January 8, 2026
Press Launch, Nationwide Mentoring Summit
Mentoring advocates from throughout the nation to be honored on the 2026 Nationwide Mentoring Summit, hosted by MENTOR.
Annually, MENTOR, a nationwide nonprofit that fuels high-quality relationship-centered practices for younger individuals, acknowledges mentoring leaders from across the nation that go above and past to positively impression the lives of younger individuals through the annual Excellence in Mentoring Awards presentation.
This yr’s honorees embrace a bunch of 4 people and entities which have had a profound impression within the mentoring area, immediately and not directly impacting the younger individuals who profit from the presence of a caring mentor.
“MENTOR is proud to have a good time the 2026 Excellence in Mentoring honorees – waymakers who remind us of what’s attainable once we select to point out up for younger individuals with consistency, care, and dedication,” mentioned MENTOR’s CEO, Jermaine Myrie. “Their work and management strengthen the youth mentoring motion by increasing entry to supportive relationships and elevating what high quality mentoring can appear like in communities throughout the nation. At a time when so many younger individuals are navigating uncertainty, these honorees stand as proof that relationships could be a highly effective pressure for belonging, alternative, and hope. We’re impressed by their instance and grateful for the momentum they assist construct for a future the place each younger individual can thrive as a result of somebody believes in them.”
Acclaimed actor Tony Goldwin will function the emcee at the awards presentation ceremony on Thursday, February 5, 2026, through the Nationwide Mentoring Summit in Washington, DC.
This yr’s recipients are:
Lifetime Achievement honoree: Dr. David DuBois, College of Illinois, Chicago
Dr. David DuBois has made a unprecedented and enduing contribution to the mentoring motion for greater than three many years. His groundbreaking analysis has formed the sector’s understanding of how mentoring relationships work and recognized the practices that result in robust, lasting outcomes for younger individuals and volunteers alike. By landmark meta-analyses and semiannual research, Dr. DuBois has offered proof that empowers policymakers, funders, and practitioners to scale mentoring as a confirmed assist for youth. Because the chair of the Nationwide Mentoring Useful resource Heart Analysis Board, he has ensured that the sector stays grounded in rigor whereas by no means dropping sight of the human relationships on the coronary heart of mentoring.
The Echo Award honoree: The Movement Image & Tv Fund
The Movement Image & Tv Fund has demonstrated a visionary dedication to mentoring as a driver of fairness, alternative, and group throughout the movie and tv business. By its signature program, Passing the Torch, MPTF creates significant intergenerational mentoring relationships that honor legacy whereas opening doorways for the subsequent technology, pairing retired business professionals with college students in search of steering and belonging. By aligning with the Components of Efficient Observe for Mentoring and via a partnership with MENTOR California, MPTF ensures its program is grounded in proof, coaching, and sustained assist. Acknowledged nationally and globally for its modern, scalable mannequin, MPTF demonstrates how intentional mentoring can fight ageism, strengthen communities, and form a extra inclusive future – each throughout the leisure area and past.
Public Elevation honoree: Chef Aarón Sánchez, Aarón Sánchez Affect Fund
Aarón Sánchez is dedicated to increasing alternatives and belonging for younger individuals via mentoring. By the Aarón Sánchez Affect Fund, a program of Emeril Lagasse Basis, he creates sustained pathways that uplift Latino youth by pairing culinary training with caring grownup steering, serving to younger individuals flip ardour into viable careers. As an award-winning chef and well known media chief, Sánchez makes use of his platform to champion variety in skilled kitchens and shift tradition so extra individuals can see themselves and thrive in these areas. Grounded by his household and deep respect for cultural heritage, his purpose-driven management conjures up others to spend money on mentoring as a pressure for fairness, alternative, and lasting impression.
Public Service (State & Native) honoree: Mayor Paul TenHaken, Metropolis of Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken has a agency perception that probably the most complicated group challenges are finest addressed via human relationships. As mayor, he has persistently elevated mentoring as a cornerstone of Sioux Falls’ imaginative and prescient for security, alternative, and thriving younger individuals and households – utilizing his platform to name on residents, companies, religion communities, and nonprofits to step ahead as mentors. By the creation of the Sioux 52 Mentoring Initiative, Mayor TenHaken helped unite public, personal, and nonprofit companions round a shared purpose of creating Sioux Falls a real “Metropolis of Mentors,” leading to tons of of latest mentors and dozens of applications working collaboratively. Mayor TenHaken has remained steadfast in championing mentoring as a strong, human-centered resolution, demonstrating how civic management can encourage lasting, community-wide dedication to mentoring.
Concerning the Excellence in Mentoring (EIM) Awards: Since 2013, MENTOR has offered the Excellence in Mentoring Awards on the Nationwide Mentoring Summit. The EIM Awards honor people and organizations which have made super contributions to younger individuals and to the mentoring area. Previous recipients of the awards embrace entrepreneur, educator, and Tremendous Bowl champion Marques Colston, the Milwaukee Bucks, U.S. Consultant Don Bacon (NE), U.S. Senator Cory Booker (NJ), and lots of extra.
Acclaimed actor Tony Goldwin will emcee the Excellence in Mentoring awards presentation ceremony Thursday, February 5, 2026