for the same award with the exception of nominations for HR Professional of the Year in a different field of expertise.

SHRM-Memphis HR Excellence Award Nomination Process:
Nominations will be encouraged by the organization, individual, and signature levels. Self-nominations are acceptable.Nominations will be completed using the link provided above. 

An independent panel of judges will review the nominations and use a structured process for determining the winner(s) for each category.

SHRM-Memphis HR Excellence Award Descriptions:

  • Most Admired Organization in HR – The purpose of this award is to recognize an organization exemplifies globally recognized Human Resources standards and service and deserve admiration for its culture and processes. Nominations for this award should describe what is unique about your HR/Culture programs, not list just standard policy. Highlight any credible workplace awards received such as Fortune 100 Best, Best for Diversity, etc. Describe what makes your programs stand out from all others in the areas of diversity, career development, employer branding, veteran initiatives, female programs, health and wellness, perks, etc. Weight will be given to nominations that can support the effectiveness of their programs through credible employee surveys or other systems designed to assess workplace culture and engagement.

 

  • HR Innovation Award - The purpose of this award is to recognize an organization that has developed new and unique methods of promoting Human Resources standards and services. Nominations for this award should describe fresh new ideas (something new, original or improved) that create value for your company. Specifically, what innovative idea(s), or new program, product, process, service, policy, perquisite, etc. makes your company unique.

 

  • HR Team Excellence Awards – Due to the many fields of expertise in the HR profession, more than one Team Award can be given each year. The purpose of these awards is to recognize highly effective HR Teams that make a positive impact on their organization. Nominations for these awards should briefly describe the nominated team’s history and past performance, outline the team's achievements since the beginning of the year, and explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant.

 

  • Professional of the Year Awards - Due to the many fields of expertise in the HR profession, more than one Professional of the Year Award can be given each year. The purpose of these awards is to recognize a highly effective HR professional that has made a positive impact on their organization. Nominations for these awards should briefly describe the nominated individual: their history and past performance; outline their achievements since the beginning of the year, explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. There will be up awards given in this category.

 

  • HR Student of the Year – With multiple colleges and universities in the Greater Memphis area, more than one Student of the Year Award can be given each year. The purpose of this awards is to recognize a college-level student that is actively pursuing an HR profession and participates significantly in extracurricular activities. Nominations for the Student of the Year should detail outstanding students who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, citizenship, academic and/or career and technical achievement.

  • HR Labor and Employment Attorney of the Year  – The purpose of this award is to recognize a highly effective HR Labor and Employment Attorney that has made a positive impact on their organization and/or the Memphis Business community. Nominations for these awards should briefly describe the nominated individual: their history and past performance; outline their achievements since the beginning of the year, explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant.

 

  • HR Emerging Leader - The purpose of this award is to recognize an up-and-coming HR professional that has made a positive impact on their organization. Nominations for these awards should briefly describe the nominated individual, outline their achievements since the beginning of the year, and explain why the achievements are unique or significant.

 

  • George Mabon Executive Award - The purpose of this award is to recognize an executive HR professional that has made a positive impact on their organization. Nominations for these awards should briefly describe the nominated individual, outline their achievements, and explain why the achievements are unique or significant.

 

  • Lifetime Achievement Award - The purpose of this award is to recognize an HR professional that has made a positive impact on the HR Profession in the Greater Memphis area. Nominations for these awards should briefly describe the nominated individual, outline their achievements throughout their career, and explain why the achievements are unique or significant.

 
Nominations will be accepted till October 11, 2025.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Malinda Tyson, SHRM-Memphis President-Elect at [email protected].


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