Globy Awards
What is a Globy? A Globy Award is a way to recognize outstanding individuals making a difference in Greater Philadelphia and beyond. It is an annual award recognizing Philadelphians who make significant contributions to education, journalism, heritage, culture, commerce, and other areas. It’s called a Globy for two reasons. One, it’s from the Global Philadelphia Association, and two, it recognizes the kind of accomplishments that attract people from across the globe to our city.
Recognizing and celebrating our influential citizens builds Philadelphia’s status as a global leader. Since their introduction in 2015, Globy Awards now grace the mantles of leaders in local politics, business, education, arts, nonprofits, heritage, and journalism.
The Annual Globy Awards is a lunch to celebrate, get inspired, and forge new bonds across communities. Proceeds from the event help support the work of the Global Philadelphia Association to raise the international profile of Greater Philadelphia.
Become a Sponsor
Join Global Philadelphia as a sponsor of the 12th annual Globy Awards, the city's premier celebration of the leaders and organizations elevating Philadelphia's identity on the world stage. Following a milestone 2025 ceremony hailed as "the best one yet," the 2026 Globys arrive at a historic moment for our city — and your sponsorship puts your organization in front of the civic leaders and changemakers shaping Philadelphia's global reputation. Held at the historic Ballroom at the Ben, this is a chance for meaningful visibility and a direct investment in the causes and people who make our city stand out internationally. Don't miss your seat at the table as Philadelphia steps into its next chapter.
Our 2026 Distinguished Honorees
William Valerio, Heritage and Preservation Leadership
Since 2010, William R. Valerio, Ph.D., has served as the Patricia Van Burgh Allison Director and CEO of Woodmere, guiding the museum through a transformative sixteen-year period of expanded community engagement, strengthened financial health, increased cultural relevance, and enhanced visibility within the field of American art museums. Under his leadership, Woodmere has advanced its mission to engage audiences with the art and artists of Philadelphia through ambitious exhibitions, programs, collection growth, and publications that amplify the city’s diverse artistic voices.
Sheila Hess, Community Leadership
Sheila Hess is a lifelong South Philadelphian, Temple University graduate, and distinguished civic leader widely recognized as Philadelphia’s chief ambassador and top cheerleader. Driven by a belief that life is about spreading joy, embracing faith, and lifting others, Sheila dedicated her career to public service as Philadelphia’s former City Representative. In this role, she led the city's ceremonial, marketing, and special events arm, promoting Philadelphia’s rich cultural diversity on local, national, and international stages while creating impactful community initiatives.
David Boardman, Educational Leadership
David Boardman is the chief strategy officer of Temple University and dean of its Klein College of Media and Communication. He works closely with President John Fry and Temple leadership on implementation of the university’s strategic plan, and leads the Klein College.
Michael Pearson, Corporate Leadership
Michael K. Pearson (“Mike”) is a widely respected leader with more than 26 years of social C-Suite experience, deep public company, private family and private equity expertise as a front-line P & L entrepreneurial leader. Pearson is the Principal of Michael K. Pearson Consulting. He is a specialist in for-profit and non-profit operations in diversified industries and specializes in business strategy and operations consulting for for-profit and nonprofit C-Suite decision makers. He is also a Partner at Iron Stone Real Estate Partners.
Julie Hancher, Sustainable Development Leadership
Julie Hancher is Executive Director and co-founder of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since 2008, she has grown Green Philly from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, building a model that pairs impactful journalism with in-person experiences that inform, connect and engage people online and in real life.
Sharmain Matlock-Turner, Lifetime Achievement
Sharmain Matlock-Turner has served as CEO of the Urban Affairs Coalition since 1999 and was the first woman to be appointed to the role. Under her leadership, UAC’s efforts focus on four areas: improving life chances for youth and young adults; building wealth in low-income communities; forging strategic partnerships; and strengthening the nonprofit sector through fiscal sponsorship. Throughout its 57-year history, UAC has successfully managed more than $1 billion in public and private funds.
How does someone win a Globy?
GPA has organized a Globy Selection Committee of Philadelphia leaders and professionals who carefully evaluate each year’s nominees and select the recipients. While most winners are Philadelphians, accomplished outsiders with deep local roots are also eligible, like Andrea Mitchell, who began her distinguished journalism career in Philadelphia.
The Globy itself is a significant statuette designed especially for GPA. Each little Globy is quite hefty, representing the heavyweight accomplishments of winners like MSNBC’s Ali Velshi, Drexel University President John Fry, and Dr. Ala Stanford, Founder of The Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium.
Globy Award Selection Committee
- Krista Bard, PIDC
- Jill Fornito, Global Interdependence Center
- Amid Ismail, Temple University
- Jabari Jones, President of West Philadelphia Corridor Collaborative
- Jazelle Jones, City Representative
- Yocasta Lora, AARP
- Rob McNeill, Deloitte
- Dianne Semingson, DLS International
- John Smith, Global Philadelphia Association
- Zabeth Teelucksingh, Global Philadelphia Association
- Omar Woodard, HRS Management
- Harold Yaffe, Global Philadelphia Association
- Svetlana Yazovskikh, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
