Washington, D.C. — The National Academy of Social Insurance hosted its annual Robert M. Ball Award gala on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. The event brought together hundreds of leaders across government, business, labor, academia, and advocacy to celebrate bold, visionary leadership advancing the future of economic security for all Americans.
“Social insurance isn’t just a set of government programs—it’s a living expression of our interdependence and how we show up for each other when it matters most,” said Rebecca Vallas, Chief Executive Officer of the National Academy of Social Insurance. “This year’s honorees and presenters alike embody that spirit—leaders who have strengthened Social Security’s promise while inspiring the next generation to carry the work forward.”
The event honored former Social Security Commissioners Michael J. Astrue and Martin O’Malley for their leadership, innovation, and dedication to strengthening the Social Security Administration. The honorees’ bipartisan service reflected the enduring legacy of Robert M. Ball—Social Security’s longest-serving Commissioner and a transformative force behind the modern social insurance system.
The evening also featured the debut of the Frances Perkins Next Generation Award, presented in partnership with the Frances Perkins Center. The inaugural honorees—Taylor Carty, Johntrell Bowles, and Zane Snyder Cox—were recognized for their early leadership in advancing the future of social insurance policy.
The 2025 gala marked a milestone year as the Academy continued celebrating the 90th anniversary of Social Security’s founding, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the systems that protect Americans across the lifespan—from retirement and disability to caregiving and job loss.
About the National Academy of Social Insurance
Founded in 1986, the National Academy of Social Insurance is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization made up of the nation’s leading experts on social insurance policy, practice, research, and innovation. From Social Security and Supplemental Security Income; to Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act; to Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment Insurance; to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and income-boosting tax credits, America’s social insurance ecosystem serves as the bedrock of economic protection against the risks of life — such as when we retire, lose a job, experience disability/illness, or lose a family breadwinner. For nearly 40 years, the Academy and its powerful, diverse member network have championed the safeguarding, strengthening, and modernizing of social insurance and worked to increase public understanding of how it contributes to economic security.