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Washington D.C. & Mid-Atlantic RegionAugust 16, 2024 | Waldorf Astoria Washington DC

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Program Details3rd Annual Admin Awards

Welcome to the 3rd Annual Admin Awards serving the Washington D.C. and Mid-Atlantic Region which will be held on August 16th at the iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotel Washington D.C.

The Admin Awards - Washington D.C. & Mid-Atlantic Region is our program's most convenient location for the following states, but anyone is welcome to participate in this program regardless of their geographical location.

Washington D.C.
Virginia
Maryland
West Virginia
North Carolina



There is a room block at the Waldorf Astoria for those traveling from out of the area which have limited availability. We also recommend the following nearby hotels which are in close proximity to the hotel including:

Hyatt Regency Chicago, Swissotel, InterContinental.

Nominations DeadlineJune 28

The nominations deadline for the 3rd Annual Admin Awards serving the Washington D.C. and Mid-Atlantic Region is June 28th at Midnight. There is no submission fee thanks to our National Sponsors, Southwest Airlines and Robert Half.

Nominations in support of Administrative Professionals serving as Chiefs of Staff, VP's of Administration, Executive Assistants, Administrative Assistants, Office Managers, Coordinators, Analysts etc. and those that represent the 150+ job titles that reflect the Administrative Profession. If the organization deems the role as primarily administrative in nature and the candidate agrees, we welcome the nomination.

Admin Awards GalaAugust 16, 2024Waldorf Astoria

The Admin Awards 'Good as Gold' Gala is a five-star, regional celebration of Administrative Excellence attended by Program Nominees, their Leaders, Coworkers, friends and family who gather to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Administrative Professionals. All Nominees are celebrated with the iconic Admin Awards VIP treatment including a red carpet experience, curated high-value gifts for every attending Admin and the opportunity to win amazing Major Prizes exclusively for Admin attendees! During the Awards Gala the Finalists in each award category are revealed as well as the 9 Admin Award Winners. While the focus is on Administrative Professionals, Executives and Co-Workers alike enjoy this inspirational evening filled with quality food and beverage, the camaraderie of area Business Leaders and opportunities to get into a celebratory mood, with Good as Gold prizes for the best dressed and best team spirit. No wonder the Admin Awards is known nationally as the “Academy Awards for Admins!" Grab your tickets now and get ready for an evening you won’t ever forget!

About Colleen Barrett: Her Journey from Secretary to President of Southwest Airlines and the Award that Bears Her Name

The Colleen Barrett Award for Administrative Excellence is the most coveted and prestigious honor bestowed by The Admin Awards and is named after a legend in the administrative profession, a woman who first proved herself indispensable as corporate secretary to former Southwest Airlines CEO Herb Kelleher before ascending the ranks to President and COO of the Dallas-based company in 2001. Throughout her five-decade career at Southwest Colleen advanced from Legal Secretary to VP of Administration, to EVP of Customers to President and COO and President of one of the world’s most successful airlines. Since 2008 Colleen has served as President Emeritus of Southwest and is revered for her leadership and decision-making abilities, along with her dedication to ensuring the needs of customers, employees, and all other stakeholders are met. Colleen has won many business and industry awards including one of the most important, historic and visible aerospace awards in the world, the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy which reflects a timeline of the most innovative inventors, explorers, industrialists, and public servants in aeronautics and astronautics.

  Colleen Barrett and Herb Kelleher

Colleen is also a fierce advocate for the administrative profession and she understands first-hand the extraordinary impact that high performing Admins have on an organization’s success. The Colleen Barrett Award honors Administrative Professionals who are following in her hallowed footsteps. Barrett has long credited Kelleher with helping her to succeed: “If you have a boss who will let you stretch,” she said, then you have opportunities to learn. With the Colleen Barrett Award, bosses also have an opportunity to show superstar admins how much their dedication to excellence means — and how far they too can potentially rise. The award will be presented by Barrett to an Administrative Professional who best exhibits those traits that helped her have an extraordinary impact in her role as an Admin and include: high proficiency, shares the same values as their organization, is passionately committed to their organization’s purpose, demonstrates a legendary passion for customer service internally and externally, and has a heart for employee advocacy. Colleen Barrett, Servant Leader and Superstar

Colleen Barrett presents the Colleen Barrett Award at the 2015 Dallas Admin Awards

