2026 HBA Rising Star and Luminary Award Information
2026 HBA Rising Star and Luminary Awards
We look forward to honoring the 2026 Class of the Rising Stars and Luminaries at the 2026 Global Ascension Leadership Experience on 23-24 April in sunny San Diego at the Gaylord Pacific Resort.
Important Dates
20 February - Rising Star and Luminary Responses due
6 March - Deadline to register for in-person events (Note: No fees for RSLs)
26 March -- Honoree Information Webinar | Register Here!
31 March - Public Announcement of Awardees
23 April - Invite-Only Celebrating Rising Stars and Luminaries Events in San Diego, Calif.
24 April - Global Ascension Leadership Experience Awards Event in San Diego, Calif.
Checklist for Submitters
- Awardee name
- Awardee email address
- Rationale for submission (maximum 300 words)
- Rising Star: Describe how the nominee has served as an emerging leader by driving results, inspiring collaboration, and uplifting others as they help to shape the future of their organization and community.
- Luminary: Describe how the nominee has served as an influential leader, and how their vision and mentorship/sponsorship has helped light the way for the next generation of healthcare talent.
Checklist for Rising Star/Luminary Recipients
- Preferred contact information
- High-resolution headshot (minimum of 2400 x 3000 pixels, 300 DPI)
- Name and company pronunciation
- RSVP for HBA's Global Ascension Leadership Experience Events (23-24 April, San Diego, CA)
- Reaction video (show us your excitement about your honor!)
Here's a look at a previous honoree video montage.
RSL Benefits
- Brand visibility for honorees and company at HBA’s annual Spring celebration—the Global Ascension Leadership Experience events (formerly Woman of the Year)
- Branded social media toolkit (before the HBA’s 31 March announcement) to help promote your honorees
- Invitation to exclusive RSL events on 23 April
- Complimentary registration to the Global Ascension Leadership Experience event on 24 April
- Complimentary HBA membership
- Exclusive honoree access to the Astral Leadership Program, a virtual program led by HBA’s Constellation League
HBA Astral Leadership Program
An exclusive leadership accelerator for Rising Stars and Luminaries that fast-tracks high-potential talent while reinforcing HBA’s Corporate Partners’ commitment to developing future-ready leaders.
Led by HBA’s Constellation League—former executive volunteer leaders, Women of the Year, Honorable Mentors, and STARS—this five-part virtual program builds executive-level capability in strategic influence, executive presence, negotiation, and leading change, while expanding cross-industry networks.
Graduates have advanced into broader leadership roles, making this benefit a proven extension of corporate talent development strategies—driving engagement, retention, and employer brand, and signaling a clear investment in the next generation of leaders.
Insights from the 2025 Class of Astral Leadership Participants:
- 100% of participants recommend the program to fellow and incoming Rising Stars and Luminaries
- 100% of participants want to continue meeting with their cohort
- 95% of participants were very satisfied with the program.
