ASHRM Rising Star Award
This award celebrates emerging leaders who are making a powerful impact early in their risk management careers.
Eligibility
- Track record should reflect leadership, potential for advancement, and solid commitment to RM profession.
- Accomplishments reflect meaningful & noteworthy contributions to the profession and/or their organization.
- Candidates must be an early-to-mid-stage risk management professional.
- Early-to-mid-stage can mean anywhere from 3-10 years in the profession.
- A current ASHRM member in good standing.
- Self-nominations are allowed.
Criteria
- Accomplishments reflect meaningful contributions to the field of RM.
- Track record of leadership, potential for advancement and commitment to the field.
- Striving for excellence in your career
What Do the Recipients Get?
- Crystal Award.
- One complimentary registration to ASHRM's annual conference.
- Member spotlight on the ASHRM website and on ASHRM social media.
Nominate Now
Congratulations to the 2025 Rising Stars!

Willbert J. Garcia, MBA
Clinical Risk Manager
Baystate Health

Benjamin Lego, MPH, RN, CPHRM, ARM
Senior Director - Risk Management, Accreditation, and Licensure
WellSpan Health

Shannon Sears, BSN-RN, LNHA, a-IP, WOC, CDP
Director of Clinical Services, Compliance and Risk Management
ThriveMore
Past Recipients
2024
S. Linda Habibi, JD, MBA, CPHRM – Health Care Attorney & Risk Manager
Matthew Hill, CPHRM – Risk Manager, Allina Health
Andrew Smokowicz, MHA, CPHRM – Manager, Risk Department at Lancaster General Health/Penn Medicine