The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards
@irvineawards.bsky.social
Recognizing leaders whose innovative solutions improve people’s lives, create opportunity, and contribute to a better California.
As 2025 comes to a close, we celebrate the incredible impact of this year’s Leadership Award recipients. These leaders are creating lasting impact for the people of California.
Learn more about our 2025 recipients: irvineawards.org
Learn more about our 2025 recipients: irvineawards.org
December 20, 2025 at 12:54 AM
As 2025 comes to a close, we celebrate the incredible impact of this year’s Leadership Award recipients. These leaders are creating lasting impact for the people of California.
Learn more about our 2025 recipients: irvineawards.org
Learn more about our 2025 recipients: irvineawards.org
Thank you to Maria Loor for illustrating the impact of Nayamin Martinez's work with Central California Environmental Justice Network(CCEJN). Nayamin was awarded a 2025 Leadership Award for her efforts in fighting for justice and resiliency for communities most impacted by pollution and extreme heat.
December 19, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Thank you to Maria Loor for illustrating the impact of Nayamin Martinez's work with Central California Environmental Justice Network(CCEJN). Nayamin was awarded a 2025 Leadership Award for her efforts in fighting for justice and resiliency for communities most impacted by pollution and extreme heat.
In collaboration with Maria Loor, this piece honors Stacy Smith. Stacy was awarded a 2025 Leadership Award for championing representation in entertainment through actionable research and advocacy with @inclusionists.bsky.social
Stacy’s work continues to advance economic opportunity in the industry.
Stacy’s work continues to advance economic opportunity in the industry.
December 17, 2025 at 5:31 PM
In collaboration with Maria Loor, this piece honors Stacy Smith. Stacy was awarded a 2025 Leadership Award for championing representation in entertainment through actionable research and advocacy with @inclusionists.bsky.social
Stacy’s work continues to advance economic opportunity in the industry.
Stacy’s work continues to advance economic opportunity in the industry.
“Healthier mothers means healthier communities”
-Shantay Davies-Balch
In collaboration with Maria Loor, this piece honors Shantay, a 2025 Award recipient, recognized for her leadership in improving maternal and infant health across the Central Valley with BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center.
-Shantay Davies-Balch
In collaboration with Maria Loor, this piece honors Shantay, a 2025 Award recipient, recognized for her leadership in improving maternal and infant health across the Central Valley with BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center.
December 9, 2025 at 8:18 PM
“Healthier mothers means healthier communities”
-Shantay Davies-Balch
In collaboration with Maria Loor, this piece honors Shantay, a 2025 Award recipient, recognized for her leadership in improving maternal and infant health across the Central Valley with BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center.
-Shantay Davies-Balch
In collaboration with Maria Loor, this piece honors Shantay, a 2025 Award recipient, recognized for her leadership in improving maternal and infant health across the Central Valley with BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center.
"Libraries are not just about books, they are about people"
-Skye Patrick
Artist Maria Loor has captured Skye's work with LA County Library.
Under Skye's guidance, the Library provides more than books and programs — it becomes a welcoming space that bridges gaps in education and opportunity.
-Skye Patrick
Artist Maria Loor has captured Skye's work with LA County Library.
Under Skye's guidance, the Library provides more than books and programs — it becomes a welcoming space that bridges gaps in education and opportunity.
November 25, 2025 at 8:11 PM
"Libraries are not just about books, they are about people"
-Skye Patrick
Artist Maria Loor has captured Skye's work with LA County Library.
Under Skye's guidance, the Library provides more than books and programs — it becomes a welcoming space that bridges gaps in education and opportunity.
-Skye Patrick
Artist Maria Loor has captured Skye's work with LA County Library.
Under Skye's guidance, the Library provides more than books and programs — it becomes a welcoming space that bridges gaps in education and opportunity.
“Our latinas are ready to take charge”
– 2025 Award Recipient Helen Torres
Artist Maria Loor captures the momentum of Helen Torres's work with Hispanas Organized for Political Equality @hopelatinas.bsky.social — an organization that has trained over 60,000 leaders since 1989.
#IrvineAwards
– 2025 Award Recipient Helen Torres
Artist Maria Loor captures the momentum of Helen Torres's work with Hispanas Organized for Political Equality @hopelatinas.bsky.social — an organization that has trained over 60,000 leaders since 1989.
#IrvineAwards
November 21, 2025 at 5:03 PM
“Our latinas are ready to take charge”
– 2025 Award Recipient Helen Torres
Artist Maria Loor captures the momentum of Helen Torres's work with Hispanas Organized for Political Equality @hopelatinas.bsky.social — an organization that has trained over 60,000 leaders since 1989.
#IrvineAwards
– 2025 Award Recipient Helen Torres
Artist Maria Loor captures the momentum of Helen Torres's work with Hispanas Organized for Political Equality @hopelatinas.bsky.social — an organization that has trained over 60,000 leaders since 1989.
