Catalight Awarded Gold Stevie for Managing an Autism Care Network That’s Reshaping the Industry

Catalight accepted its second Stevie Award last week at the 24th annual American Business Awards in New York after being honored for ‘Achievement in Management’ in the Health Products & Services field.

Catalight, one of the nation’s largest behavioral health networks, earned a Gold Stevie Award for its leadership in transforming autism care nationwide – advancing a shift from volume-based services to precision care centered on individualized goals, measurable outcomes, family wellbeing and greater access to high-quality care.

“This award recognizes the incredible work of our leaders, clinicians and researchers but, for us, it’s as much about momentum,” said Sara Mathews, Catalight’s senior vice president of operations and strategic implementation. “Leadership should challenge the status quo and good management should serve to create change beyond the walls of a single organization. Catalight is focused on building systems that improve care and help move the autism field forward. We hope this award further amplifies our ability to drive meaningful change at a time when it’s needed most.”

The American Business Awards are the country’s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the United States are eligible to submit nominations – public and private, for-profit and nonprofit, large and small.

Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning “crowned,” the awards were presented to winners during a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Midtown Manhattan on June 9.

More than 3,700 nominations from individuals and organizations in virtually every industry were submitted to a range of categories. They were judged by 230 professionals from across the world.

“We know there is still important work ahead,” said Mathews. “Too many families continue to face barriers to care and support. We remain committed to reimagining healthcare and creating a future where more individuals and families have access, better outcomes and greater wellbeing.”

Managing a network of more than 15,000 practitioners, Catalight was highlighted for its promise to provide diagnostic evaluations within 10 days of referral in a time when many families wait months or years to be seen. From there, 93% of those diagnosed

began care within 10 days. At a time when healthcare costs are skyrocketing, the nonprofit was also able to realize a 30% reduction in costs through advances in precision care. It was lauded in its efforts to mitigate industry-wide shortages of practitioners by both helping to reduce burnout – through telehealth and AI efficiencies – and educate more clinicians with its Catalight Academy online learning platform.

“Organizations across the United States continue to set a high standard for innovation and performance,” said Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller. “The breadth and quality of nominations submitted to the 2026 American Business Awards reflect a dynamic and competitive business environment, where organizations are finding new ways to drive growth, deliver value and make an impact.”

Catalight CEO Susan Armiger won a Silver Stevie last year for Innovative Woman of the Year in Healthcare.

The full list of 2026 Stevie winners can be found here: The American Business Awards®