Outstanding Women in Texas Government

The State Agency Council, formerly the State Agency Liaison Group, was established to provide support to the Governor’s Commission for Women and offers professional development training to its members.

The State Agency Council to the Governor's Commission for Women is proud to announce the Outstanding Women in Texas Government Award recipients for 2026. This biennial award honors women in state service who are helping to shape the future of Texas by contributing their notable talents and skills. Candidates were nominated by their respective state agency leadership in four categories, and an independent committee selected the women whose contributions best exemplified the categories of Leadership, Professional Development, Community Involvement, and Rising Star. View a list of past recipients. View a list of past recipients.

The Outstanding Women in Texas Government Award recipients for 2026 are:

Outstanding Leadership: Shunne Powell, Chief Organizational Excellence Officer, Teacher Retirement System of Texas

Outstanding Professional Development: Meredith Garcia, Director of Professional Development, Comptroller of Public Accounts

Outstanding Community Involvement: April Hernandez, Deputy Chief Service Office, Texas Municipal Retirement System

Rising Star: Lorna Camacho, Spanish Language Writer/Editor and Spokesperson, Texas Department of Insurance