The Irvin Katz Memorial Award

Irvin W. Katz, one of the founding members of IECA, lived his life in service to others as a mentor to many consultants and as a steward of community volunteerism.

In 2006, his family established The Irvin Katz Memorial Award to honor those members of IECA who make extraordinary voluntary contributions of their time and talents to community organizations that benefit the educational needs, health and well-being of all our children. The Irvin Katz Memorial Award is presented each year at the Fall IECA Conference. The recipient is awarded $1000 to be donated to the identified organization for which the recipient has worked.

Recipient Qualifications

Professional Member or Associate Member with at least 2 years-membership to IECA—regardless of Professional or Associate designation.
Nominations are for individuals, not companies. Note: an exception could be made if a company and all of its consultant employees/partners have contributed significantly to the development or expansion of a project.
Demonstrated significant community service in a specific area or with one specific project:
- Created a project or have been instrumental in its creation
- Revitalize existing project by drawing in new people
- Moving the project forward – expansion of the project
A recipient of the Katz Award cannot be nominated again for a period of time of 5 years.
If nominated for the award, but not a recipient, a person can be nominated again the following year.
Personal volunteer work to a nominee’s child’s school, to their church or synagogue should not be considered unless it is a special project that benefits the community as a whole.
Nominee’s work should focus on underserved populations or communities in crisis.

To nominate yourself or a colleague, contact IECA Foundation Program Director Sarah Swan.

2023 Recipients
Marcy Beatty & Sarah Rickelman

The IECA Foundation is thrilled to announce IECA Professional Members Marcy Beatty and Sarah Rickelman as the 2023 Katz Award recipients for their dedicated service on behalf of underserved students through Guilford A Better Chance.

Guilford A Better Chance offers intelligent and talented young women of color from under-represented communities the opportunity to attend a high quality public high school and a preparatory college-track program.

Learn more about Guilford A Better Chance here!