Outstanding City Employee Award and Brian Murphy Award for Leadership and Public Service

Every spring, the Cambridge City Manager seeks nominations for the Outstanding City Employee Award (OEA) and the Brian Murphy Award (see more further below). The OEA program recognizes City employees for their extraordinary contributions to public service, above and beyond job requirements. Individuals may nominate as many City employees as they choose, but must submit a separate nomination form for each nominee. An employee may not nominate their direct supervisor or department head. 

See a list of past recipients of the Outstanding Employee and Brian Murphy Leadership Award further below. 

Criteria for determining outstanding performance include:

• Demonstrated commitment to residents and City operations or programs;
• Developed an innovative or creative solution to a problem or made a significant contribution to the success of a project;
• Donated significant time to activities that benefit the Cambridge community;
• Demonstrated consistent commitment to advancing the City's antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion values in work contributions.

Recipients of the 2024 OEA Award and the Brian Murphy Leadership Award were honored at a ceremony on Friday, May 17, at 9:30 a.m. in Cambridge City Hall.
Congratulations to the 2024 OEA and Brian Murphy Leadership Award Recipients

View 2024 OEA Award Ceremony

For more information about the Outstanding City Employee Awards, contact Matt Nelson at 617-349-4266 or mnelson@cambridgema.gov.

Brian Murphy Award

The Brian Murphy Award for Leadership in the Workplace and Public Service is a distinguished recognition given to leaders who display extraordinary qualities in the workplace and dedication to community service.

Who is Eligible:

• Nominees for the Brian Murphy award should be current or former City employees who are or have been senior leaders in the organization;
• Individuals who hold/held management positions and provide(d) high-level leadership and direction for City’s and/or department operations, manage(d) core initiatives and establish(ed) organization-wide policies and standards;
• Current employees employed by the City for a minimum of two years;
• A former employee who in addition to the above criteria held a leadership role with City within the last 2 years.

This award, first given in 2015, exemplifies – much like the late Assistant City Manager for Community Development, Brian Murphy – the essence of selflessness and a steadfast philosophy of paying it forward. The award recognizes how a leader creates a supportive and nurturing learning environment for their colleagues while setting a standard for their peers in providing effective public service. Through their unwavering commitment and mentorship, this award recognizes leaders who prepare the City's workforce for success and generously share their expertise and knowledge. The candidate for this award is deeply committed to continuous professional development, embodying leadership, and service in every aspect of their career.

Criteria for the Brian Murphy Award for Leadership in the Workplace and Public Service include:

• Is dedicated to promoting good governance and ensuring that the residents of Cambridge receive essential services;
• Assumes leadership and provides direction for their team within the professional setting;
• Consistently exhibits an exceptional commitment to supporting and guiding colleagues within their department, prioritizing delivering outstanding service to the community's residents.
• Volunteers their time and expertise to assist their peers and colleagues;
• Inspires others to serve the public in their jobs and the community.

Previous Brian Murphy Award Recipients

• Owen O'Riordan, Public Works (2015)
• Ellen Semonoff, DHSP (2016)
• Jeana Franconi, Budget (2017)
• Richard Rossi, City Manager (2018)
• Lisa Peterson, City Manager (2019)
• Branville Bard, CPD (2020)
• Claude-Alix Jacob, CPHD (2021)
• Robert Healy, City Manager (2022)