Claire ThalerWalgreens
Angelina CascianoNJM
Erin CorcoranNSM Insurance Group
Nicola ElliottThomas Jefferson University
Julia GolkinThe Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Erin HinermanAmerisource Bergen
Grace MartinelliLexis Nexis Risk Solutions
Kelli McreynoldsIn Transition
Christina MelendezWeare Sparks
Paula MillerFive Below
Sandra NathansonAvantor Sciences
Andrew McKeoughAKSM Media
Christina GraceDLL Group
Eileen WileyWiedener University
Chantel EllingtonThe North Highland
Heather CapuanoUniversity of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Ashley BottariFS Investments
Richell BardReading Truck Group

Contribute A Major Prize and All Eyes will be on your Company at the Gala

The Admin Awards, referred to by many as “The Academy Awards for Admins” is accepting a limited number of Major Prize contributions which will be awarded during “Prize Breaks” throughout the awards ceremony. Past prizes have included all-expenses-paid vacations, electronics, spa packages, gift cards, airline tickets, designer purses and much, much more! Our Prize Breaks have become legendary and represent a potent way to endear your brand to these deserving and connected Administrative Professionals while also enjoying the captive audience of 450-650 executive and administrative attendees during the ceremony (size varies by market).

Here’s how our prize partnership program works:

  • 14 companies are showcased during three “Prize Breaks” which happen intermittently in between the nine award presentations to an audience of Administrative Professionals, their executive counterparts and coworkers.
  • Minimum prize value is $500, subject to review and approval
  • Prize Partners receive prominent display of their logo and giveaway on the big 16’ screens for about one minute while the prize contribution is drawn.
  • Every Admin that attends the Gala is automatically entered to win one of the 14 major prizes. An est. 250 – 350 admins attend each Gala.
  • Prize Partners are given the contact list of Admins including email addresses for future follow up.
  • Prize Partners will receive one ticket to attend the Gala.
  • While not all prizes are accepted, those that we believe would delight our community of Administrative Professionals and include a value of over $500 (although many are in the $1,000 – $2,500 range) are what gets us most excited.
There sometimes is a cost to participate in the Major Prize program depending on the prize, est. prize value and other factors. To view more details or to submit your major prize for consideration, click here.

The Admin Awards recognizes administrative excellence in nine individual award categories, which may vary slightly from market to market to reflect the leading industries in each program area. Below is a list of all existing award categories and their respective markets in addition to the Founders Award which is the only company award offered by the Admin Awards and is described below. Nominators do have the ability to nominate an Administrative Professional in more than one award category although an admin can only be declared a finalist in one award category (the award category with the highest score from the judges is retained).

The Team Achiever Award

Recognizes the high performing Administrative Team that worked together on a common goal, significant project or business initiative that resulted in a positive outcome.Award Category Questions

Strategic Partnership Award

This award embodies the tremendous impact an Executive Assistant and Executive can have when they work together in true business partnership to advance the needs of the business by relying on the EA role to deliver greater strategic value to the executive and organization.Award Category Questions

Colleen Barrett Award for Administrative Excellence

This is the Admin Awards’ most prestigious award and honors the Admin that best demonstrates many of the qualities which enabled Colleen Barrett’s rise from legal secretary to President and Chief Operating Officer of Southwest Airlines.Award Category Questions

Administrative Excellence in Public Service Award

The Administrative Excellence in Public Service Award honors Administrative Professionals that are involved in either the public or private sectors in the following industries: Healthcare, Biotech, Pharma, Education, Government, Nonprofit, Military, Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, Politics. Professionals in these areas have made significant contributions to the success of their organizations in an Administrative capacity.Award Category Questions

Above the Call Award

This is the award that's all about providing exceptional customer service both internally and externally and honors the Admin whose job responsibility involves significant interaction with others such as coworkers, customers, vendors, company visitors etc.Award Category Questions

Loyalty Award

The Loyalty Award is presented to the Administrative Professional that has a long history of effective service in the Admin profession (minimum of 15 years) and/or has a long history of effective service to their existing company or executive in an administrative capacity (minimum of 10 years).Award Category Questions

Spirit Award

This award celebrates Admins that are the "heartbeat" of their companies, and consistently exhibit a positive, can-do outlook and is the person that people are drawn to during good days and bad for their optimism, enthusiasm, and positivity.Award Category Questions

Achiever Award

For Admins who have a reputation for “getting it done” – either a significant project that had a company-wide impact or day in day out achievement of tasks and projects.Award Category Questions

Leadership Award

This award recognizes the Admin who leads others (formally or informally) and demonstrates a variety of leadership qualities including persistence, focus, integrity, innovation, patience, decisiveness, open-mindedness, empowerment, generosity and a passion for helping fellow employees and their organization succeed.  Award Category Questions

Founders Award

The Admin Awards' only "company" award, this award recognizes organizations that provide an exceptional work environment through the demonstration of specific criteria that brings out the very best in its Administrative Professionals.Award Category Questions

