Awards

NAAP AWARDS
Each year, NAAP honors individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions, setting new standards in their fields.  NAAP awards celebrate dedication, leadership, and innovation, highlighting the remarkable contributions that make a lasting impact.

Nominations are open until December 31, 2026.
Winners will be announced at the NAAP Conference in Bloomingon, Minnesota on Tuesday, April 13, 2027

AWARD CATEGORIES:

• Activity Professional of the Year
• Life Enrichment Director of the Year
• Memory Care Director of the Year
• Rising Star
• Quality of Excellence

Activity Professional of the Year-

The Activity Professional of the Year Award honors an outstanding individual working in skilled nursing whose passion, creativity, and dedication have profoundly enriched the lives of seniors. This award honors a professional who goes above and beyond to create meaningful experiences, foster engagement, and enhance residents’ well-being through innovative and compassionate programming. Join us as we recognize their exceptional contributions, unwavering commitment, and lasting impact on senior living.

Criteria for the Activity Professional of the Year –

1. Must be an active member of NAAP
2. Contributed and supported to the awareness of the field of activities and their role as the director
3. Be an activity professional for three or more years
4. Include successful activities or achievements the person has accomplished

__________

Life Enrichment Director of the Year-

   The Life Enrichment Director of the Year Award celebrates an exceptional professional working in Assisted Living or Independent Living who demonstrates outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication to enhancing the quality of life for older adults. This prestigious award honors an individual who creates vibrant, person-centered programs that inspire engagement, foster meaningful connections, and promote purpose, wellness, and joy among residents.

Criteria for the Life Enrichment Director of the Year  –

1. Must be an active member of NAAP
2. Contributed and supported to the awareness of the field of engagement and their role as the director
3. Be a Life Enrichment for two or more years.
4. Include successful activities or achievements the person has accomplished.

___________

Memory Care Director of the Year-

The Memory Care Director of the Year Award honors an exceptional professional whose dedication, compassion, and expertise have significantly enhanced the lives of individuals living with dementia and other cognitive impairments. This award celebrates a Memory Care Director whose leadership inspires others, strengthens relationships among residents, families, and staff, and advances the practice of person-centered memory care. Their unwavering commitment, creativity, and advocacy make a lasting impact on the lives of those they serve and exemplify the highest standards of excellence in memory care programming.

Criteria for the Life Enrichment Director of the Year  –

1. Must be an active member of NAAP
2. Contributed and supported to the awareness of the field of memory care and their role as the director
3. Be a memory care professional for two or more years.
4. Include successful activities or achievements the person has accomplished

__________

Rising Star-

This award celebrates the bright future of senior living. It recognizes an outstanding individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and promise to enhance the lives of our residents. Whether through leadership, creativity, or compassionate care, this rising star shapes the future of senior living with passion and commitment.

Criteria for the Rising Star –

1. Must be an active member of NAAP
2. Be an Activity Professional for less than 2 years.

_______

Quality of Excellence-

Excellence is at the core of everything we do in senior living, and tonight, we celebrate an individual who embodies the highest standards of care, service, and innovation. The Quality of Excellence Award honors those who surpass expectations to enhance the well-being of our residents, establish new benchmarks for quality, and inspire others through their dedication. Join us as we acknowledge their exceptional contributions and commitment to making a meaningful difference daily.

Criteria for Quality of Excellence –

1. Advocated for quality of life in senior living.
2. Have a minimum of one year of service with their current organization.
3. May work in any department or role that directly or indirectly impacts resident quality of life and care.

NOMINATIONS OPEN to NAAP members.  Deadline:  December 31, 2026

**************************

Here are the Highlights and Winners from our 2026 NAAP Conference:

A cornerstone of the conference was the celebration of outstanding leaders within our profession. We were honored to recognize the following award recipients:

• Quality of Excellence Award: Mariah Griffin
• Rising Star Award: Kertina Levine
• Activity Professional of the Year: Catherine Sabatini
• Award of Excellence: Brenda Gurung
• Business Affiliate Award: National Certification Council for Activity Professionals

Each recipient represents the passion, innovation, and leadership that continue to elevate the Activity Profession.

Quality of Excellence Award: Mariah Griffin

The National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) proudly recognized Mariah Griffin with the 2026 Quality of Excellence Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to meaningful engagement in memory care.

