Healthcare Businesswomen's Association

Nominations for the 2026 HBA Woman of the Year award are now open and will close on 22 October*.  

To nominate a candidate, please follow this three-step process: 

  • To begin the nomination process, please submit the applicable fee here: $500 for HBA members or $650 for non-members. (You may be prompted to log in to your HBA account or create a new account)
  • After paying the submission fee, check your email for confirmation and link to the Awards Nomination Platform.
  • Create an account on the Awards Nomination Platform, complete information fields, provide documentation (nominee bio, letters of recommendation, photo) and be prepared to share:  
    • Specific examples of how the nominee has made significant contributions and driven impactful outcomes in the healthcare ecosystem.
    • Details on how the nominee has demonstrated exceptional leadership and established an environment of workplace innovation and creativity.
    • Describe how the nominee has initiated and fostered practices that help advance the talent pipeline, include examples of impact to business outcomes. 

That's all!  Thanks for your interest in raising visibility of exceptional industry leaders.  

*Extension available through 30 October for an additional $100 administrative fee. 

Start the Nomination Process

Meet the 2025 Woman of the Year Reshema Kemps-Polanco!

Read about 2025 HBA Woman of the Year Reshema Kemps-Polanco

Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer
Novartis U.S.  

Celebrating Exceptional Leadership

HBA’s Woman of the Year award honors an exceptional leader whose work has made a significant impact in the healthcare industry. 

These individuals are innovators who have advanced global leadership change or scientific achievement. They are exceptional mentors in the workplace and beyond — setting new benchmarks and building a supportive community for their peers across the globe.

A Role Model for Our Industry

Each year, the Woman of the Year has been traditionally recognized at our annual HBA Woman of the Year event. In 2026, we will celebrate this champion at HBA's Global Ascension Awards event (in-person and virtually) that brings together influential executives, sponsors, and media to celebrate on a global stage. The Woman of the Year engages with the HBA community at international and local events throughout the year, sharing her journey and continuing to inspire and support the workforce in healthcare. 

Have questions about the HBA Global Ascension Awards? Click here to explore the Q&As and get all the details you need before submitting your nomination.

  • Submissions are reviewed by an awards selection committee of seasoned industry executives dedicated to HBA’s mission.
  • Each committee member reviews the submissions and independently ranks candidates against defined criteria.
  • The judging committee considers the summarized ratings, debates the merits of each submission, and selects the Woman of the Year.

The HBA congratulates all previous Women of the Year.

See Previous Winners