The 2026 Excellence in Action Awards were held Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Hy-Vee Center at Centennial Park in North Liberty.
Hosted by the Better Together 2030 partners, the event brought together more than 250 community leaders and partners to recognize individuals and initiatives shaping a more inclusive, resilient and visionary Johnson County.
The program honored transformative work aligned with the five pillars of the All In Vision and recognized leadership practices that support collaborative progress across the region.
Champions of the natural environment
The City of Coralville received a BRAVO Award for its Clear Creek Stream Mitigation Bank, an innovative project approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The project restores natural stream function by reestablishing creek sinuosity, strengthening riparian buffers, reconstructing streambanks and improving long-term ecological health.
Through the sale of more than 75,000 stream credits, Coralville created a sustainable model that funds both construction and long-term maintenance.
Bravo Awards
Pillar 1: Authentic and vibrant neighborhoods
Dream City received a BRAVO Award for transforming a 12,000-square-foot South District facility into a community-anchored hub featuring a commercial kitchen, auditorium, media center, classrooms and micro-retail space. The project was supported by a $3 million investment from the City of Iowa City.
Rooted in its beginnings as The Dream Center, the organization continues to expand youth leadership, fatherhood initiatives, family programming and inclusive entrepreneurship.
Pillar 2: A well-connected mobile region
The Iowa City Bike Library was recognized for more than two decades of work advancing accessible, sustainable mobility by repairing and redistributing thousands of donated bicycles each year.
Through 17 hands-on education programs, many serving middle and high school students, the organization empowers riders with skills and confidence. Its $1 million “Bikes Create Community” campaign is poised to expand youth programming, invest in energy efficiency and fully pay off its facility mortgage.
Pillar 3: Inclusive economic ecosystem
Ellie Moore of the Community Foundation of Johnson County received a BRAVO Award for her leadership of the multiorganizational partnership that created and delivered the Underestimated Business Support Grant Program.
Funded through a $500,000 county ARPA investment, the program returned $426,000 directly to underserved local entrepreneurs and built lasting operational infrastructure to support underestimated business owners.
Pillar 4: Reimagined human and social services
The Johnson County Food Access Network was recognized for its coordinated, countywide response to a sudden two-week disruption impacting $1.9 million in food assistance for more than 10,000 residents.
By bringing together food pantries, meal programs and distribution partners, the coalition aligned operations and ensured families retained access to essential nutrition.
Sizzle Awards
Leadership recognition
Sizzle Awards highlighted leadership practices that support regional collaboration.
Ilsa DeWald, Johnson County local food and farm manager, was recognized for representative leadership through her work at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm and efforts to strengthen the regional food system.
The City of Tiffin received the Growth Mindset award for embracing growth with intentionality, collaboration and a strong sense of community identity.
The Local Makes Sense Committee — representing Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty and multiple civic partners — was recognized for regional collaboration on a unified campaign requiring shared messaging, trust and coordinated leadership.
Innovation in education
Kate Melloy Goettel received the Childcare Solutions Award for creating and maintaining a volunteer-driven summer camp spreadsheet that simplifies access to childcare and camp opportunities for Johnson County families. Her work through the University of Iowa College of Law clinic has also led to legal victories for immigrant families.
The Iowa City Community School District’s Center for Innovation received the Inspire Award for Innovation in Education. Located in the renovated Tyler Building, the center supports K-12 experiential learning, career pathways, workforce development and adult CNA programming.
BT2030 Catalyst and Founders Awards
The Certified Welcoming Steering Committee, representing Johnson County, Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty and many other partners, received the Catalyst Award for securing Johnson County’s Certified Welcoming designation through cross-sector coordination involving county and municipal partners.
Angie Jordan received the Founders Award for her leadership in co-founding Better Together 2030 and tri-chairing the All In Visioning Process.
The Community Partner Award was presented to Jillian Miller and the Centennial Park team with the City of North Liberty for leading development of the Hy-Vee Center at Centennial Park, an innovative public-private project that has become a regional economic and community asset.
“These awardees represent what makes Johnson County so special, where we lead with a bias toward action,” said Cady Gerlach, executive director of Better Together 2030 and vice president of programs for Greater Iowa City Inc. “Their efforts inspire all of us, and keep striving for a shared future where every member of our community has the opportunity to thrive.”
The event was sponsored by Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, Appliance Barn and the Community Foundation of Johnson County. Additional operational support for Better Together 2030 came from Greater Iowa City Inc., Think Iowa City, Iowa City Downtown District, South of 6, the Community Foundation of Johnson County, and United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties.