#IrvineAwards
“Continuing to teach our youth speaks to the resiliency of the Indigenous peoples”
-Cutcha Risling Baldy and Kaitlin Reed
In collaboration with @Maria Loor, this piece honors Cutcha and Kaitlin who are improving community well-being through Indigenous Knowledges and food sovereignty.
-Cutcha Risling Baldy and Kaitlin Reed
In collaboration with @Maria Loor, this piece honors Cutcha and Kaitlin who are improving community well-being through Indigenous Knowledges and food sovereignty.
November 20, 2025 at 5:08 PM
“Continuing to teach our youth speaks to the resiliency of the Indigenous peoples”
-Cutcha Risling Baldy and Kaitlin Reed
In collaboration with @Maria Loor, this piece honors Cutcha and Kaitlin who are improving community well-being through Indigenous Knowledges and food sovereignty.
-Cutcha Risling Baldy and Kaitlin Reed
In collaboration with @Maria Loor, this piece honors Cutcha and Kaitlin who are improving community well-being through Indigenous Knowledges and food sovereignty.
Our 2025 Art Projects are officially underway — Each of our Leadership Award recipients is collaborating with artists to bring their work to life through art: from immersive installations to photography, print, and light displays.
Read more about the projects in the works: bit.ly/46bYiE6
Read more about the projects in the works: bit.ly/46bYiE6
Amplifying Voices through Creativity: 2025 Art Projects - The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards
Above photo: 2024 Art Project for The Source LGBT+ Center The James Irvine Foundation is building on its commitment to creative storytelling by continuing to elevate the voices of its Leadership Award...
bit.ly
September 19, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Our 2025 Art Projects are officially underway — Each of our Leadership Award recipients is collaborating with artists to bring their work to life through art: from immersive installations to photography, print, and light displays.
Read more about the projects in the works: bit.ly/46bYiE6
Read more about the projects in the works: bit.ly/46bYiE6
Representation matters and 2025 #IrvineAwards recipient Stacy L. Smith is making sure Hollywood listens. As founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, she’s holding the entertainment industry accountable for who gets seen, heard, and hired.
Learn more about Stacy's impact: hubs.ly/Q03wN0dX0
Learn more about Stacy's impact: hubs.ly/Q03wN0dX0
August 25, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Representation matters and 2025 #IrvineAwards recipient Stacy L. Smith is making sure Hollywood listens. As founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, she’s holding the entertainment industry accountable for who gets seen, heard, and hired.
Learn more about Stacy's impact: hubs.ly/Q03wN0dX0
Learn more about Stacy's impact: hubs.ly/Q03wN0dX0
In California’s Central Valley, communities are coming together to protect what matters most—clean air, safe water, and healthy futures. #IrvineAwards recipient Nayamin Martinez and the Central California Environmental Justice Network are helping make that possible.
Read more: hubs.ly/Q03wmf810
Read more: hubs.ly/Q03wmf810
August 22, 2025 at 5:43 PM
In California’s Central Valley, communities are coming together to protect what matters most—clean air, safe water, and healthy futures. #IrvineAwards recipient Nayamin Martinez and the Central California Environmental Justice Network are helping make that possible.
Read more: hubs.ly/Q03wmf810
Read more: hubs.ly/Q03wmf810
Food, land, language, and culture are deeply connected and essential for Indigenous wellness. Cutcha Risling Baldy and Kaitlin Reed are reclaiming those connections through Rou Dalagurr: Food Sovereignty Lab & Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute.
Learn more: lnkd.in/gr8KfmB6
Learn more: lnkd.in/gr8KfmB6
August 21, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Food, land, language, and culture are deeply connected and essential for Indigenous wellness. Cutcha Risling Baldy and Kaitlin Reed are reclaiming those connections through Rou Dalagurr: Food Sovereignty Lab & Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute.
Learn more: lnkd.in/gr8KfmB6
Learn more: lnkd.in/gr8KfmB6
In Fresno County, Shantay Davies-Balch of BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center is expanding access to doula care, helping bridge the gap between the growing number of births and the limited availability of doulas.
Learn more about 2025 #IrvineAwards recipient Shantay and her impact: lnkd.in/gr8aX86R
Learn more about 2025 #IrvineAwards recipient Shantay and her impact: lnkd.in/gr8aX86R
August 20, 2025 at 6:54 PM
In Fresno County, Shantay Davies-Balch of BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center is expanding access to doula care, helping bridge the gap between the growing number of births and the limited availability of doulas.
