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2026 Annual Tall Tree Awards
Recognizing our city’s outstanding businesses and individuals
Thursday, April 16, 2026
5:30 – 8:00 pm
Oshman Family JCC
3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto
2026 Winners
OUTSTANDING CITIZEN VOLUNTEER
Sigrid Pinsky
OUTSTANDING NONPROFIT
Gamble Garden
OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL
Lee Pfab
OUTSTANDING BUSINESS
Terún and iTalico
Read more about the winners featured in this Palo Alto Online article >>
About the Tall Tree Awards
The Tall Tree Awards are given to individuals and organizations that have shown exceptional civic contributions and service to the community. The annual event is sponsored by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce and the Palo Alto Weekly, a Chamber Leaders Circle Member. Nominations are submitted by the general public once a year and awarded in four categories. From time to time, a special Global Impact Award is given to a person or business whose business or professional contributions have been felt around the world.
For Sponsorship Opportunities, contact: Charlie@paloaltochamber.com.
The Tall Tree Awards are proudly co-presented by
Recognizing our city’s outstanding businesses and individuals to benefit the educational programs of the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization.
Questions? Contact the Chamber at 650-324-3125 or charlie@paloaltochamber.com
Past Tall Tree Award Winners
| 2025 |
Rich Green |
| 2024 |
Betsy Bechtel |
| 2023 |
Bruce Gee |
| 2022 |
Roger Smith |
| 2021 |
Hal Mickelson |
| 2019 |
Paula Collins |
| 2018 |
Mary and Allan Seid, M.D. |
| 2017 |
Winter Dellenbach |
| 2016 |
Olenka Villarreal |
| 2015 |
Fran Codispoti |
| 2014 |
Cathy Kroymann |
| 2013 |
Becky Beacomb |
| 2012 |
Alison Cormack |
| 2011 |
Bill Alhouse * & Jane Alhouse Gee |
| 2010 |
Mary and Victor Ojakian |
| 2009 |
Carolyn Tucher |
| 2008 |
Megan Swezey Fogarty |
| 2007 |
Gary Fazzino* |
| 2006 |
Barbara Spreng |
| 2005 |
Mike Cobb |
| 2004 |
Julie Jerome |
| 2003 |
Lanie Wheeler |
| 2001 |
Walter Hays |
| 2000 |
Nevida Butler |
| 1999 |
Sam Webster* |
| 1998 |
Madeline J. Stein |
| 1997 |
Boyd C. Smith |
| 1996 |
Bill Reller |
| 1994 |
Larry Klein |
| 1993 |
Stephen W. Player |
| 1991 |
Gretchen Emmons |
| 1989 |
Aggie Robinson * |
| 1988 |
Jim Burklo |
| 1987 |
Debbie Mytels |
| 1985 |
Anne Warner Cribbs |
| 1983 |
Virginia Lee* |
| 1982 |
Alan Henderson * |
* deceased
| 2025 |
AchieveKids |
| 2024 |
Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum Zoo |
| 2023 |
DreamCatchers |
| 2022 |
Peninsula Open Space Trust |
| 2021 |
Palo Alto Players |
| 2019 |
La Comida de California |
| 2018 |
Ada's Café |
| 2017 |
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford ** |
| 2016 |
Kiwanis Club of Palo Alto |
| 2015 |
Acterra |
| 2014 |
Palo Alto Community Child Care |
| 2013 |
Bay Area Cancer Connections (Breast Cancer Connections) |
