Awards
Meet the 2026 HR Excellence Awards Winners
Congratulations to this year's winners of the HR Excellence Awards, presented by SHRM-Atlanta and Kaiser Permanente.
The awards recognize the breadth of talent and leadership across the profession. Judges and the public selected the 2026 winners for their outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact.
These deserving individuals, organizations, and partners are a reminder of the influence HR leaders can have on employee experience, organizational performance, and the broader community.
Celebrating the Best in Human Resources
The SHRM-Atlanta HR Excellence Awards honor the outstanding achievements, innovation, and leadership of human resources professionals and organizations across the Atlanta area. These awards recognize those who are shaping the future of work through impactful people strategies, forward-thinking programs, and a commitment to excellence in HR.
Selection Process
Judges reviewed anonymized nominations and scored candidates solely on the accomplishments and impact described in the nomination materials.
The top-ranked nominees advanced to the public voting period, where more than 2,800 votes were cast. The judges’ scores and public vote were then combined to determine tonight’s winners.
HR Excellence Awards Gala
Winners were announced at the 2026 HR Excellence Awards Gala, featuring Portia Bruner of FOX 5 Atlanta as emcee. More than 200 leaders recognized the winners, finalists, and metro HR community during the evening celebration. Entertainment was provided by saxophonist Chris King and vocalist Shiloh Sanders.
Questions? Send us an email, contact programs@shrmatlanta.org
Inspire Others
Human resources plays a critical role in organizational performance and employee experience.
The HR Excellence Awards highlight best practices, inspire innovation, and provide a platform to recognize the professionals who are leading change in today’s evolving workplace.
Follow SHRM-Atlanta to not only recognize this year's achievements but also find inspiration for continued innovation and excellence across the HR community.
