NACIRO Honors Outstanding Individuals at Annual Meeting

The National Association of County Intergovernmental Relations Officials (NACIRO) celebrated excellence in county advocacy during its 2026 Annual Business Meeting in New Orleans, held in conjunction with the National Association of Counties Annual Conference.

During the meeting, NACIRO recognized Jessica Corbitt-Dominguez of Fulton County, Georgia, as the 2026 Intergovernmental Relations Officer of the Year and Liz Young of Hennepin County, Minnesota, as the inaugural recipient of the NACIRO Emerging Leader of the Year Award.

Jessica Corbitt-Dominguez: Intergovernmental Relations Officer of the Year

NACIRO Past President Tiffany Stewart-Stanley introduced Jessica Corbitt-Dominguez, Director of Fulton County’s Department of External Affairs, as the 2026 Intergovernmental Relations Officer of the Year. In her remarks, she noted that Jessica is a trail blazer who has paved the way for many in Georgia, including herself. 

Corbitt-Dominguez has served Fulton County for more than 25 years and currently leads its communications, digital, intergovernmental, and interagency affairs divisions. She serves as a key liaison between county leadership, 40 departments, justice partners, municipalities, and state and federal officials, while also guiding the county’s legislative strategy and monitoring policy developments during Georgia’s legislative sessions.

Her leadership has strengthened regional collaboration and improved public access to information and services. She has helped expand tools such as the Fulton Votes and Fulton Cares mobile applications and the OneFulton newsletter, while also supporting efforts to secure grants that have expanded mental health services and strengthened partnerships between behavioral health providers and law enforcement.

Liz Young: Inaugural Emerging Leader of the Year

NACIRO also presented its first Emerging Leader of the Year Award to Liz Young, Director of Intergovernmental Relations for Hennepin County. NACIRO Past President Kareem Murphy introduced Young and recognized her rapid rise as a trusted and effective advocate for county priorities.

He spoke about how, in less than two years as Director, Young has coordinated statewide advocacy across Minnesota’s 87 counties, helped prevent costly state mandates, and secured significant funding for human services technology systems. She also played a key role in building bipartisan support for a $750 million rescue package to stabilize Hennepin County’s public safety-net hospital during a financial crisis.

Beyond her county work, Young is widely recognized for her collaborative leadership style, ethical approach, and commitment to strengthening public service systems.

Celebrating Excellence and the Future of NACIRO

Together, Corbitt-Dominguez and Young represent the experience, innovation, and commitment that define the intergovernmental relations profession. NACIRO congratulates Jessica Corbitt-Dominguez and Liz Young on these well-deserved honors and thanks them for their continued service to their counties, communities, and the intergovernmental relations profession.