Sandra Clark, Director of the Michigan Historical Center, received the Distinguished Service Award. A graduate of Michigan State University, Clark has had a distinguished service in the museum field since 1979. In her current position, she directs the Michigan State Historical Museum system, including its central museum in Lansing, Michigan and 12 divisional museums and historic sites throughout the state. In addition, she directs the work of the State Historic Preservation Office, the Divisions of Archeology and Underwater Archeology, the Publications Bureau, and the State Archives. Clark has twice served on the AMM Board, most recently from 2001-2005. On the national level, Clark has served on the board of the American Association for State and Local History and was an early advocate for the proposed Federal Formula Grant Program.

Erin Colburn, Curator of Education at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, received the Promising Leadership Award. While a student at the University of Wisconsin (Madison), Colburn completed an internship at the Elvehjem (now Chazen) Museum of Art that allowed her to merge her passion for art and her interest in education. In her position, Erin has developed innovative education programs, including an initiative with the Art Beyond Sight organization to enable low-vision and blind visitors to benefit more fully from interactions with art utilizing touch-tour techniques and specially created "tactiles." Colburn has presented at the AMM conference and currently serves on the AMM Programs and Services Committee. She has demonstrated many leadership skills and promises to make continued contributions to the museum field.