Congratulations to our past Northern Lights contest winners. You have set a high bar for government communications. You push all of us to do better, and we look forward to what future years will bring for each of us.

And congratulations to all who have participated in our contest. Submitting work for peer review signifies your dedication to improving your communications efforts and interest in striving for excellence in your work. Well done!

Northern Lights Contest Awards

 

2025 Awards Recipients

2024 Awards Recipients

2023 Awards Recipients

2022 Awards Recipients

2021 Awards Recipients

2020 Awards Recipients

2019 Awards Recipients

2018 Awards Recipients

2017 Awards Recipients

2016 Awards Recipients

2015 Awards Recipients

2014 Awards Recipients

Special Achievement Awards 

 

Communicator of the Year Award

2025 - Shelly Schafer, City of Woodbury
2024 - Kara Trygestad, City of Northfield
2023 - Michael Schommer, Minnesota Department of Health
2022 - Corey Yunke, City of Roseville
2021 - Greta Bergstrom, City of Minneapolis
2020 - Kristi Saksvig, Ramsey County
2019 - Kari Spreeman, City of Minnetonka
2018 - Jacque Larson, City of St. Louis Park
2017 - Libby Caulum, Minnesota Department of Revenue
2016 - Sergeant John Eastham, Ramsey County Sheriff's Office 
2015 - Scott Pengelly, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
2014 - Kevin Olson, Minnesota National Guard
2013 - Margie Vigoren, City of Plymouth
2012 - Julie Lehr, City of Woodbury
2011 - Tom Conroy, Department of Natural Resources
1988 - Jan Smaby, Host, KTCA "Almanac" public affairs TV program
1987 - Dr. Michael Osterholm, Minnesota Epidemiologist
1986 - Ted Kolderie, senior fellow, U of M Humphrey Institute

New Communications Professional Award

2025 - Ashley Bednar, City of Woodbury
2024 - Callie Gudmonson, City of Burnsville

Scott Pengelly Lifetime Achievement Award

2025 - John Siqveland, University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies
2024 - Janine Hill, City of Bloomington
2023 - Terry Gunderson, Minnesota Department of Human Services
2022 - Yvonne Klinnert, Washington County
2021 - Mark Thompson, Hennepin County Public Safety Assistant Administrator

2020 - Jeff Syme, Metropolitan Council
2019 - Doug Schultz, Minnesota Department of Health
2018 - Cor Wilson, North Suburban Communications Commission
2017 - Helen LaFave, City of Plymouth

MAGC's Lifetime Achievement Award was re-named the Scott Pengelly Lifetime Achievement Award in honor and memory of Scott Pengelly in 2017.

Lifetime Achievement Award

2015 - Bob Gibbons, Metro Transit
2014 - Buddy Ferguson, Minnesota Department of Health
2012 - Tom Hedges, City of Eagan

Outstanding Achievement Award

2021- Jan Malcolm - Minnesota Department of Health