🥂 5:30 PM - Reception & Blue Carpet
Network with progressive leaders, enjoy cocktails, and capture the moment on our Blue Carpet as we celebrate the extraordinary talent powering our democracy.
✨ 6:30 PM - Awards Ceremony
The main event! Join us for an inspiring evening recognizing excellence across progressive politics. Our nine prestigious Marquee Awards will be featured, and 50+ More Community Awardees will be announced at the Awards Event.
🎤 Hosted by:
Reyna Walters-Morgan, Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (Previous Powerful IDEA Award Winner)
Chuck Rocha, Founding Partner at Solidarity Strategies (Previous Powerful IDEA Award Winner)
🏆 2025 Marquee Award Recipients:
✨ Lifetime Achievement: Congressman Steny Hoyer for 42+ years lifting others in progressive politics, especially for his ongoing support of the talent powering our politics.
⭐ Living Legend: Will Robinson, The New Media Firm's Founding Partner, built our modern-day campaign infrastructure.
✊ Lee Saunders, Labor Leader: Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), for fighting for educators, working families, and our democracy.
🗣️ Truth to Power: Maurice Mitchell, National Director of Working Families Party, for his unapologetic movement and thought leadership.
🚀 Next Up: Santiago Mayer, Founder/Executive Director of Voters of Tomorrow, 23-year-old founder mobilizing Gen Z voters.
👑 Hidden Figure: Emmy Ruiz, Former Political Director of the White House, and leader behind major political victories.
🎯Transforming Party: Ben Wikler, Former Chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, for transforming his state party, mentoring other Chairs, and raising the bar for them to do the same.
🎉 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM - Post-Ceremony Celebration
Keep the energy going! Join fellow progressive professionals for continued networking, celebration, and community building.