
Excellence in
Community Engagement Awards
Celebrating state and local government organizations that are setting the standard for inclusive, innovative, and impactful public engagement—turning public input into actionable insights that drive meaningful change.
Explore the remarkable contributions that have made a difference in their communities.






Champion of Community Trust Award
Melanie Morales, Melissa Escamilla, and
Khaila Barrett | City of San Antonio, Texas
The City of San Antonio team has set a new standard for inclusive public engagement, reaching over 145,000 residents through a multimodal approach. Their efforts—spanning over 2,600 public meetings and initiatives designed for all ages—have strengthened community trust by making participation more accessible, transparent, and impactful. By leveraging data-driven strategies, they continue to ensure residents’ voices shape the city’s future.



Champion of Inclusive Engagement Award
Jackie Nolasco | North Central Texas Council of Governments
Jackie Castillo and her team at NCTCOG are setting a new standard for accessibility in public engagement by ensuring all community members can participate, including those without computer access. Through innovative use of PublicInput’s phone line feature and a commitment to robust accessibility practices, Jackie ensures equitable and inclusive participation for all.



Excellence in Data-Driven Engagement Award
Sergio Torres-Peralta | City of Austin, Texas
Sergio Torres-Peralta’s innovative use of data to drive strategic decision-making has transformed public engagement in Austin. By developing an internal dashboard and aggregating survey data across departments, he’s enhanced collaboration and ensured that engagement efforts align with community needs. His work has already engaged nearly 400,000 residents, setting a new standard for data-driven transparency and accountability in city operations.




Leader of Innovation Award
Jamille A. Robbins and Diane Wilson |
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Jamille Robbins and Diane Wilson are pioneering a new era of public engagement at NCDOT by collaborating with PublicInput to consolidate resident input across all Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) into one accessible platform. Their efforts streamline engagement, improve transparency, and set a new benchmark for DOTs nationwide, ensuring that public input drives efficient, inclusive transportation planning.



Breakthrough Performance Award
Brenda Thomas | Fresno Council of Governments
Brenda Thomas’s ingenuity and efficiency have led to nationwide recognition of her public outreach efforts for Fresno COG’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan. With only two weeks to execute, Brenda’s innovative use of PublicInput’s features helped her manage the project solo, earning a prestigious national commendation from the EPA. Her mastery of templates and workflows enabled her to quickly create and publish projects, overcoming resource constraints and maximizing impact with limited resources.



Resourceful Innovator Award
Bonnie Parker | Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
Bonnie Parker’s innovative youth engagement strategies, including focus groups and low-cost outreach methods, have reshaped CAMPO’s approach. By utilizing PublicInput, she streamlined feedback collection and engagement, enhancing efficiency and resource use while ensuring valuable insights from youth are incorporated into long-term planning.
Acknowledging All Nominees & Finalists
Congratulations to all PublicInput Customer Award nominees and finalists from state and local governments who have shown an outstanding commitment to public engagement. Your dedication to creating meaningful connections within your communities sets a new standard for excellence. While we celebrate the winners, we recognize that every nominee has made a tremendous impact, and we appreciate your continued efforts to drive positive change.
Award Categories
Excellence in Data-Driven Engagement
Recognizing leaders who harness the power of data to craft meaningful community stories. This award celebrates those who use insights to guide decision-making, ensuring transparency and impact in public engagement.
Breakthrough Performance Award
Honoring visionaries who drive operational improvements within their teams, fostering seamless communication and collaboration. This award spotlights those who break down barriers and champion efficiency to achieve better engagement outcomes.
Champion of Community Trust
Celebrating those who build authentic, lasting relationships with their communities. This award recognizes practitioners who prioritize equitable engagement and consistently strengthen connections, fostering public trust over time.
Leader of Innovation Award
Recognizing those who collaborate with PublicInput to drive innovation through feedback, testing, and best practices. This award celebrates our community—public engagement’s largest network—turning shared insights into real govtech solutions.
Champion of Inclusive Engagement Award
Honoring initiatives that have made remarkable strides in engaging diverse and underrepresented communities in the public engagement process. This award recognizes those who create equitable pathways for participation, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued in shaping public decision-making.
Resourceful Innovator Award
Celebrating organizations that achieve remarkable impact with limited resources. This award honors those who maximize their manpower and budget to drive meaningful engagement, showcasing how creativity and strategic thinking can lead to powerful outcomes, even with modest means.
Celebrate Community Engagement Excellence –
Join Our Webinar

Leading with Courage: How Public Engagement Professionals Create Lasting Change
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
2:00 PM EST | 11:00 AM PST
Join us on March 26th for a special event celebrating outstanding public engagement practitioners who are transforming the way communities connect, collaborate, and create impact.
This exclusive webinar will feature Allison Bell, author of Herocrats: A Guide for Government Workers Leading Change, who will share insights on leading change in public service.