Followership Awards

The FOLLOWERSHIP AWARD OF DISTINCTION recognizes members of the community for outstanding achievement and contributions to the field. We celebrate our winners and continue to be inspired by their commitment and dedication.

Past Award Winners

  • Portrait of a young man with short black hair, wearing a light gray blazer over a black shirt, standing against a plain light background.

    Muhsin Budiono

    Muhsin was the very first recipient of the Followership Award of Distinction, recognized in 2019 for his trail-blazing work bringing the education and practice of Courageous Followership to his home country of Indonesia.

  • A smiling older man with glasses and a bald head, wearing a blue shirt and dark blazer, indoors with blurred green plants in the background.

    Ira Chaleff

    Author of The Courageous Follower, Intelligent Disobedience, and To Stop A Tyrant

    Ira was recognized in 2023 for a lifetime of pivotal contributions to the field.

  • A middle-aged man with light hair, blue eyes, and a beard, wearing a dark suit, black shirt, and patterned tie, against a black background.

    Mike Linville

    Professor, Division of Leadership and Followership Studies, Devoe School of Business, Technology, and Leadership, Indiana Wesleyan University

    Mike received the award in 2023 for co-authoring the first textbook on Followership, Essentials of Followership, and for establishing the Division of Leadership and Followership Studies and the Center for the Advancement of Followership at Indiana Wesleyan University.

  • A bald man in a dark jacket and shirt sitting indoors with a brick wall and windows in the background.

    Mark Rennaker

    Executive Director, Center for the Advancement of Followership and Chair, Division of Leadership and Followership Studies, Devoe School of Business, Technology, and Leadership, Indiana Wesleyan University

    Mark received the award in 2023 for co-authoring the first textbook on Followership, Essentials of Followership, and for establishing the Division of Leadership and Followership Studies and the Center for the Advancement of Followership at Indiana Wesleyan University.

  • A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, smiling, wearing a yellow traditional Indian kurta with a matching dupatta, standing outdoors with green foliage in the background.

    Wajeeha Ghias

    Lecturer, Department of Leadership and Management Studies, Faculty of Contemporary Studies, National Defence University ( NDU) Islamabad.

    Wajeeha was recognized in 2023 for pioneering the education and practice of Courageous Followership in her home country of Pakistan.

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    Sharna Fabiano

    Author of Lead & Follow: The Dance of Inspired Teamwork, and host of the Lead & Follow Podcast.

    Sharna received her award in 2023 recognized for her contributions of community building in her many roles as conference steering committee member, chair of the ILA Followership member community, Coordinating Council member of Teaching Followers Courage, and podcast host.

  • Portrait of a smiling man with gray hair, wearing a white shirt and a dark blazer, against a gray background.

    Chris Möno

    Author of Natural Followership.

    Chris was recognized in 2024 for his long-time and solitary research, advocacy, and education of Followership in his home country of Sweden.

  • A woman with curly black hair smiling outdoors, wearing a blue blazer and layered necklaces.

    Wendy M. Edmonds

    Interim Chair of the Management, Marketing & Public Administration Department in the College of Business at Bowie State University and author of Intoxicating Followership in the Jonestown Massacre.

    Wendy was recognized in 2024 for her ongoing research and educational work around the concept of toxic followership.

  • Portrait of a man wearing a brown blazer and a checkered shirt, smiling against a gray background.

    Dan Jenkins

    Professor, Leadership & Organizational Studies, University of Southern Maine

    Dan was recognized in 2024 for outstanding research, education, and service to the field.

  • A middle-aged man with gray hair, glasses, and a friendly smile, wearing a black suit, white shirt, and a colorful tie, against a dark background.

    Ron Riggio

    Henry R. Kravis Professor of Leadership & Organizational Psychology, Kravis Leadership Institute at Claremont McKenna College

    Ron was recognized in 2025 for outstanding research contributions to the field.

  • Portrait of a smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing a business suit indoors.

    Melissa Carsten

    Associate Professor of Management, Appalachian State University

    Melissa was recognized in 2025 for outstanding research contributions.

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    Mary Uhl-Bien

    Mary was recognized in 2025 for outstanding research contributions.

  • Portrait of a smiling middle-aged man in a suit and tie, with a blurred background.

    Robert Kelley

    Author of The Power of Followership.

    Robert was recognized in 2025 for a lifetime of pivotal contributions to the field.