Featured September 23, 2024 ‘Who is Government?’ Recognizing America’s unsung heroes with The Washington Post Back to Blog Celebrating public service excellence at the 2025 Service to America Medals® gala Date June 23, 2025 | Updated on June 30, 2025 Authors Abraham Amaya Tags Recognition The Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals® program recognized outstanding career federal employees at a time when the federal workforce faces unprecedented challenges. The Partnership for Public Service recognized the 2025 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals® honorees at its 24th annual awards ceremony on Tuesday, June 17, at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C. The Service to America Medals—known as the Sammies—is the premier awards program for career federal employees, honoring exceptional public servants who keep our nation running and moving forward. Why the Sammies matter Since 2002, the program has recognized more than 800 outstanding federal employees, shining a spotlight on the remarkable accomplishments of the nonpartisan civil service. This year’s Sammies celebration comes at a critical time. Unprecedented cuts to federal agencies, personnel and programs threaten the ability of our government to effectively serve the public, placing the apolitical federal workforce in peril. The achievements of our Sammies honorees highlight precisely the essential services and innovations that stand to be lost. Partnership President and CEO Max Stier. An inside look at the 2025 Service to America Medals gala The 2025 gala was hosted by broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff, who received the Sammies’ Spirit of Service Award in 2023 and also emceed the program in 2002 and 2018. The program welcomed leaders from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, including former Cabinet secretaries and former White House chiefs of staff from both parties. This year, the Partnership recognized 23 individuals and teams, selected from over 350 nominations. These honorees represent nearly 20 different agencies and subcomponents. Their work spans across 10 states, more than 20 cities and two countries, vividly demonstrating the wide-ranging efforts of our nation’s dedicated civil servants. Instead of recognizing winners by category, we celebrated all our honorees across three groupings: One recognized those who solved long-standing challenges. Another featured those who ensured government works better for all of us. And a third showcased those who innovated for a better future. The 2025 Service to America Medals honorees. Meet the 2025 Federal Employee of the Year A prestigious selection committee of academic, entertainment, media and social-sector leaders chose the 2025 Federal Employee of the Year. That honor goes to David Lebryk. As the senior career official at the Treasury Department, Lebryk oversaw some of the most essential functions of government. He delivered direct payments to hundreds of millions of taxpayers, kept his finger on the pulse of government spending, ensured the financing of government operations and more. Lebryk worked in federal service for nearly 40 years and under 11 different Treasury secretaries. In January, he left government over concerns raised by requests to intervene in the payments process and gain access to highly sensitive systems and information. David Lebryk, Federal Employees of the Year medalists. Congratulate the 2025 Service to America Medals honorees Join us in congratulating these inspiring public servants. With any gift, you can sign an e-card to thank all our Sammies honorees. Your support helps us continue to spotlight outstanding civil servants and strengthen our government’s ability to serve the public. To learn more about the Sammies and read the inspiring stories of this year’s honorees, visit servicetoamericamedals.org. Their remarkable accomplishments serve as a stark reminder of the vital services and benefits we stand to lose if our nonpartisan civil service continues to be undermined and politicized. You can watch the 2025 awards ceremony on WETA Metro on July 7, at 8 p.m. EDT, or on WETA PBS on July 12, at 7 p.m. EDT. Photo credit for all photos above: Allison Shelley for the Partnership for Public Service. Abraham Amaya is a digital marketing manager at the Partnership for Public Service, shaping and implementing digital strategies for the organization's various programs and initiatives.
