2026 UN Day Global Leadership Awards
About this Event
2026 UN DAY GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Global goals. North Texas action.
Join the United Nations Association of the USA, Dallas Chapter for the 2026 UN Day Global Leadership Awards, celebrating outstanding North Texas leaders and organizations advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through meaningful local action.
On Saturday, October 24, 2026, we’ll gather at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in Dallas to recognize changemakers whose leadership is helping build stronger, more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient communities.
This year’s program will feature Farah Eck, Managing Director, UNA-USA, as our keynote speaker.
The Global Leadership Awards bring together community leaders, advocates, students, professionals, UNA-USA members, and supporters for a celebration of service, leadership, and the extraordinary work happening across North Texas.
EVENT DETAILS
Saturday, October 24, 2026
10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Doors open at 9:30 AM | Brunch served
O’Hara Hall, 7th Floor
J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX 75201
NEW THIS YEAR: BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Extend your UN Day experience with two special breakout sessions included with registration. No separate sign-up is required.
9:00 AM | Internship & Career Opportunities with the UN
Designed for students and young professionals. Doors open at 9:00 AM. Learn about internships, the Young Professionals Programme, and career paths with the United Nations.
1:00 PM | Doing Business with the United Nations
Designed for nonprofit leaders. Learn how UN procurement and partnerships work, including ways organizations may supply goods or services, build partnerships, and explore opportunities to engage with the UN.
Both breakout sessions will be held in O’Hara Hall.
CELEBRATING LOCAL ACTION FOR GLOBAL IMPACT
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals address some of the most important challenges facing communities around the world, including poverty, hunger, health, education, equality, climate action, strong institutions, and global partnerships.
Here in North Texas, individuals and organizations are bringing those goals to life every day.
The UN Day Global Leadership Awards recognize leaders whose service, innovation, and commitment are creating meaningful change in our communities. Since the awards began, UNA Dallas has honored more than 80 North Texans and organizations whose work demonstrates what global progress can look like at the local level.
Past honorees include Ms. Opal Lee, AT&T, Dr. Michael J. Sorrell, Parkland Health & Hospital System, Kimberly-Clark, Ericsson, Trammell S. Crow, Miguel Solis, and Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, among many others.
2026 HONOREES
Eleanor Roosevelt Lifetime Achievement Award
Shabnam Modgil
Global Leadership Awards
• SDG 1: No Poverty — City House
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger — Taste Project
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being — Dr. Andy Keller, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
• SDG 5: Gender Equality — Jan Langbein, Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy — Brad Stutzman, O3 Energy
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities — Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew, Soulstice Consultancy
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities — Dwell with Dignity
• SDG 15: Life on Land — River Legacy Foundation
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions — Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals — Jennifer Sampson, The Stephens Greth Foundation
Youth Honorees
• SDG 5: Gender Equality — Mehek Saini
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions — Meghana Gadde
Meet the 2026 honorees:
https://dallas-una.org/news-un-day-2026-honorees-announced
ABOUT OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Farah Eck
Managing Director
United Nations Association of the USA
Farah Eck serves as Managing Director of the United Nations Association of the USA, where she oversees national programs, chapter support, communications strategy, and member engagement.
Her connection to UNA-USA began long before she joined its national leadership. Farah spent more than seven years as a UNA-USA volunteer, serving as President of the UNA Chicago Chapter, a board member, and a National Council Member representing the Great Lakes Region.
Her career has spanned fundraising, nonprofit capacity building, communications, stakeholder engagement, and international leadership. Before joining the United Nations Foundation, Farah led the global Membership Division for Lions Clubs International and previously served as Alumni and Volunteer Relations Director for the Young African Leadership Initiative Regional Leadership Center East Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.
A global citizen who has lived and worked in 32 countries, Farah brings both a local and international perspective to the work of building stronger communities and engaging people in global affairs.
Her journey from UNA-USA volunteer to national leader reflects something at the heart of UN Day itself: meaningful global change often begins with people choosing to act right where they are.
ABOUT UNA-USA DALLAS
The United Nations Association of the USA, Dallas Chapter educates, inspires, and mobilizes North Texans to support the life-saving work of the United Nations and advance the Sustainable Development Goals.
As part of UNA-USA’s nationwide grassroots network, the Dallas Chapter connects global issues with local action through education, advocacy, community programs, youth engagement, and recognition of North Texans working to make a difference.
The world needs the UN. The UN needs US.
Reserve your seat and join us October 24 as we celebrate the people showing what global leadership looks like right here in North Texas.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 1500.00
