The Tower Awards for Women Leaders
The 31st Annual Tower Awards for Women Leaders took place on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in the Grand Ballroom at The Galt House Hotel.
The Tower Awards for Women Leaders celebrate women who are at the forefront of their fields and recognize their accomplishments. The event also serves as the largest fundraiser of the year for Presentation Academy’s financial aid program, helping make a Pres education accessible to more students.
We are proud to recognize 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 - CEO, The Brook Hospital KMI Hospital
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 *posthumous
For previous winners, click here.