Learn more about 2025 #IrvineAwards recipient Shantay and her impact: lnkd.in/gr8aX86R
Learn more about 2025 #IrvineAwards recipient Shantay and her impact: lnkd.in/gr8aX86R
Latinas make up 20% of California’s population but continue to face the nation’s largest wage gap and remain underrepresented in leadership. Helen Torres and @hopelatinas.bsky.social are changing that through transformative civic and leadership training.
#IrvineAwards
#IrvineAwards
August 19, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Latinas make up 20% of California’s population but continue to face the nation’s largest wage gap and remain underrepresented in leadership. Helen Torres and @hopelatinas.bsky.social are changing that through transformative civic and leadership training.
#IrvineAwards
#IrvineAwards
Libraries are more than books—they’re essential lifelines for education, safety, and opportunity. In LA County, where 10 million residents speak 200+ languages and face high rates of poverty and housing insecurity, Skye Patrick and LA County Library are meeting the moment.
#IrvineAwards
#IrvineAwards
August 18, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Libraries are more than books—they’re essential lifelines for education, safety, and opportunity. In LA County, where 10 million residents speak 200+ languages and face high rates of poverty and housing insecurity, Skye Patrick and LA County Library are meeting the moment.
#IrvineAwards
#IrvineAwards
We’re excited to share an early glimpse of a powerful mural project taking shape.
This project was produced as part of the Foundation’s recognition of Chris Contreras of Brilliant Corners, a 2023 #IrvineAwards recipient.
Artist 🎨: @hedytorresart.bsky.social
In Collaboration with: Tre Borden /Co
This project was produced as part of the Foundation’s recognition of Chris Contreras of Brilliant Corners, a 2023 #IrvineAwards recipient.
Artist 🎨: @hedytorresart.bsky.social
In Collaboration with: Tre Borden /Co
June 25, 2025 at 9:06 PM
We’re excited to share an early glimpse of a powerful mural project taking shape.
This project was produced as part of the Foundation’s recognition of Chris Contreras of Brilliant Corners, a 2023 #IrvineAwards recipient.
Artist 🎨: @hedytorresart.bsky.social
In Collaboration with: Tre Borden /Co
This project was produced as part of the Foundation’s recognition of Chris Contreras of Brilliant Corners, a 2023 #IrvineAwards recipient.
Artist 🎨: @hedytorresart.bsky.social
In Collaboration with: Tre Borden /Co
It’s Teacher Appreciation Week!
We teamed up with Tre Borden /Co to celebrate CA educators with a video full of real stories, heart, and gratitude — honoring #IrvineAward winners Héctor Camacho Jr. & Elizabeth Baham, and all teachers who show up and change lives.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI22...
We teamed up with Tre Borden /Co to celebrate CA educators with a video full of real stories, heart, and gratitude — honoring #IrvineAward winners Héctor Camacho Jr. & Elizabeth Baham, and all teachers who show up and change lives.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI22...
If I Were a Teacher... 2024 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards Art Projects
YouTube video by The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards
www.youtube.com
May 8, 2025 at 5:41 PM
It’s Teacher Appreciation Week!
We teamed up with Tre Borden /Co to celebrate CA educators with a video full of real stories, heart, and gratitude — honoring #IrvineAward winners Héctor Camacho Jr. & Elizabeth Baham, and all teachers who show up and change lives.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI22...
We teamed up with Tre Borden /Co to celebrate CA educators with a video full of real stories, heart, and gratitude — honoring #IrvineAward winners Héctor Camacho Jr. & Elizabeth Baham, and all teachers who show up and change lives.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI22...
Reposted by The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards
Skye Patrick, County Librarian of LA County Library and 2025 #IrvineAwards recipient, has transformed the Library into a hub of inclusion, innovation, and impact, expanding its mission far beyond book lending.
Learn more: youtu.be/byLdgiUdlkk?...
Learn more: youtu.be/byLdgiUdlkk?...
April 24, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Skye Patrick, County Librarian of LA County Library and 2025 #IrvineAwards recipient, has transformed the Library into a hub of inclusion, innovation, and impact, expanding its mission far beyond book lending.
Learn more: youtu.be/byLdgiUdlkk?...
Learn more: youtu.be/byLdgiUdlkk?...
We are deeply saddened by the passing of James Bell, a 2006 Leadership Award recipient. As founder of The Haywood Burns Institute, James was an advocate for fairness and equity in our justice system, working to create pathways of opportunity for youth and communities across the country. +
April 22, 2025 at 9:01 PM
We are deeply saddened by the passing of James Bell, a 2006 Leadership Award recipient. As founder of The Haywood Burns Institute, James was an advocate for fairness and equity in our justice system, working to create pathways of opportunity for youth and communities across the country. +
Only hours left to submit a nomination for the 2026 Leadership Awards! Nominations close today, March 14, at noon.
Your nominee could be selected to receive a $350,000 grant and other support amplifying their work.
Visit: lnkd.in/gPMcJVd
#IrvineAwards
Your nominee could be selected to receive a $350,000 grant and other support amplifying their work.
