Senior Executives Association Annual Awards Program

Honoring Meritorious Federal Executive Service

Nomination Period: TBD

For more than 40 years, the Senior Executives Association (SEA) has been the leading voice for career federal executives, advocating for effective governance, strong leadership, and excellence across the Executive Branch. Each year, SEA recognizes exceptional federal executives whose leadership and professional performance have delivered meaningful agency or department wide impact and clearly exceeded expectations.

Award Categories

Outstanding Senior Executive or Professional of the Year Award (OSEP Award)

Recognizes exceptional leadership and achievement during the previous calendar year that resulted in significant operational improvement, innovation, or mission impact.

Senior Executive or Professional Lifetime Achievement Award (SELA Award)

Recognizes sustained excellence over the course of an executive career. This award is reserved for individuals who are retirement eligible or pending retirement.

Eligibility

Nominees must be current United States federal employees at the SES, SL ST, or equivalent levels. Nominees must also meet the following requirements. Most recent rating of record at Fully Successful or higher. No adverse actions within the past five years. No Presidential Rank Award, Distinguished or Meritorious, within the past five years.

Nomination Requirements

All nominations must be submitted HERE and include the following. Narrative not to exceed 500 words. Certificate citation not to exceed 50 words. Cover letter from the agency head or authorized representative. Certification from an SES, SL ST, or equivalent supervisor in the nominee’s chain of command. Agencies may submit one nominee per award category.

Evaluation Criteria

Outstanding Senior Executive or Professional of the Year Award

Revised or created procedures that significantly improved operations. Led a major project with broad agency impact. Developed an innovative program or initiative.

Senior Executive or Professional Lifetime Achievement Award

Sustained period of exemplary executive service. Leadership of high impact initiatives over an extended period. Recognition across government or industry as a model executive.

Timeline

Opens Spring FY 2026 on this page

Announcement Date TBD. Submission Deadline TBD. Judging Period TBD. Award Announcement TBD.

Award Recognition

Award recipients will receive an embossed certificate signed by the SEA President and Board Chair. Recognition on the SEA website and through federal news networks. A letter of recognition sent to the nominee’s agency head. One complimentary year of SEA membership.

Additional Guidelines

Award recipients may receive only one SEAAA within a five year period. Awards are reserved for performance with agency or department wide impact. Nominations must follow the official SEAAA Nomination Form. Final eligibility is subject to SEA Board review and approval.

Questions

Please contact [email protected].