The Coalition is excited to open nomination for its annual awards. The first is for an outstanding alumni of the John N. Lauer Leadership Training Program (LTP). The second is for outstanding young leaders in the community, to be nominated by members of the Coalition. The honors will be presented at this year’s Gala Dinner held on October 09.

Last year, the LTP Alumni Award was presented to Sarolta Derzsi, who has distinguished herself through her exceptional career in both entrepreneurship and diplomacy. A former LTP intern with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), Sarolta’s outstanding work led to a permanent role with GEN, where she organized global Ministerial meetings and entrepreneurship congresses across cities like Johannesburg and Istanbul. Her dedication and success continued as she joined the Hungarian Diplomatic Academy, ranking among the top 3 out of over 600 applicants. She now serves as a diplomat at the Embassy of Hungary in London.

Ádám Béres, Co-founder of HYPE (Hungarian Young Professional Engagement) Network received the Community Youth Leadership Award in 2024. The award was introduced by Dániel Barabási, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University, who won the award last year. Béres, born and raised in Los Angeles to Hungarian parents, has demonstrated a strong commitment to both his heritage and his academic pursuits. While studying Human Biology and Healthcare Studies at the University of Southern California, Béres founded the “Ambassadors of the Future” foundation to provide scholarships for intellectually gifted but financially disadvantaged students.

John N. Lauer Leadership Training Program (LTP) alumni

LTP Alumni Award: Eligibility & Criteria

Honoring alumni who live up to the ideals of John N Lauer: civic responsibility, leadership, generosity and curiosity.

• Nominees must have participated in the Coalition-run John N. Lauer Leadership Training Program (LTP) or previously named Coalition Internship Program (CIP) or Congressional Internship Program (CIP) and achieved success in the field of public service or civic engagement in Hungary or the region;
• Candidates will be nominated by their peers;
• Nominees will have continued involvement with LTP and the Coalition.

Future Community Leader Award: Eligibility & Criteria

Honoring rising stars in the Hungarian American community as recognized by member organizations of the Coalition.

• Nominees must be between 18-30 years of age and an active member in a Coalition member organization;
• Candidates must be nominated by a HAC member in good standing;
• Nominees should be dedicated, innovative, visionary and held leadership positions.

Applications Open on September 10, 2025
Deadline for Nominations is September 10, 2025 

Coalition members and alumni are requested to send their nominations by filling the form here: