2026 Forum Catalyst Award Application

2026 Forum Catalyst Award Application
Overview:

The Catalyst Award recognizes outstanding women whose leadership is creating meaningful impact in private, public, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial settings. Many of these leaders advance change without traditional recognition or visibility; women whose work is essential and significant, yet may be overlooked due to role, identity, sector, or nontraditional career path. The Catalyst Award shines a light on their contributions and supports their continued growth.

Each year, the Forum Foundation selects Catalyst Award recipients who participate in a year-long leadership accelerator. The Catalyst Award honors their achievements while expanding their reach and reinforcing their leadership across sectors and communities.

Nomination Criteria:

Catalyst Award nominees are women who demonstrate:
- Meaningful Impact: A clear record of contributing to positive change in their organization, sector, or community. Impact may be operational, strategic, cultural, relational, or systems-level.
- Leadership in Action: Evidence of leading with purpose, creativity, or courage. Nominees may hold formal leadership roles or lead through influence and initiative.
- Commitment to Development: Interest in personal growth, leadership learning, and participating in development experience during the award year.
- Alignment With Forum Foundation Values: A commitment to integrity, collaboration, equity, and strengthening the communities they serve.
Eligibility:
- Our intent is to elevate leaders outside of The Forum network. The award is not open to current Forum members, Spark members, or current participants in the Forum's 2026 Mentoring Program.
- Nominees may work in any sector: private, public, nonprofit, or entrepreneurial.
- There is no age, title, or education requirement; early-career to senior leaders will be considered.
- A letter of recommendation is required. A letter of recommendation upload section will be a part of this application form (500 words maximum).
Recipients Will Receive:
- One year Forum Spark Membership (https://www.foew.com/spark-membership).
- Participation in a leadership development program at Villanova University from September 24 to September 25, 2026.
- Access to peer community and relationship-building opportunities.
- Visibility through the Forum Foundation network and communications.
- Recognition as a Forum Foundation Catalyst Award recipient at The Forum's Annual meeting on June 11, 2026.
More about The Forum Foundation and Catalyst Award: https://www.foew.com/forum-foundation.

Although your progress can be saved if you have a JotForm account or external account connected, we highly recommend writing and saving your answers for this application in a separate document. If you have any issues or need assistance completing this form, please contact info@foew.com.
Today's Date*

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Name*

First NameLast Name
Email*
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Work Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Address*

Street Address

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CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
How did you hear about the Catalyst Award?*

Background and Professional Experience
Please share a personal statement that tells us who you are. What drives and inspires you, both personally and professionally?*

0/500
Please describe your leadership journey and the key experiences that have shaped your development as a leader. Your response can include leadership in a formal authority context, or in an informal authority context.*

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Why are you interested in the Catalyst Award? How would the professional development offered through the award support you in your leadership journey?*

0/500
Please describe how you have contributed to long-term positive change in your organization, sector, and/or community. Your response may reflect operational, strategic, cultural, relational, or systems-oriented contributions. Please provide specific examples*

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As you reflect on your career journey and future aspirations, please describe how your values and actions align with the Forum Foundation’s commitment to integrity, collaboration, equity, and strengthening the communities it serves. In your response, consider how these principles guide your decisions, relationships, and approach to leadership, as well as how you would carry them forward as a Catalyst Award recipient.*

0/600
Please provide any additional information that you feel would be relevant to your application.

0/500

Resume, Letter of Recommendation, and References

Please upload your Resume and Letter of Recommendation below. If any issues, please email info@foew.com.
Resume:*

pdf, doc, docx, and txt are accepted
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Below are guiding questions for your letter of recommendation. You do not need to answer every question as part of your letter (500 words maximum):
- Recommender name, title, company or organization, email, and phone.
- How you know the applicant.
- How has the applicant contributed to your workplace, sector, and/or community?
- How have you seen the applicant take initiative or lead?
- Can you share examples of the applicant embracing challenges or pursuing development experiences that helped them grow?
- How does the applicant show integrity in their work, decision-making, or interactions with others?
- What examples demonstrate the applicant's ability to collaborate effectively with peers, colleagues, or community members?
- Any additional information the recommender would like to provide.
Letter of Recommendation: *

pdf, doc, docx, and txt are accepted
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References

Please add the names and phone numbers of two references. The writer of your recommendation can be listed as a reference.
Name*

First NameLast Name
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Name*

First NameLast Name
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Acknowledgements and Signature
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Type Full Name: *
Signed:

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2026 Forum Catalyst Award Application

Background and Professional Experience

Resume, Letter of Recommendation, and References

References

Acknowledgements and Signature