2025 McKnight’s Women of Distinction nominations open!

McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care opening the nomination process for the seventh annual McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards program on Thursday, Nov. 7.

Since the program began in 2019, 312 women making a difference in the fields of senior living, skilled nursing or home care have been honored across multiple award categories.

“The program has really resonated with those in the industry, and we are humbled to play a part in spreading far and wide news of the accomplishments of the special women serving older adults directly or indirectly through their efforts,” said John O’Connor, vice president and editorial director over the three McKnight’s brands. “Now is the time to nominate the extraordinary people you know to be recognized as McKnight’s Women of Distinction.”

Eligible for recognition in 2025 are women working as direct care providers, managers, executives, corporate executives and owners in independent living, assisted living, memory care and life plan communities, as well as those working in those capacities in skilled nursing facilities and in home care, home health, hospice and palliative care. 

Women who serve the fields indirectly — for instance as association staff members, academicians or thought leaders — also are eligible for recognition. Individuals working for vendor companies serving the industry are not eligible.

The nomination categories:

• Hall of Honor: Candidates should be senior-level professionals in the C-suite or at a level equivalent to vice president or higher and should have made a significant impact on their organization or the industry.
• Veteran VIP: Candidates should have more than 15 years of experience making an impact in long-term care and should be at a level lower than vice president or its equivalent. Whether as a community/facility administrator or executive director; or as a director of nursing, health/wellness or activities; or through some other position, they must have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the senior living and care industry through their accomplishments.
• Rising Star: Candidates must be aged 40 or fewer years or have fewer than 15 years of experience in the profession. Also, they must have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the senior living and care industry. Those achievements/accomplishments may include, for example, managing a project, developing a campaign or contributing to the field via research or thought leadership.
• Spirit Award: This award recognizes inspiring caregiving and service provision efforts. Eligibility is open to women who have demonstrated acts of bravery, courage, perseverance, dedication, determination — or other noble gestures.

Nominators for the Rising Star, Veteran VIP and Hall of Honor categories should be prepared to share detailed qualitative and quantitative information about nominees’ work histories, exceptional achievements and contributions or service, and anything else the judging panel should consider. The more details provided by the entrant, the easier it will be for the judges to evaluate the nomination.

The final deadline for nominations is Jan. 17. Nominations for the Rising Star, Veteran VIP and Hall of Honor categories that are submitted by Jan. 10 will carry an $119 entry fee. Nominations in those categories that are submitted between Jan. 11 and 17 will have a $139 entry fee.

Nominators for the Spirit Award should be prepared to detail specific actions or events that qualify the potential honoree for the recognition. Entries for the Spirit Award will be accepted at no charge.

A Lifetime Achievement Award winner also will be named.

All honorees will be celebrated at an in-person event on May 13 at the JW Marriott Downtown Chicago. Information about the event, which also will include educational sessions, will be posted at mcknightswomenofdistinction.com.

For more information about the awards, or to submit a nomination for them, visit mcknightswomenofdistinction.com.

Questions should be directed to Anna Naumoski, associate director of events for Haymarket Media, the parent company of McKnight’s, at [email protected].

Read about previous award winners here. See lists of previous classes of honorees here.