Sheri Stuart
Sheri Stuart is recognized as the 2025 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient for her tireless leadership, ceaseless innovation, and commitment to building strong local economies across Oregon.
Celebrating Outstanding Leaders
The Mary Means Leadership Awards recognize exceptional local leaders for their extraordinary vision, determination, and commitment to community-led transformation.
2025 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient Josh Rogers speaks with Dan Forrester of Cadence Bank. © And So We Go Productions
About the Mary Means Leadership Award
Award recipients are celebrated for their exemplary leadership and their crucial role in shaping the Main Street Movement. Introduced in 2019 and announced annually at the Main Street Now Conference, the Mary Means Leadership Awards also recognize the outstanding and steadfast leadership of Main Street America’s founder, Mary Means.
Who is Eligible: Current employees, board members, and volunteers of a Local or Coordinating Program with an active Main Street America membership.
How to Nominate: Our call for 2026 Mary Means Leadership Awards nominations is closed. We accepted nominations from October 27-December 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT.
What are the Criteria: Nominees will be evaluated on the ways they demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities, such as building local capacity, centering equity, bringing together diverse stakeholders through a shared vision, and exhibiting innovation and ingenuity.
How Recipients are Recognized: The 2026 Mary Means Leadership Awards recipients will receive complimentary Community Transformation Workshop and 2026 Main Street Now Conference registration, media relations support, a special feature on the Main Street America website, and public recognition at the 2026 Main Street Now Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Questions: Email samraen@mainstreet.org.
The Latest Mary Means Leadership Awards News
Announcement
Meet the recipients
Meet the 2025 Mary Means Leadership Awards Recipients
Main Street America is proud to recognize Sheri Stuart, Claudia Loya, and Josh Rogers as the recipients of the 2025 Mary Means Leadership Awards.
From left: Meagan Rogers (on behalf of Josh Rogers), Claudia Loya, Mary Means, and Sheri Stuart. © BeauMonde Originals/Main Street America
Recipients
Claudia Loya
Claudia Loya is recognized as the 2025 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient for her transformative work revitalizing downtown Alamogordo, New Mexico.
Josh Rogers
Josh Rogers is recognized as the 2025 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient for his visionary leadership as President & CEO at NewTown Macon, and his pioneering work in community-driven revitalization.
Mileyka Burgos-Flores
Mileyka Burgos-Flores is recognized as the 2024 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient for her unshakable vision and persevering spirit in pursuing equity, championing community preservation, and fostering collaborative action in Miami’s historic Little Santo Domino neighborhood.
John Bry
John was recognized as the 2023 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient for his ability to develop innovative ideas, build organizational capacity of local programs and leaders, and lead through understanding as program coordinator.
Todd Wolford
Todd was recognized as a 2023 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient for his creative energy, strategic mindset, and coalition-building approach as a Main Street director.
Patrice Frey
Patrice was recognized as a 2022 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient for her dedicated service to the Main Street Movement, exemplary collaborative leadership, and entrepreneurial mindset.
Breanne Durham
Breanne was recognized as the 2021 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient for her collaborative and visionary approach, which empowers Washington State Main Street leaders to strengthen local economies, preserve historic assets, and work together to revitalize their communities.
Sharon Jablonski
Sharon was recognized as the 2020 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient for her innovative approach to downtown revitalization, which transformed Morganton into a thriving entertainment district, with a lively arts scene and strong local economy.