The award is given annually to an individual who has furthered the status of women in the economics profession through example, achievements, increasing our understanding of how women can advance in the economics profession, or mentoring others. 

Husbands Fealing’s “exemplary career demonstrates her versatility as an economist, academic leader, and champion of diversity in STEM fields,” according to the award announcement. 

“Many congratulations to Dean Husbands Fealing on this well-deserved award,” said Steve McLaughlin, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “Our Georgia Tech community knows her as a steadfast leader, champion, and scholar who has spent her career acting as a dedicated advocate committed to raising and supporting underrepresented voices. This distinction is a fitting tribute to her work and we are proud to see her recognized.” 

Husbands Fealing earned her BA in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and her Ph.D. from Harvard University. Her research has encompassed the study of the science of science and innovation policy, the public value of research expenditures, and the underrepresentation of women and minorities in STEM fields and the STEM workforce.  

The collaborative award-winning study on gender pay gaps in U.S. Federal science agencies exemplifies her dedication to addressing disparities in the workforce. She also recently co-authored a book chapter on measuring the gender gap in innovation in the Handbook of Innovation Indicators and Measurement (second edition).

She has served on the faculties of Williams College and the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs, where she garnered numerous accolades, including Teacher of the Year awards. Before becoming dean, she was chair of Georgia Tech’s School of Public Policy. 

She also has served as the Economics Program Director at the National Science Foundation (NSF), where she spearheaded the Science of Science and Innovation Policy program and co-chaired the Science of Science Policy Interagency Task Group.

Husbands Fealing is the chair of the NSF’s Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering and is a member of the NSF STEM Education Directorate's Advisory Committee.

She is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and an elected fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). She also serves on the executive boards of NAPA and AAAS. 

She has served on the board of AEA’s Committee on the Status of Women in the Economics Profession and as president of the National Economics Association. In addition to these structural roles, Husbands Fealing has personally mentored numerous economists. 

“Kaye truly deserves this award for her formidable research on disparities in the workforce. Her intelligence, hard work, and compassion have helped her break barriers in the economics profession, which men traditionally dominate,” said Shatakshee Dhongde, associate dean for academic affairs in the College and associate professor in the School of Economics. “She is a role model for female economists like me and for many other economists of color, of immigrant background, and those working at the intersection of economics and policy.”