Today, the NWSL announced nominees from all 16 clubs for the 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award.
The prestigious honor is presented by Nationwide and was introduced in 2024 to honor the legend, two-time NWSL Champion and Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian ESPY Award Lauren Holiday.
The award shines a spotlights on players devotion, commitment, and impact in service to their local communities.
The complete list of nominees and their chosen community partners can be found below:
- Angel City FC – Savy King (Savy King of Hearts)
- Bay FC – Hannah Bebar (Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI)
- Boston Legacy FC – Fauzia Najjemba (Soccer Without Borders Massachusetts)
- Chicago Stars FC – Katie Atkinson (Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital – Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders)
- Denver Summit FC – Carson Pickett (Hand Camp Colorado)
- Gotham FC – Tierna Davidson (Girls Leadership)
- Houston Dash – Kiki Van Zanten (Communities in Schools (CIS) of Houston)
- Kansas City Current – Izzy Rodriguez (EarlystART)
- North Carolina Courage – Cameron Brooks (The Bair Foundation)
- Orlando Pride – Zara Chavoshi (Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopka)
- Portland Thorns FC – Bella Bixby (Friend of Trees)
- Racing Louisville FC – Jordyn Bloomer (Dare to Care)
- San Diego Wave FC – Nya Harrison (Monarch School)
- Seattle Reign FC – Cassie Miller (Nick of Time)
- Utah Royals FC – Aria Nagai (Asian Association of Utah)
- Washington Spirit – Leicy Santos (Leicy Santos Foundation)
The winner will be announced as part of the 2026 NWSL Awards during championship weekend, with Nationwide making a $50,000 to the organization. The panel of judges include Lauren Holiday, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman, and representatives from Nationwide, NWSLPA, and Media Association.
“It is an honor each year to showcase a group of women who are dedicated to impacting the game and the communities which they are connected to,” said Lauren Holiday. “They continue to redefine the standards on athletes using their platforms to give back and see change.”
“Nationwide is thrilled to partner with the NWSL to sponsor this award, and we are committed to elevating players who make meaningful impact in their communities,” said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Nationwide.
“Few things connect people like sports, and the NWSL is honored to support athletes who use their platforms to strengthen communities and rally others around meaningful causes,” said NWSL Chief Commercial Officer Brian Kelly. “The nominees for this year’s Lauren Holiday Impact Award reflect the league at its finest – demonstrating excellence in competition while making a real difference beyond the game.”
