The Tower Awards for Women Leaders

The Presentation Academy Tower Awards Selection Committee has concluded the nomination process for the 31st Annual Tower Awards. We are grateful to all who submitted nominations and look forward to celebrating this year’s honorees. Please check back for updates as award recipients are selected and as ticket sales, Tower Treasures, and sponsorship opportunities become available.

The 31st annual Tower Awards for Women Leaders will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in the Grand Ballroom at The Galt House Hotel.

The Tower Awards for Women Leaders celebrates women who are at the forefront of their fields and recognizes them for their accomplishments. It is also the largest fundraiser of the year for Presentation Academy’s financial aid program.

We are excited to announce the 2026 Tower Award recipients in the following categories:

Arts & Communication: Shannon Cogan - WAVE News Anchor

Business Technology & Trade: Adria Johnson - President and CEO, Metro United Way

Education: Cindy Dahlem Baumert - Retired, Education, and Policy Advocate

Government Justice & Law: Mary Ellen Wiederwohl - President & CEO, Accelerator for America

Science & Healthcare: Melisa Adkins, EJD, MBA, BSN, RN - Chief Executive Officer, A2 Healthcare Partners

Service & Advocacy: Elliott Grantz ‘15 - School Meals & Partnerships Manager, United Nations WFP

Lifetime Achievement Award: Karen Cassidy - Founder & CEO, Hildegard House

Mother Catherine Spalding Visionary Award: Dr. Stephanie Mary Latkovski ‘71* - Educator and Linguist

For previous winners, click here.

*Posthumous

Thank You to Our 2025 Tower Awards Sponsors

Presentation Academy is deeply grateful for the incredible outpouring of support from our community of sponsors for the 30th Annual Tower Awards for Women Leaders.

Your generosity made this milestone event possible and continues to empower the next generation of young women leaders at Louisville’s original Catholic high school.

The next time you’re looking for the right person—or the right team—for the job, please consider supporting the businesses and organizations that so graciously support Presentation Academy. And when you do, be sure to tell them “Thank you from Pres!”