Accentuate the Positive 2026
Accentuate the Positive brings our community together to recognize the individuals and organizations making a real difference in Northern Nevada. This year we presented 22 awards, including the Lynn Atcheson Lifetime Achievement Award to Mike Wurm of Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, and released the 2026 Community Progress Report.
Thank you to this year's honorees for the work you do every day, and to our sponsors and guests for making the morning possible.
Find yourself in the photos below. Select any photo to see it full size and save a copy to share.
Lynn Atcheson Lifetime Achievement Award
Mike Wurm
Data Champion Award
Nathan Digangi
| Category | Quality of Life Award | Silver Star Award |
|---|---|---|
| Arts & Cultural Vitality | Quality of LifeSierra Arts Foundation | Silver StarMeredith Tanzer |
| Civic & Neighborhood Engagement | Quality of LifeReno Host Lions Club | Silver StarManny Becerra |
| Economic Wellbeing | Quality of LifeEmployNV | Silver StarShari Davis |
| Education & Lifelong Learning | Quality of LifeThe Children's Cabinet | Silver StarDebi Stears |
| Health & Wellness | Quality of LifeFood Bank of Northern Nevada | Silver StarDr. Faith Whittier |
| Land Use, Housing, & Infrastructure | Quality of LifeVolunteers of America Northern California & Northern Nevada | Silver StarKatie Pace |
| Mental & Behavioral Health | Quality of LifeFamily Respite Care of Nevada | Silver StarDr. Sarah Hartzell |
| Natural Environment | Quality of LifeSierra Nevada Journeys | Silver StarDr. Karla Hernandez |
| Poverty & Homelessness | Quality of LifeStreetReach | Silver StarLawrence Dodson |
| Public Safety & Wellbeing | Quality of LifeLife Is Worth It | Silver StarJorge Montano-Figueroa |
Hear from this year's honorees about their work and what it means for our community.
