Red-Winged Leadership Awards

About the Awards

Founded in 2010, the annual Red-Winged Leadership Awards (RWLA) recognize and celebrate Seattle-area innovators who possess a demonstrated commitment to leadership, business acumen, and social responsibility.

From nonprofit organizations to business owners, RWLA nominees are selected and recognized for their transformational initiatives and solutions that are creating positive change in local communities. Cash prizes are awarded to the top nominees.

2020 Awardees

1st place

Robert Smiley - Founder, The Hand Up Project

2nd place

Chris Spahn - Founder, Birthday Dreams

Honoree

Mark Oravsky - Founder, Veteran Rites

Honoree

Andrew Powers - Co-Founder, Key Tech Labs

2019 Awardee

• Officer James Ritter – Founder/Director, SPD Safe Place
  • Office Ritter initiated “SPD Safe Place” in 2014, a program designed to address low-reporting of crimes against the LGBTQ community.
  • Over 6,000 Seattle businesses and schools now carry the SPD Safe Place decal at their entrances, indicating that they will call 911 on a victim’s behalf and offer a safe place to stay until police arrive.
  • Over 200 police departments across the US and Canada have replicated the program in their areas.

Previous Awardees

• 2018: Rebecca Murch – Executive Director, The Seattle Stand Down
• 2017: Janis Avery – CEO, Treehouse
• 2015: Sally Bergensen – Founder/CEO, Oiselle
• 2014: Tavio Hobson – Founder/Executive Director, A+ Youth Program
• 2013: Molly Stearns – Executive Director, Overlake Medical Center Foundation
• 2012: Killian Noe – Founder, Recovery Café
• 2011: Chris Fontana – Executive Director, Global Visionaries
• 2010: Rahwa Habte – Co-Owner, Hidmo Eritrean Cuisine

Donate to the RWLA

The success of the RWLA is due in large part to the generous contributions of local donors and sponsors. To make an online contribution to the RWLA, visit the Albers School of Business and Economics giving website. In the designation dropdown menu, select “Other” and add a note to the comment section specifying that the donation is for the RWLA.

About the Organizers

The RWLA are hosted and organized by Albers graduate students enrolled in MGMT 5310, Recognizing Leaders in the Community. Students collaborate on group presentations and hands-on event planning activities while learning how to inspire, empower, and lead others.