2023

Urban One Accounts Payable and Payroll teamThe Team Achiever Award
Urban One Accounts Payable and Payroll teamThe Team Achiever Award
The Team Achiever AwardUrban One Accounts Payable and Payroll team,
View Bio
Widelia AcevedoFINRAColleen Barrett Award for Administrative Excellence
Widelia AcevedoFINRAColleen Barrett Award for Administrative Excellence
Colleen Barrett Award for Administrative ExcellenceWidelia Acevedo, FINRA
View Bio
Angela WaltonPrince George's County Public SchoolsStrategic Partnership Award
Angela WaltonPrince George's County Public SchoolsStrategic Partnership Award
Strategic Partnership AwardAngela Walton, Prince George's County Public Schools
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Jasmin HarrisLMISpirit Award
Jasmin HarrisLMISpirit Award
Spirit AwardJasmin Harris, LMI
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Ivy EllisThe Education TrustLoyalty Award
Ivy EllisThe Education TrustLoyalty Award
Loyalty AwardIvy Ellis, The Education Trust
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Donnell VanSkiverFrostburg State UniversityLeadership Award
Donnell VanSkiverFrostburg State UniversityLeadership Award
Leadership AwardDonnell VanSkiver, Frostburg State University
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Glendalynn GloverVirginia Department of Veterans ServicesAdministrative Excellence in Public Service Award
Glendalynn GloverVirginia Department of Veterans ServicesAdministrative Excellence in Public Service Award
Administrative Excellence in Public Service AwardGlendalynn Glover, Virginia Department of Veterans Services
View Bio
Karen GardnerNorthrop GrummanAchiever Award
Karen GardnerNorthrop GrummanAchiever Award
Achiever AwardKaren Gardner, Northrop Grumman
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Yesenia Hernandez-BritoHealthcare Businesswomen’s AssociationAbove the Call Award
Yesenia Hernandez-BritoHealthcare Businesswomen’s AssociationAbove the Call Award
Above the Call AwardYesenia Hernandez-Brito, Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association
View Bio

2022

Margie WilliamsExecutive AssistantDigital CloakColleen Barrett Award for Administrative Excellence
Margie Williams
Margie WilliamsExecutive AssistantDigital CloakColleen Barrett Award for Administrative Excellence
Colleen Barrett Award for Administrative ExcellenceMargie Williams, Digital Cloak
View Bio
Michelle BaptisteSenior Administrative AssistantPhillip MorrisAbove the Call Award
Michelle Baptiste
Michelle BaptisteSenior Administrative AssistantPhillip MorrisAbove the Call Award
Above the Call AwardMichelle Baptiste, Phillip Morris
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Karen ClinkscalesExecutive Assistant to the CEOUrban One, Inc.Achiever Award
Karen ClinkscalesExecutive Assistant to the CEOUrban One, Inc.Achiever Award
Achiever AwardKaren Clinkscales, Urban One, Inc.
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Nancy NakhlehLead Coordinator for the Office of Government AffairsFINRAAdministrative Excellence in Public Service Award
Nancy Nakhleh
Nancy NakhlehLead Coordinator for the Office of Government AffairsFINRAAdministrative Excellence in Public Service Award
Administrative Excellence in Public Service AwardNancy Nakhleh, FINRA
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Alma TorresExecutive Administrative AssistantAltria Group, Inc.Leadership Award
Alma Torres
Alma TorresExecutive Administrative AssistantAltria Group, Inc.Leadership Award
Leadership AwardAlma Torres, Altria Group, Inc.
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Donna LakeNorthrop Grumman CorporationLoyalty Award
Donna Lake
Donna LakeNorthrop Grumman CorporationLoyalty Award
Loyalty AwardDonna Lake, Northrop Grumman Corporation
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Shelby LuzziConvention Sales Coordinator Destination DCRookie of the Year Award
Shelby Luzzi
Shelby LuzziConvention Sales Coordinator Destination DCRookie of the Year Award
Rookie of the Year AwardShelby Luzzi, Destination DC
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Kim RubinExecutive AssistantToyota Motor North AmericaSpirit Award
Kim Rubin
Kim RubinExecutive AssistantToyota Motor North AmericaSpirit Award
Spirit AwardKim Rubin, Toyota Motor North America
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Bry'an E. AzuekwuChief of StaffFTI ConsultingStrategic Business Partnership Award
Bry'an E. Azuekwu
Bry'an E. AzuekwuChief of StaffFTI ConsultingStrategic Business Partnership Award
Strategic Business Partnership AwardBry'an E. Azuekwu, FTI Consulting
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Congratulations to the 2023 Washington DC Finalists!

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