About the Award

Named for Holly Taylor Sargent, a dedicated advocate for women’s advancement, this prize is awarded to a Harvard Kennedy School student, faculty member, or staff member who has done the most to advance women or gender equity within the HKS community.

Overview

  • Eligibility: HKS students, faculty, staff, or groups
  • Focus: Advancing women and/or gender equity at HKS
  • Selection: WAPPP committee

Candidates are evaluated based on:

  • How the nominee has advanced women or gender equity at HKS
  • Specific initiatives, programs, or actions taken by the nominee
  • The impact of their contributions on the HKS community 

2026 Recipient

Carina Stone MPP 2026

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  • 2025 - Beatriz Della Costa
  • 2024 - Tram T. Nguyen
  • 2023 - Annie Conderacci
  • 2022 - Hallie Huffaker and Rigzom Wangchuk
  • 2021 - Megan Linquiti
  • 2020 - Janina Matuszeski
  • 2019 - Alexandra Schmitt
  • 2018 - Kessely Hong
  • 2017 - Jaclyn Dean and Morgan McDaniel
  • 2016 - Kristy Luk and Deena Zeplowitz
  • 2015 - Rory Gerberg and MaryRose Mazzola
  • 2014 - Ashley Freeland
  • 2013 - Melissa Sandgren
  • 2012 - Heidi Sieck
  • 2011 - Varina Winder
  • 2010 - Molly Byrne
  • 2009 - Erica Lewis
  • 2008 - Rachel Konforty
  • 2007 - Dianne Munevar
  • 2006 - Dolores Bernardo, Cathy Kidman, and Jacqueline O’Neill
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About Holly Sargent

Holly Taylor Sargent's labors to build the capacity of the Kennedy School for over a decade as senior associate dean for strategy and external relations are remarkable. She has made a lasting mark on the Kennedy School and its ability to improve public service around the world. In particular, she inspired and guided the successful program on women and public policy. To recognize her contributions to the Kennedy School and to the advancement of women at the school and in the world, Joseph S. Nye, Jr. and Molly Nye have established the Holly Taylor Sargent Prize for Women's Advancement.