Robbee Baker Kosak Leadership Prize
The Robbee Baker Kosak Leadership Prize, awarded at the annual Hertz Summer Workshop, recognizes an individual who embodies transformational leadership and inspires excellence from their community.
In 2025, the Hertz Foundation announced the prize as part of the Robbee Baker Kosak Leadership Fund, which provides new funds for securing world-class leaders in science and technology to speak at its signature events. The fund and prize was established in honor of Kosak, who retired on Jan 1, 2025, after almost 10 years as Hertz Foundation president.
The prize will be administered by the Hertz Fellowship and Program Council, the foundation’s advisory body, composed of Hertz Fellows and other volunteers from the science and technology community. The recipient will deliver a presentation at the Hertz Summer Workshop, the signature event for the Hertz community and one-of-a-kind gathering of some of the nation's top scientists, entrepreneurs and leaders.
After joining the foundation in 2015, Kosak guided the organization into a new era of philanthropic leadership. With an emphasis on relationship building with Hertz Fellows and donors, she positioned the organization for long-term financial stability by quadrupling gift revenue. She prioritized professional support for the network of 1,300 Hertz Fellows by expanding opportunities such as mentoring, research collaborations and workshops to fuel the fellows’ impact and success.
In establishing the fund, the Hertz Foundation hopes to inspire each member of the Hertz community to extend Kosak’s legacy by actively engaging, connecting and supporting its work, whether through financial gifts or volunteer service.
