The Bill Henningsgaard Cradle to Career Champion Award is presented each year to a network member or community changemaker who embodies passion, commitment and persistence. 

This award is named in memory of Bill Henningsgaard, a tireless advocate for youth who led Eastside Pathways in Bellevue, Washington. StriveTogether has established this annual award in recognition of Bill’s work in his community and his many contributions to the cradle-to-career field. This award is for an individual who is a team member at a Cradle to Career Network member organization; serves on a leadership table or board for a network member; or participates in a community advisory group or community action network.

Nomination criteria: 

The Cradle to Career Champion Award recognizes an individual in the Cradle to Career Network (a staff member, leadership table or board member, or community advisory group or action network member) who: 

• Displays exceptional leadership, vision and commitment to ensuring that every child is supported on their path to economic mobility. 
• Demonstrates achievements and contributions in building local cross-sector cradle-to-career partnerships. 
• Commits to a data-driven, collaborative approach to improving outcomes for youth.   
• Actively incorporates those closest to and the most impacted by the challenges the partnership is working to address to build cradle-to-career civic infrastructure. 

Submitting a nomination: 

Your nomination should include specific examples of how the individual demonstrates each of the above criteria in their work. Your nomination must be 500 words or less.

Submit your nomination by completing this form by Friday, June 28. 

In addition to this form, you are welcome to submit up to three (3) letters of support for your nominee from individuals whom they work and/or partner with. Please gather the letters and email them together to Elizabeth Male at malee@strivetogether.org by June 28 if you would like them to be included in consideration. Letters of support are not required for nomination.

The award recipient will be recognized during a special presentation at the 2024 Cradle to Career Network Convening, September 25-27 in Salt Lake City.