PSHRA Announces 2026 Awards of Excellence Winners
News related to:Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA®) · 2 min read
The Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA®) has announced the winners of its 2026 Awards of Excellence, recognizing outstanding achievements in public sector human resources across various categories.
Amy Blake, PSHRA-SCP, the 2026 President of the Association, has been honored with the President's Award for her leadership. Blake, who serves as the director of human resources and risk management for the City of Liberty, Missouri, has dedicated 20 years to her community and the field of public sector human resources. Throughout her tenure, Blake has actively contributed to the advancement of PSHRA through various roles, including chapter president, Central Region Board Member, and Executive Council Member.
The Town of Parker, Colorado, has been awarded the Small Agency Award for its innovative Culture Camp initiative. This program, launched in 2026, aims to connect new employees with the Town's mission, culture, and leadership philosophy. Culture Camp includes interactive learning activities such as a Jeopardy-style game that reinforces organizational knowledge, values, customer service expectations, and departmental functions. The initiative has been designed to provide a comprehensive onboarding experience and foster a strong sense of community among new hires.
The Medium Agency Award went to the City of San Jose, California. The city has recently introduced key initiatives like its AI Working Group and the Workforce of the Future projects. These programs position human resources as a strategic leader in preparing the public sector workforce for artificial intelligence, with a focus on examining how AI may impact job duties, classifications, recruitment, training, performance expectations, labor relations, and service delivery.
The Utah Chapter of PSHRA has been awarded the Chapter Award of Excellence for its significant growth and innovative strategies. Established in 1973, the chapter experienced a 500% increase in membership from 2017 to 2024, reaching 156 members. In 2024, the chapter introduced agency memberships to deepen engagement within larger public sector organizations, securing 11 multi-member agencies, including two new ones this year.
Tamara Dixon, PSHRA-SCP, and Debra Bush, PSHRA-SCP, have been honored with the Honorary Life Membership. Dixon serves as the human resources director and chief diversity officer for the City of Northglenn, Colorado, and is a founding partner of Dwennimmen Leadership Consulting. Bush is a senior human resources specialist with the City of Peoria, Illinois, and has held various leadership positions within PSHRA, including Western Region president, conference programs and speaker's chair, and West Executive Council Representative.
PSHRA CEO Cara Woodson Welch commented, "The individuals and agencies receiving this year's awards are examples of our vision in action. They showcase the best of the public sector HR profession and demonstrate the commitment to making public sector work better."
These awards highlight the dedication and innovation of public sector human resources professionals and agencies, reflecting the continuous improvement and adaptation of HR practices in the public sector.