2026 Sally Kallam Award

In 1988, Leadership Arlington devised an alumni leadership award to be given to an individual who best emulated the ideals of leadership through efforts devoted to Leadership Arlington and the community. The first award was presented to Sally Kallam and thereafter named for her.

Adult Leadership Arlington
Application Form

Youth Leadership Arlington
Application Form

About Sally Kallam

Sally Kallam had the vision which became Leadership Arlington. Sally participated in Leadership Fort Worth and believed Arlington would benefit from such a program. The Chamber of Commerce, UTA and the Junior League were approached for support. A steering committee was formed and the first class was held in 1980. Sally remained as the Executive Director of Leadership Arlington until her relocation from Arlington in 1989.

Mayor Laurie Bianco

Mayor Laurie Bianco

2026 Award Recipient


Mayor Laurie Swink Bianco has built a distinguished career in education, international service and public leadership. After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from Appalachian State University, she spent more than two decades teaching in the United States and abroad, including serving as an education ambassador for Rotary International in Osaka, Japan, and teaching at the American International School in Genoa, Italy.

After moving to Dalworthington Gardens in 2009, Mayor Bianco became deeply involved in her community through the Citizens Public Safety Academy and helped establish a nonprofit supporting the city’s Department of Public Safety. Encouraged by the former mayor, she entered politics despite having no prior government experience and was elected mayor in 2018.

Her accomplishments include being named Teacher of the Year at LJ Bell Elementary and receiving the Garden’s Cross Award. She remains active in community service through organizations including the Salvation Army Advisory Council, Tarrant County Homeless Coalition and Tarrant County Mayor’s Council, where she serves as vice-chair and will become president next year. Grounded in her Christian faith, Mayor Bianco is committed to strengthening Dalworthington Gardens while preserving its close-knit community and demonstrating the positive impact public service can have.

Past Award Recipients​

  • 2025 Kenyon Godwin, Active Family Wellness Center, Past Chairman Arlington Chamber
  • 2024 Valerie Landry, Member of the Inaugural 40 under 40 Class of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce
  • 2023 Nancy Blinn, Dental Health Arlington
  • 2022  Judy Rupay, Business Owner
  • 2021  Victoria Farrar-Myers, Deputy Mayor Pro Tempore & Arlington City Council Place 7 (at-large)
  • 2020  Victoria Farrar-Myers, Deputy Mayor Pro Tempore & Arlington City Council Place 7 (at-large)
  • 2019  Julie Reinhardt, Non-Profit, Junior League of Arlington M.A.Y. Program
  • 2018  Paulette Tutor, Non-Profit Management and Operations
  • 2017  Julie & Tony Pompa, General Assembly
  • 2016  Will Johnson, Police Chief, Arlington Police Department
  • 2015  Mary Hibbs, Community Outreach Director, Camp Thurman
  • 2014  Patti Diou, Executive Director, Friends of the Levitt Pavilion
  • 2013  Scott Reading, Relationship Banking Officer, Frost Bank
  • 2012  Jimmy Bennett, Place 7, Arlington City Councilman
  • 2011  Robert Cluck, M.D., Mayor, City of Arlington
  • 2010  James D. Spaniolo, President, The University of Texas at Arlington
  • 2009  Sheri Capehart, District 2, Arlington City Councilwomen
  • 2008  Theron Bowman, PhD Chief of Police, City of Arlington
  • 2007  Sally Hopper, Dental Health Arlington
  • 2006  Lana Wolff, District 5, Arlington City Councilwoman
  • 2005  Kimberly Phillips, Leadership Arlington Class of 2000
  • 2004  Joe Bruner, District 1, Arlington City Councilman 2000-2006
  • 2003  Gary Hardee, Publisher, Arlington Star-Telegram
  • 2002  Patty Decker, Medical Clinician
  • 2001  John Ramon, Small Business Consultant
  • 2000  Craig Hubble, Attorney
  • 1999  Ricky C. Childers, City Manager, Longview
  • 1998  Tom Vandergriff, Judge, Tarrant County
  • 1997  Richard Greene, Former Mayor, City of Arlington
  • 1996  Marietta L. (Lee) Peas, Community Volunteer
  • 1995  Elwood J. Preiss, Executive Director of Admin Services, UT Arlington
  • 1994  Lisann Peters, Community Volunteer
  • 1993  Jim Ash, Leadership Arlington
  • 1992  Don Wheaton, Steering Committee
  • 1991  Richard “Rick” Berry, Superintendent, AISD 1990-1992
  • 1990  Paul Geisel, PhD, Speaker
  • 1989  R.G. “Wick” Alexander, DDS, MSD, Chairman Leadership Arlington 1980-1995
  • 1988  Sally Kallam, Executive Director, Leadership Arlington 1980-1988