Visit: lnkd.in/gPMcJVd
#IrvineAwards
March 14, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Only hours left to submit a nomination for the 2026 Leadership Awards! Nominations close today, March 14, at noon.
Your nominee could be selected to receive a $350,000 grant and other support amplifying their work.
Visit: lnkd.in/gPMcJVd
#IrvineAwards
Your nominee could be selected to receive a $350,000 grant and other support amplifying their work.
Visit: lnkd.in/gPMcJVd
#IrvineAwards
Great News! To give you more time to help us celebrate inspiring leaders, we are extending the 2026 Leadership Awards nomination deadline to Friday, March 14 at noon.
All nominees will still be contacted on March 14 to accept their nomination.
Visit: irvineawards.org/nominations/
#IrvineAwards
All nominees will still be contacted on March 14 to accept their nomination.
Visit: irvineawards.org/nominations/
#IrvineAwards
March 12, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Great News! To give you more time to help us celebrate inspiring leaders, we are extending the 2026 Leadership Awards nomination deadline to Friday, March 14 at noon.
All nominees will still be contacted on March 14 to accept their nomination.
Visit: irvineawards.org/nominations/
#IrvineAwards
All nominees will still be contacted on March 14 to accept their nomination.
Visit: irvineawards.org/nominations/
#IrvineAwards
One day left to nominate an inspiring leader who is making a real difference in their community! Don’t miss your chance to honor those who are shaping the future. Nominations close March 12 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
→ irvineawards.org/nominations/
#IrvineAwards
→ irvineawards.org/nominations/
#IrvineAwards
March 11, 2025 at 10:22 PM
One day left to nominate an inspiring leader who is making a real difference in their community! Don’t miss your chance to honor those who are shaping the future. Nominations close March 12 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
→ irvineawards.org/nominations/
#IrvineAwards
→ irvineawards.org/nominations/
#IrvineAwards
Reposted by The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards
Nominations for the 2026 @irvineawards.bsky.social close this Wednesday, and the process is now easier than ever!
#IrvineAwards celebrates leaders who are advancing breakthrough solutions to critical issues facing California.
Learn more and submit your nomination at: irvine.ly/nominate
#IrvineAwards celebrates leaders who are advancing breakthrough solutions to critical issues facing California.
Learn more and submit your nomination at: irvine.ly/nominate
March 10, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Nominations for the 2026 @irvineawards.bsky.social close this Wednesday, and the process is now easier than ever!
#IrvineAwards celebrates leaders who are advancing breakthrough solutions to critical issues facing California.
Learn more and submit your nomination at: irvine.ly/nominate
#IrvineAwards celebrates leaders who are advancing breakthrough solutions to critical issues facing California.
Learn more and submit your nomination at: irvine.ly/nominate
Stacy L. Smith of Annenberg Inclusion Initiative has been recognized with a 2025 Leadership Award for her work in championing representation in entertainment. Thank you for being an inspiration for what we can accomplish in California.
Read more: irvineawards.org/award-recipi...
#IrvineAwards
Read more: irvineawards.org/award-recipi...
#IrvineAwards
March 6, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Stacy L. Smith of Annenberg Inclusion Initiative has been recognized with a 2025 Leadership Award for her work in championing representation in entertainment. Thank you for being an inspiration for what we can accomplish in California.
Read more: irvineawards.org/award-recipi...
#IrvineAwards
Read more: irvineawards.org/award-recipi...
#IrvineAwards
Shantay Davies-Balch of BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center has been recognized with a 2025 Leadership Award for her work in improving Black maternal health. Thank you for being an inspiration for what we can accomplish in California.
Read more: irvineawards.org/award-recipi...
#IrvineAwards
Read more: irvineawards.org/award-recipi...
#IrvineAwards
March 5, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Shantay Davies-Balch of BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center has been recognized with a 2025 Leadership Award for her work in improving Black maternal health. Thank you for being an inspiration for what we can accomplish in California.
Read more: irvineawards.org/award-recipi...
#IrvineAwards
Read more: irvineawards.org/award-recipi...
#IrvineAwards
Nominations for the 2026 Leadership Awards close in less than 2 weeks—March 12! Do you know a leader making a difference in California? Nominating them is a powerful way to recognize their efforts and help expand their impact.
Nominate today: irvineawards.org/nominations/
#IrvineAwards
Nominate today: irvineawards.org/nominations/
#IrvineAwards
February 28, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Nominations for the 2026 Leadership Awards close in less than 2 weeks—March 12! Do you know a leader making a difference in California? Nominating them is a powerful way to recognize their efforts and help expand their impact.
Nominate today: irvineawards.org/nominations/
#IrvineAwards
Nominate today: irvineawards.org/nominations/
#IrvineAwards