NextGen Public Service Awards
GovLoop is proud to host the NextGen Public Service Awards for superior public service and achievement each year at the NextGen Government Training Virtual Summit. The awards recognize deserving individuals selected from the public service community for their intelligence, exuberance and dedication to improving and invigorating government.

Please join us in celebrating the public servants selected as this year's award recipients.



2023 NextGen Public Service Award Winners

Manager of the Year

Tamera Wells-Lee
Associate Director, Office of Publishing, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress

Eric Clark
Business Relations Unit Manager, State of Colorado, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation


Innovator of the Year

Wendy Bowerman
Quality Assurance Specialist, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR)

Prakhar Bajpai
Senior Data Scientist, Office of Innovation, City of Austin

Communicator of the Year

Jennifer Parisien
Policy Advisor, Office of Tribal and Native Affairs, U.S. Dept. of Treasury

Justin Barnes
Department Analyst, Calaveras County, CA


Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Champion

Ethan Fechter-Leggett
Research Epidemiologist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Caroline Goon 
Director of External Affairs, HHS, White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI)

Outstanding Colleague

Mekel Ostlund
Prevention Specialist, Utah County Health Department

Marisa Pedro 
Program Management Analyst, U.S. Census Bureau


Advancing Tech Champion

Elizabeth Eli Holmes
Research Scientist, Affiliate faculty, University of Washington, NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle WA, School of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, Seattle WA

Michael Berkholtz
Program Manager, GSA