Every November, the National Womens Soccer League (NWSL) honors one player with the Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide. The award began in 2024 and acknowledges the player’s exceptional service and commitment to giving back to their local communities.
This year, there are 16 nominees with every NWSL team having a nominee. The Lauren Holiday Impact Award winner will be announced during NWSL Championship Weekend. Nationwide will also donate $50,000 to a charitable organization of the winner’s choosing.
Savy King
Savy King is a defender in her second season with Angel City FC. She is a southern California native who was drafted by Bay FC in 2024 and traded to her hometown team in February 2025. Last May, King collapsed on the field during a match due to a cardiac event. Luckily, quick action by the team’s medical staff saved her life through CPR. That moment inspired her to create Savy King of Hearts, her community partner for this award. The organization works to raise awareness about heart health and make CPR education accessible.
Hannah Bebar
Hannah Bebar is a second-year midfielder for Bay FC. After three All-American selections during her time at Harvard and Duke, Bebar signed with Bay FC to begin her professional career. She chose to support the Bay Area Women’s Sport Initiative (BAWSI), a nonprofit that is dedicated to leveling the playing field and increasing access to sports for girls living in underserved communities. Bebar currently sits on BAWSI’s Advisory Council where she helps shape the impact and direction of the organization.
Fauiza Najjemba
Fauiza Najjemba is a forward for Boston Legacy FC. While 2026 is her first year in the NWSL, she previously played three professional seasons in Russia. She is passionate about creating safe spaces for girls to thrive and empowering them to become their best selves. Her community partner is Soccer Without Borders Boston. Soccer Without Borders is a nonprofit devoted to “creating spaces where underserved youth can learn, grow, and find belonging through the power of soccer, education, and community.”
Katie Atkinson
Katie Atkinson is a veteran goalkeeper for the Chicago Stars. She spent the majority of her professional career with Racing Louisville, but signed a 3-year contract with Chicago in December. Her dedication to supporting kids and families in need began during her time in Louisville, and she is now partnering with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. It is Chicago’s local Children’s Miracle Network hospital that is committed to providing comprehensive pediatric care.
Carson Pickett
Carson Pickett is a veteran defender for Denver Summit FC. Pickett is a 2024 NWSL Champion and was the first player with a limb difference to play for the USWNT. Her experience growing up without part of her left arm inspired her commitment to uplifting kids with limb differences. With the help of Hand Camp Colorado, Pickett can provide resources and help create welcoming spaces where children with limb differences can feel confident.
Kiki Van Zanten
Kiki Van Zanten is a third-year midfielder for the Houston Dash. She was drafted by the Dash in 2024 after a storied collegiate career at Notre Dame. Van Zanten also plays for the Jamican womens national team. Her community partner is the Communities in Schools (CIS) of Houston, a charitable organization that works to create equal access to educational resources in the greater Houston area. She is passionate about supporting local students through mentorship and strong support systems.
Izzy Rodriguez
Izzy Rodriguez is a defender in her fifth season with the Kansas City Current. The Current drafted her in 2022 and she currently holds the club record for most games played in a regular season. Rodriguez is devoted to working with kids and advocating for resources that enable them to thrive. She is partnering with EarlystART, a Kansas City organization that aims to create and increase opportunities for local kids and families.
Tierna Davidson
Tierna Davidson is a veteran defender for Gotham FC. Davidson is a former no. 1 overall NWSL draft pick and won an Olympic gold medal during the 2024 Paris Olympics. She’s working with Girls Leadership as her community partner. Girls Leadership is an organization that aims to help schools and other youth serving organizations get the resources they need to empower girls to use their voice and learn to lead. The organization is also helping Davidson implement her Power Lab, an initiative that helps support young female athletes on and off the field.
Cameron Brooks
Cameron Brooks is a defender in her first season with the North Carolina Courage. North Carolina acquired Brooks ahead of the 2026 NWSL season, but she previously played professionally in Italy. Brooks is passionate about creating a sense of community and building impactful connections with kids in need. Her community partner is The Bair Foundation, a Christian foster care and adoption agency.
Zara Chavoshi
Zara Chavoshi is a second-year defender for the Orlando Pride. She had an outstanding collegiate career at Wake Forest and was the Pride’s first college signing after the NWSL draft was abolished. Chavoshi is passionate about addressing and conquering barriers that limit housing opportunities for families in underserved communities. She’s partnering with Habitat for Humanity Seminole—Apopka, a local organization that works to build affordable housing and facilitate stronger communities.
Bella Bixby
Bella Bixby is a veteran goalkeeper for the Portland Thorns. Bixby is a proud Oregonian as she grew up in the state, played college soccer at Oregon State, and has spent all of her professional career with the Thorns. She values environmental stewardship and nature education, which is why she chose Friends of Trees as her community partner. Friends of Trees is an organization that takes action against climate change by planting trees.
Jordyn Bloomer
Jordynn Bloomer is a goalkeeper in her fifth season with Racing Louisvillie FC. She had a breakout season in 2025 when she stepped into a starting role. Bloomer is a foodie and understands how vital cooking is to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. With that in mind, she partnered with Dare to Care, a food bank that supplies groceries and kitchen-made meals to community members in need.
Nya Harrison
Nya Harrison is a second-year defender for the San Diego Wave FC. Harrison is a San Diego local who became the first Filipina player to sign a NWSL contract in March 2025. Growing up as a woman of color, she has seen the impact of San Diego’s homelessness crisis and how it disproportionately affects communities of color. Her community partner is the Monarch School Project, a nonprofit corporation that is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for unhoused children and their families.
Cassie Miller
Cassie Miller is a veteran goalkeeper for Seattle Reign FC. She came to Seattle in a trade during December 2024 and has been with the Reign since. Miller has been passionate about heart health since she had open-heart surgery at two months old. She is supporting Nick of Time, a local foundation that helps prevent future heart complications through early screenings and awareness campaigns.
Aria Nagai
Aria Nagai is a midfielder in her second season with the Utah Royals. Most of her collegiate career was spent at Princeton, but she transferred to UNC Chapel Hill, where she became a national champion. Her experience growing up as an Asian American has shown her the value of representation, community connection, and opportunity access, which is why she is partnering with the Asian Association of Utah. It is an organization that supports victims of human trafficking and refugees as they transition to life in Utah.
Leicy Santos
Leicy Santos is a midfielder for the Washington Spirit. She is in her third season with the Spirit but began her professional career internationally. Santos was born in Colombia and created a foundation called Fundación Leicy Santos with hopes of giving back to her community. Her foundation is her community partner, and it utilizes soccer as a way to teach life-building skills and provide other vital resources.
Featured image via NWSL
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