Recognition
Honoring Excellence in ERG Leadership
The National ERG Council™ recognizes the extraordinary individuals and organizations who are advancing the impact of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) across industries. ERG leaders play a critical role in strengthening workplace communities, developing future leaders, and creating environments where employees feel connected, supported, and empowered.
Through its recognition programs, the Council celebrates innovative ERG initiatives, visionary leadership, and organizations that are leveraging ERGs as strategic drivers of culture, engagement, and professional development.
These honors highlight leaders and programs that are setting new standards for excellence and inspiring others to elevate their ERG strategies.
National ERG Leadership Excellence Award™
Overview
The National ERG Leadership Excellence Award™ recognizes an outstanding ERG leader who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to strengthening their organization’s ERG community and advancing meaningful workplace engagement.
This award honors individuals who go beyond organizing events and instead create strategic initiatives that support employee development, strengthen collaboration, and elevate the role of ERGs within their organization.
Recipients of this award are recognized as visionary leaders who bring creativity, dedication, and strategic thinking to their ERG leadership.
Selection Criteria
Nominees are evaluated based on:
- Demonstrated leadership within an ERG
- Impact of programs or initiatives developed through the ERG
- Contributions to strengthening employee engagement and community • Ability to collaborate across departments and leadership levels
- Commitment to developing future ERG leaders
Who Should Be Nominated
This award is intended for:
- ERG Chairs or Co-Chairs
- ERG Program Leaders
- ERG Committee Leaders
- Employee leaders who have made significant contributions to ERG growth and success
The recipient of this award represents the highest standards of ERG leadership and serves as a role model for ERG leaders nationwide.
National ERG Impact Award™
Overview
The National ERG Impact Award™ recognizes an Employee Resource Group that has made a meaningful and measurable impact within its organization or community.
This award celebrates ERGs that have successfully implemented innovative initiatives that strengthen workplace culture, support employee development, or contribute to broader organizational goals.
Winning ERGs demonstrate how employee-led communities can drive collaboration, cultural awareness, leadership development, and community engagement.
Selection Criteria
Submissions are evaluated based on:
- Innovation in ERG programming or initiatives
- Measurable impact on employee engagement or organizational culture • Alignment with organizational values and priorities
- Collaboration with leadership, departments, or external partners
- Sustainability and long-term impact of ERG initiatives
Eligible Nominees
Organizations may nominate:
- Individual ERGs
- Cross-ERG collaborative initiatives
- ERG programs that have produced measurable organizational impact
Recipients of the National ERG Impact Award represent the power of ERGs to influence positive change within organizations and communities.
National ERG Champion Organization Award™
Overview
The National ERG Champion Organization Award™ recognizes an organization that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to developing, supporting, and advancing Employee Resource Groups across its workforce.
This award honors organizations that have created a strong ERG ecosystem through executive sponsorship, effective governance, leadership development, organizational resources, cross-ERG collaboration, and meaningful opportunities for employees to participate and lead.
Recipients demonstrate that successful ERGs are not isolated programs but valuable organizational communities that can strengthen employee engagement, develop leaders, encourage collaboration, and contribute to organizational success.
Selection Criteria
Organizations are evaluated based on:
- Strength of the organization’s overall ERG strategy
- Executive sponsorship and senior leadership engagement
- Resources and organizational support provided to ERGs
- ERG governance and leadership structures
- Investment in ERG leader development
- Collaboration among multiple ERGs
- Integration of ERGs with organizational priorities
- Measurement and communication of ERG outcomes and impact
- Sustainability and continued development of the organization’s ERG ecosystem
Eligible Organizations
This award is open to:
- Corporations
- Nonprofit organizations
- Government agencies
- Educational institutions
- Healthcare organizations
- Professional and membership organizations
- Other employers with established Employee Resource Groups
Recipients of the National ERG Champion Organization Award™ represent organizations that are setting a national standard for how employers can support, develop, and strengthen Employee Resource Groups as an important part of their workforce and leadership strategy.
The recipient of this award represents the highest standards of ERG leadership and serves as a role model for ERG leaders nationwide.
ERG 100™
Overview
The ERG 100™ recognizes the Top 100 Employee Resource Groups in America that demonstrate excellence in leadership, employee engagement, programming, organizational impact, and innovation.
This national recognition celebrates ERGs that have established strong programs and initiatives that support employees, develop leaders, strengthen workplace communities, and contribute to broader organizational priorities.
Organizations selected for the ERG 100™ represent examples of ERG excellence and demonstrate how employee-led groups can create meaningful and measurable value for employees, organizations, and communities.
Selection Criteria
Submissions are evaluated based on:
- Strength and effectiveness of ERG leadership and governance
- Quality and innovation of ERG programs and initiatives
- Demonstrated impact on employee engagement and development
- Alignment with organizational goals and priorities
- Collaboration with organizational leadership and other ERGs
- Measurable outcomes and demonstrated organizational impact
- Sustainability and long-term growth of the ERG
Eligible Organizations
Organizations may nominate:
- Individual Employee Resource Groups
- Business Resource Groups
- Affinity Groups
- Employee Networks
- Other established employee-led groups operating within an organization
Organizations may submit more than one ERG for consideration, with each ERG evaluated independently based on its leadership, programs, accomplishments, and impact.
ERG 100™ honorees represent 100 of America’s leading Employee Resource Groups and serve as national examples of excellence in ERG leadership, programming, employee engagement, and organizational impact.
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