As a Memory Care Director, Mariah exemplifies the values and mission of the activity profession. Her work consistently elevates the importance of engagement professionals and reinforces their critical role in enhancing the quality of life for older adults. Through her advocacy and leadership, she ensures that meaningful engagement remains at the center of resident care.

Mariah leads one of the most complex memory care operations within Kisco Senior Living—a large standalone neighborhood with a significant number of residents and associates. Managing such a dynamic environment requires extraordinary skill, compassion, and vision. Mariah approaches this responsibility with grace, strategic insight, and a steadfast commitment to resident-centered care.

Respected by colleagues throughout her organization, Mariah is known for embracing innovation, championing change, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. She played a key role in developing and implementing a memory care program grounded in Montessori-based engagement principles, demonstrating how purposeful programming can be successfully integrated on a large scale while honoring the individuality of each resident.

Her leadership extends beyond program development. Mariah understands that meaningful experiences are intentionally created through thoughtful planning, dedicated staff, and a culture that values connection and purpose. She advocates passionately for engagement professionals, maintains high standards for programming, and ensures that residents experience dignity, choice, and fulfillment each day.

Through her influence, residents thrive, team members feel supported and valued, and families gain confidence in the quality of care their loved ones receive. Mariah Griffin represents excellence not only through her accomplishments but through the compassion, integrity, and vision she brings to her work every day.

*****

Rising Star Award: Kertina Levine

The National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) proudly recognizes Kertina Levine as the recipient of the 2026 Rising Star Award. This award honors emerging leaders who demonstrate exceptional dedication, innovation, and potential to shape the future of the activity profession.

Kertina has quickly distinguished herself as a passionate and driven professional whose commitment to enhancing the lives of older adults is evident in everything she does. Through her creativity, enthusiasm, and resident-centered approach, she has made a meaningful impact on those she serves while inspiring colleagues around her.

A natural leader, Kertina consistently seeks opportunities to learn, grow, and elevate the quality of programming within her community. She embraces new ideas, welcomes challenges, and approaches each day with a positive attitude and a genuine desire to create meaningful experiences for residents. Her ability to build relationships, foster engagement, and encourage participation reflects a deep understanding of the importance of purpose, connection, and individual choice.

What sets Kertina apart is her willingness to go above and beyond to ensure residents feel valued, heard, and included. She demonstrates remarkable initiative, professionalism, and compassion, qualities that have earned the respect of residents, families, and fellow team members alike.

As an emerging professional, Kertina represents the next generation of leaders in the activity profession. Her dedication to person-centered care, commitment to professional excellence, and passion for enriching the lives of others make her exceptionally deserving of the NAAP Rising Star Award.

NAAP is honored to celebrate Kertina Levine and looks forward to the continued impact she will have on the profession for years to come.

*****

Activity Professional of the Year: Catherine Sabatini

The National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) is proud to recognize Catherine Sabatini as the recipient of the 2026 Activity Professional of the Year Award. This prestigious honor celebrates an individual who exemplifies excellence in creating meaningful experiences, fostering engagement, and enhancing the quality of life for those they serve.

Catherine’s dedication to person-centered care is evident in every aspect of her work. Through innovative and compassionate programming, she creates opportunities for connection, purpose, and joy while supporting residents’ emotional, social, cognitive, and physical well-being. Her ability to design engaging, meaningful, and inclusive experiences ensures that individuals of all abilities can participate with dignity and confidence.

What truly distinguishes Catherine is her unwavering commitment to the people she serves. She takes the time to build genuine relationships, listens carefully to individual preferences and needs, and thoughtfully develops programs that honor each person’s unique life story. Her creativity and adaptability allow her to continually evolve programming to meet changing needs while maintaining a focus on meaningful engagement and quality of life.

Catherine demonstrates exceptional qualities that define an outstanding activity professional. Her compassion, creativity, strong communication skills, leadership, and advocacy create an environment where residents feel heard, valued, and included. She fosters participation by encouraging personal choice, celebrating individual strengths, and creating experiences that promote a sense of belonging and accomplishment.

Beyond her programming expertise, Catherine serves as a collaborative leader who inspires colleagues through her professionalism, positive attitude, and dedication to excellence. Her innovative approach and commitment to compassionate care have made a lasting impact on residents, families, and team members alike.