| 2012 |
Foundation for a College Education |
| 2011 |
Youth Community Service (YCS) |
| 2010 |
Downtown Streets Team |
| 2009 |
Abilities United ** |
| 2008 |
Canopy, Trees for Palo Alto |
| 2007 |
Christmas Bureau of Palo Alto |
| 2006 |
Children’s Health Council |
| 2005 |
Adolescent Counseling Services |
| 2004 |
Palo Alto Housing Corporation |
| 2003 |
YMCA of the Peninsula |
| 2002 |
Hidden Villa |
| 2001 |
Environmental Volunteers |
| 1999 |
Palo Alto Medical Foundation |
| 1997 |
Palo Alto Children’s Theatre |
| 1996 |
Palo Alto Police Department |
| 1995 |
Gleim the Jeweler |
| 1994 |
TheatreWorks |
| 1993 |
Hobee’s Restaurants |
| 1992 |
Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich (Ware & Freidenrich) ** |
| 1991 |
Sun Microsystems ** |
| 1990 |
KARA |
| 1988 |
Neighbors Abroad |
| 1987 |
Winter Lodge (The Trust for Community Skating) |
| 1984 |
Avenidas (Senior Coordinating Council) |
| 1982 |
Hewlett-Packard Company ** |
| 1981 |
Palo Alto Host Lion’s Club |
| 1980 |
Roche Bioscience (SyntexCorporation) ** |
** organization's name has changed or it no longer exists as shown
| 2025 |
Rev. Kaloma Smith |
| 2024 |
Sherri Sager |
| 2023 |
Bill Liberatore |
| 2022 |
Pastor Paul Bains |
| 2021 |
Cammie Vail |
| 2019 |
Enoch Choi, M.D. |
| 2018 |
Shashank V. Joshi, M.D. |
| 2017 |
James Shelby |
| 2016 |
Richard "Dick" Peery |
| 2015 |
Sharon Keplinger |
| 2014 |
Dennis Burns |
| 2013 |
Ray Bacchetti * |
| 2012 |
John Barton |
| 2011 |
Jim Baer |
| 2010 |
Roxy Rapp |
| 2009 |
Carroll Harrington * |
| 2008 |
Linda Lenoir |
| 2007 |
Chop Keenan |
| 2006 |
Dr. Don Barr |
| 2005 |
Tony Carrasco |
| 2004 |
Sandra Pearson |
| 2002 |
Jay Thorwaldson |
| 2000 |
Elliot Margolies |
| 1999 |
Lupe Garcia |
| 1998 |
Larry Hassett |
| 1997 |
Margo Dutton |
| 1993 |
Sylvia Seaman |
| 1992 |
Gary Cavalli |
| 1991 |
Loretta Green |
| 1990 |
William Johnson |
| 1989 |
Andy Doty |
| 1988 |
John Northway |
| 1986 |
Kay Philips |
| 1985 |
Sarita S. Berry |
| 1984 |
Dr. Bernard S. Aarons |
| 1983 |
Jack Wheatley |
| 1982 |
Leonard Ely * |
* deceased
| 2025 |
Alta Mesa Cemetery and Funeral Home |
| 2024 |
Zareen's |
| 2023 |
Coupa Cafe |
| 2022 |
Homewood Suites by Hilton |
| 2021 |
Premier Properties |
| 2019 |
KEEN Garage |
| 2018 |
SAP |
| 2017 |
Presidio Bank |
| 2016 |
Palo Alto Bicycles |
| 2015 |
Stanford Federal Credit Union |
| 2014 |
Sheraton Westin Hotels |
| 2013 |
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati |
| 2012 |
Whole Foods Market |
| 2011 |
University Art Center ** |
| 2010 |
Stern Mortgage |
| 2009 |
Ming's Chinese Restaurant ** |
| 2008 |
IDEO |
| 2007 |
JJ & F Food Store ** |
| 2006 |
Lockheed Martin |
| 2004 |
Garden Court Hotel |
** organization's name has changed or it no longer exists as shown
| 2025 |
Hon. Joe Simitian & Hon. Anna Eshoo |
| 2022 |
Prof. Dr. Yvonne "Bonnie" Maldonado |
| 2021 |
Dr. Sara Cody |
| 2017 |
Gordon and Betty Moore |
| 2013 |
John Hennessy |