Leadership Awards Overview

The SASE Leadership Awards are SASE’s most prestigious level of awards and were established to celebrate technical accomplishments and advancements in the fields of science, engineering and technology. These competitive awards recognize exemplary leadership in the SASE community, including volunteerism.

Organizations are welcome to submit nominations for one or more of the ten Leadership Awards categories. All nominations are judged by an independent panel of industry professionals using a standard evaluation matrix.

Each recipient will be recognized at the SASE National Convention and STEM Career Fair in Atlanta, October 11-14, 2023.

For more information and application details please click here.

Award Categories

Nominees may be eligible for recognition in only one of the categories below. Click the award title for its criteria.

SASE Organization of the Year (Company)
- Organizations must be operating in an engineering or scientific field in the private sector.
- Organizations must demonstrate significant contributions to the scientific and/or engineering professions.
- Organizations must demonstrate their longstanding commitment to cultural diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
- Demonstration of support, advocacy, and services that address the development and advancement of diverse populations with a focus on the AAPI community is key.
SASE Organization of the Year (Government)
- Organizations must be operating in an engineering or scientific field in the public sector (inclusive of academia and the nonprofit sector).
- Organizations must demonstrate significant contributions to the scientific and/or engineering professions.
- Organizations must demonstrate their longstanding commitment to cultural diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
- Demonstration of support, advocacy, and services that address the development and advancement of diverse populations with a focus on the AAPI community is key.
SASE Engineer/Scientist of the Year (Company)
- Nominees must be currently working in an engineering or scientific field in the private sector.
- Nominees must have made significant and measurable contributions to their field.
- Demonstrates consistent dedication and commitment to the growth and advancement of the field of engineering and science.
- Is recognized as a subject matter expert in his/her field and/or industry.
- Nominees must demonstrate an active leadership role within their organization.
- Nominee must demonstrate commitment to their community including how he/she mentors others and/or support aspiring individuals pursuing or developing in the STEM field.
SASE Engineer/Scientist of the Year (Government)
- Nominees must be currently working in an engineering or scientific field in the public sector (inclusive of academia and the nonprofit sector).
- Nominees must have made significant and measurable contributions to their field.
- Demonstrates consistent dedication and commitment to the growth and advancement of the field of engineering and science.
- Recognized as a subject matter expert in his/her field and/or industry.
- Nominees must demonstrate an active leadership role within their organization.
- Nominee must demonstrate commitment to their community including how he/she mentors others and/or support aspiring individuals pursuing or developing in the STEM field.
SASE Information Technologist of the Year
- Nominees must be currently working in the field of information technology.
- Nominees must have made significant and measurable contributions to their field.
- Demonstrates consistent dedication and commitment to the growth and advancement of IT.
- Recognized as a subject matter expert in his/her field and/or industry.
- Nominees must demonstrate an active leadership role within their organization.
- Nominee must demonstrate commitment to their community including how he/she mentors others and/or support aspiring individuals pursuing or developing in the STEM field.
SASE Executive of the Year
- Nominees must be seasoned professionals with 10+ years of professional experience in their field.
- Nominees should hold executive-level management positions.
- Demonstrates consistent dedication and commitment to the growth and advancement of engineering and science by his/her engagement and contributions to SASE and/or the Asian American community.
- Nominees must demonstrate an active leadership role within their organization.
- Nominee must demonstrate commitment to their community including how he/she mentors others and/or support aspiring individuals pursuing or developing in the STEM field.
SASE Emerging Leader of the Year
- Nominees should represent professionals who are within less than 5 years of graduation from their most recent degree.
- Participation in recognized and/or certified leadership programs is a plus.
- Nominees should be highly regarded within his/her organization and community and should demonstrate exemplary leadership attributes.
- Nominees must demonstrate excellence in their field resulting in significant and measurable accomplishments.
- Nominee must be an active SASE professional member or in their AAPI community who exemplifies honor, community service, and leadership through his/her commitment to SASE.
SASE Service Impact Award
- Nominees must have made significant and measurable contributions to their community through volunteerism.
- Nominees exemplify inspirational leadership and initiative through teaching, coaching, organizing, and serving on boards and committees or other leadership roles within the community.
- Demonstration of support, advocacy, and services that meet the needs of diverse populations with a focus on the AAPI community.
SASE Advocate Award
- Nominations are open to individuals of any race, including those who are and are not of Asian American heritage.
- Nominees must demonstrate commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and the advancement of AAPI professionals.
- Nominees must demonstrate how he/she mentors and/or sponsors AAPI professionals.
SASE Distinguished Career Award
- Nominees must be seasoned professionals with 25+ years of professional experience, including those in their retirement.
- Nominees should hold or have held executive-level management positions.
- Nominees have made significant contributions to the growth and advancement of engineering, science, or technology.
- Nominees must demonstrate that they have been/were an active leader in their organization.
- Nominees must demonstrate commitment to their community including how he/she mentors others and/or supports aspiring individuals pursuing or developing in the STEM field.