Through her passion, vision, and unwavering commitment to enhancing lives through meaningful activity, Catherine Sabatini embodies the highest standards of the activity profession. NAAP is honored to recognize her as the 2026 Activity Professional of the Year and celebrate the extraordinary difference she makes each day.

*****

Award of Excellence: Brenda Gurung

The National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) proudly recognizes Brenda Gurung as the recipient of the 2026 Award of Excellence. This distinguished honor celebrates an individual whose leadership, expertise, and dedication have made a significant and lasting contribution to the lives of older adults, caregivers, and professionals throughout the field of aging services.

Brenda Gurung is a credentialed dementia specialist and the founder of Be Growth Dementia Education. Throughout her career, she has been a passionate advocate for person-centered dementia care, specializing in proactive interventions for behavioral expressions, effective communication strategies, and empowering approaches that support both individuals living with dementia and those who care for them.

With more than 15 years of leadership experience in senior living, Brenda has consistently demonstrated a commitment to improving care practices and enhancing quality of life. Her influence extends beyond the communities she serves. She contributed her expertise as a member of the Forbes Health Advisory Board for two years and has volunteered as a community educator with the Alzheimer’s Association for more than seven years, helping families and professionals better understand dementia and compassionate care approaches.

Within NAAP, Brenda’s impact has been equally significant. As a member of the Education Council, she has helped advance professional development opportunities for activity and life enrichment professionals nationwide. Her vision and dedication were instrumental in developing Memory Care Week, an initiative that has provided valuable education, resources, and inspiration to professionals committed to serving individuals living with dementia.

Brenda is recognized for her ability to translate complex dementia care concepts into practical, meaningful strategies that can be immediately applied in daily practice. Her passion for education, advocacy, and innovation has empowered countless professionals to provide more compassionate, effective, and person-centered support.

Whether teaching, consulting, mentoring, or volunteering, Brenda exemplifies excellence through her unwavering commitment to growth, learning, and improving the lives of others. Her leadership continues to inspire professionals across the country and strengthens the future of dementia care and life enrichment programming.

NAAP is honored to present the 2026 Award of Excellence to Brenda Gurung in recognition of her outstanding contributions, visionary leadership, and enduring commitment to excellence in education, dementia care, and professional advancement.

*****

Business Affiliate Award: National Certification Council for Activity Professionals – Debbie Hommel

The National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) is proud to recognize the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP) as the recipient of the 2026 Business Affiliate Award for its longstanding commitment to advancing the activity profession and promoting excellence in person-centered care.

The relationship between NAAP and NCCAP spans more than four decades and represents one of the most significant partnerships in the history of the activity profession. Established by NAAP in 1986, NCCAP was created as the official certification body for Activity Professionals and continues to serve as the profession’s recognized credentialing organization. NAAP establishes the Professional Standards of Practice for the Activity Profession, while NCCAP provides the certification pathways that validate professional competency and uphold those standards.

Together, NAAP and NCCAP have worked to strengthen the profession through education, advocacy, certification, and professional development. Their partnership was further reinforced by a formal Memorandum of Agreement that recognized NCCAP as the sole certification partner for the national standards established by NAAP.

Over the past 30 years, NCCAP has achieved remarkable milestones that have elevated the profession and improved the quality of life for older adults across the continuum of care. Among its accomplishments:

• Educated, trained, and certified more than 150,000 professionals in person-centered care and quality-of-life programming.
• Established nationally recognized certification pathways for Activity Professionals, Activity Directors, Activity Consultants, engagement specialists, and dementia care professionals.
• Maintained recognition by CMS as meeting the highest standards for activity professional certification since 1986.
• Supported compliance with federal and state requirements while advancing best practices in assessment, care planning, documentation, and quality-of-life programming.
• Expanded educational opportunities through specialized certifications in memory care, dementia care, engagement, and person-centered practices.
• Promoted professional growth and career advancement for thousands of Activity and Life Enrichment Professionals throughout the United States.

NCCAP’s impact extends far beyond certification. For nearly four decades, it has helped establish professional credibility, promote competency, and ensure that meaningful engagement remains a cornerstone of quality care. Through its dedication to education, standards, and lifelong learning, NCCAP has empowered professionals to create environments where older adults can experience purpose, dignity, connection, and well-being.

NAAP is honored to present the 2026 Business Affiliate Award to NCCAP in recognition of its extraordinary contributions to the activity profession and its enduring partnership in advancing person-centered care and quality of life for older adults.