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smallgiants.orgwp-contentuploads202311Hall-of-Fame-Final-Logo-240x240

The Small Giants Hall of Fame

Know a leader who embodies the Small Giants philosophy? Help us recognize the Founders, CEOs, and Next Gen Leaders who show what it means to be a purpose-driven leader by nominating them for the Small Giants Hall of Fame. 

2025 Nominations are currently closed. 

Current Hall of Famers

Your nomination will be in good company alongside these Small Giants Community leaders who exemplify what it means to follow the Small Giants model of business.

Bo Burlingham circle photo

Bo Burlingham
Small Giants Community
2024 Honorary Inductee

Sabrina White - HOF Finalist-1

Sabrina White
Text-Em-All
2024 Next-Gen Leader Inductee

Tom Walter-1

Tom Walter
Tasty Catering
2024 Founder/CEO Inductee

Leslie Dement

Leslie DeMent
McKinney
2025 Next Gen Leader Inductee

Rob Dube

Rob Dube
imageOne & 10 Disciplines
2025 Founder/CEO Leader Inductee

Nominate Our Next Hall of Fame Member

Ton & Sabrina HOF

Who's Eligible For a Nomination

Do you know a leader who embodies values-based leadership? Someone who inspires you with their commitment to purpose, people, and culture? Help us celebrate their achievements with a nomination to the Small Giants Hall of Fame! We recognize leaders at all levels, with top finalists in each category (Next Gen Leaders and Founder/CEOs) announced in March. Your nomination will stand out if you can share how your leader has impacted the folks around them.

Next Gen Leader Award

The Next Gen Leader Award recognizes those shaping the future of purpose-driven leadership. These individuals are making a difference within their organizations, championing the Small Giants philosophy, and inspiring others to embrace a better way to lead.

Ideal Candidates...

  • Exhibit the traits of a Small Giants leader  
  • Have shown the ability to implement positive, purposeful change in their team or organization 
  • Demonstrate an influence on company best cultural practices 
  • Serve as a role model for purpose-driven leadership based on their actions and advocacy 
  • Are active in the Small Giants Community

Founder/CEO Award

The Founder/CEO Award celebrates the visionary leaders who are at the helm of their organizations, paving the way for a more purpose-driven approach to business. We admire these leaders for their courage in leading differently, investing in the next generation, and being lifelong learners.

Ideal Candidates...

  • Prioritize people and make an impact above all else
  • Have paved the way for others to embody Small Giants philosophies
  • Invest in and support the next generation of leaders
  • Advocate for purpose-driven leadership and spread the word within the greater business world
  • Have been active in the Small Giants Community

 

Recognizing Small Giants Through The Years

From 2016 to 2020, the Small Giants Community partnered with Forbes to recognize America’s Best Small Companies, businesses from across industries that exemplified the Small Giants model of business. 

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Hall of Fame podcast banner

Growing with Purpose Podcast: Meet our Inaugural Hall of Fame Inductees

On this episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast, Paul Spiegelman speaks with the first Small Giants Hall of Fame inductees: Sabrina White and Tom Walter. As the community marks 15 years, the new Hall of Fame honors leaders who live its values. Sabrina shares her growth at Text-Em-All and through the Leadership Academy, while Tom reflects on his shift to values-based leadership at Tasty Catering. Together, they highlight the power of purpose-driven business and lasting community impact.

Know A Leader For Our Hall Of Fame?

Key Dates

  • January 29, 2026: General Submissions Deadline
    Fill out the application below to nominate a Next Gen and Founder/CEO for the Small Giants Hall of Fame. Awards for the 2026 season are open until January 29, 2026. 

  • February–March, 2026: Nomination Reviews
    We review each nomination and those that go on will be invited to interview with a Small Giants Community panel. Additional reference interviews may also take place during this time. 

  • Early April, 2026: Finalists Notified
    The top finalists in each category are notified and invited to attend the Small Giants Summit to receive their award.

  • April 29, 2026: Hall of Fame Winners Announced
    Finalists are celebrated at a Small Giants Community Summit awards ceremony in Detroit, and the top Hall of Fame winner in each category will be announced live.

Still Have Questions?

  • Who can submit a nomination for consideration?
    Nominations can be submitted by anyone! We encourage nominations from colleagues, peers, mentors, and anyone who has been inspired by a leader's commitment to purpose and Small Giants values.
  • Is there a fee to nominate someone for the Small Giants Hall of Fame?
    Nope! It's completely free to nominate a leader for this prestigious recognition. There is also no cost associated with nominating or receiving the award, but we do require finalists to attend the awards during The Summit conference.
  • How do I nominate someone for the Small Giants Hall of Fame?
    Simply complete the online nomination form and tell us why your nominee deserves to be recognized. Be sure to share specific examples of their impact and how they embody the Small Giants philosophy.
  • Can I nominate myself?
    This is a Community-driven award based on nominations of others. Although you can’t nominate yourself (and no disguises either!), you can share the nomination form with a colleague or mentor and ask them to nominate you!
  • How many times can I nominate someone else?
    You can nominate as many deserving leaders as you like, and there's no limit to how many nominations an individual can receive. You can re-nominate a leader every year, regardless if they were named a finalist previously but, once someone receives the Hall of Fame award, they are no longer eligible to be nominated.
  • When does the nomination process for the Small Giants Hall of Fame begin?
    We accept nominations for the Small Giants Hall of Fame throughout most of the year. The deadline to be considered for the upcoming class is generally at the end of January. See general admission dates above for more detail. 
  • Who is considered a Next Gen Leader?
    Next Gen leaders come from different levels of an organization (leadership team, C-suite members, senior or mid-level leaders) with a proven ability to shape the future of their organizations. If a leader is following the Small Giants philosophy and is NOT an owner, founder, or CEO, then they’re considered part of the Next Gen category.
  • How many winners are selected for the Small Giants Hall of Fame?

    We announce a group of finalists in April, and those finalists are invited to attend the Small Giants Community Summit. During the Summit, one winner from each category (Next Gen Leader and Founder/CEO) is inducted into the Hall of Fame.

  • How are winners for the Small Giants Hall of Fame selected?

    A panel of leaders and founders from the Small Giants Community carefully review all nominations. Nominees may be interviewed, and we may also reach out to references provided in the nomination form. Top finalists for each category are announced in April. One winner from each category will ultimately be announced live during the Summit and will be inducted into the Small Giants Hall of Fame.

  • Do I need to attend the Small Giants Community Summit to win the award?
    Yes, finalists must attend the Summit to be eligible for the award. The awards ceremony to recognize all finalists is held during the Summit and the Hall of Fame recipient in each category will be announced live.
  • What are the benefits of being inducted into the Small Giants Hall of Fame?

    Besides the recognition and celebration of your leadership, you'll also receive:

      • A prestigious award to display
      • A featured profile on the Small Giants website
      • Opportunities to connect with other Hall of Famers
      • Increased visibility within the Small Giants Community
  • What happened to the Forbes Small Giants Company award?

    You may remember the Forbes Small Giants Award from 2016-2020, a partnership with Forbes that concluded in 2020. The Small Giants Hall of Fame is different from the Forbes recognition, and operates as a community-driven award that awards individual leaders in their personal work, passion, and drive to live out Small Giants principles and values.

Get Involved with Small Giants

Discover opportunities to support our community through sponsorship or donations, and explore the exciting speakers, activities, and more at our Summit event.

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