NEMT Standard's Dakota Wilkinson Named an Official Qualified Nominee for the 2026 NEMT Leadership and Advocacy Award

At NEMT Standard, we are proud to share that our co-founder, Dakota Wilkinson, has been named an Official Qualified Nominee for the 2026 NEMT Leadership and Advocacy Award.

The award recognizes an individual or organization whose leadership has advanced the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation industry through advocacy, education, standards development, organizational leadership, and other meaningful contributions that strengthen access to care and elevate the profession. Following the qualification review, Dakota advanced to the judging round, a step earned through the work she puts in to raise the bar for how NEMT operates.

Being recognized by peers in this space means a great deal to us, because it reflects the exact standard we set out to build.

The Work Behind the Recognition

Dakota's approach to NEMT has always been grounded in the real operation, not theory. Her lane is the business side: procurement, contracts, and the standards that keep a company credible and built to last. With more than a decade of procurement and contracts experience, she knows how to tell a reputable resource from a sales pitch, and how to spot the vendors and shortcuts that quietly cost operators money and credibility. Her business partner, Cho, brings the on-the-ground side, from securement and safety to the operational systems that keep providers compliant and running well. Together, that is where NEMT Standard came from.

A big part of Dakota's work is helping owners understand what their contracts actually require, then pointing them to the right resources to meet those requirements instead of learning the hard way. She also works directly with the companies that serve this industry, from software platforms to insurance and equipment providers, giving real operator feedback that pushes those products to be better for NEMT owners. The goal is a stronger network on every side, so owners are not navigating it alone.

They built NEMT Standard to close a gap they kept seeing across the industry. Owners and operators are held to high standards, but they rarely have access to practical guidance or a straight answer about which tools, training, and partners are actually worth their time.

"There is real demand for NEMT in every market, but too many new owners get steered toward spammy vendors and bad advice before they ever get a fair shot," Dakota said. "My background in procurement and contracts taught me how to separate reputable resources from noise, and that is what I want to hand other operators. Better quality, better training, better blueprints. When we help people avoid the same mistakes and build the right way, we stop the bad reputation that gets pinned on this industry and we make it better for everyone in it."

Her passion is connecting owners with the right resources and equipping them to actually succeed, not leaving them to guess their way through it. The demand for NEMT is everywhere. The goal is making sure the people meeting it are set up to do it well.

Through NEMT Standard, that shows up in a few ways:

• We deliver CTAA PASS wheelchair securement training in person, so frontline staff leave with real confidence, regulatory compliance, and skills they can use the moment they are back in the vehicle.

• Our NEMT operational consulting works with owners and operators to strengthen safety, compliance, and the systems that let an operation grow without cutting corners. You can see how we structure that work on our NEMT consulting page: https://www.nemtstandard.com/nemt-consulting

• Beyond training and consulting, we help connect NEMT professionals to the resources, tools, and people that make it easier to lead well and grow responsibly.

That is the standard we are building toward: safer trips, stronger operators, and a profession that is respected for the essential care it provides. Dakota's recognition reflects that mission, and the providers and partners who push it forward alongside us.

Recognition at NEMTAC Transform 2026

Award recipients will be recognized during NEMTAC Transform 2026, hosted by the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Accreditation Commission, taking place August 16 to 19 at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando, Florida.

It is one of the most important gatherings of the year for our industry, bringing together operators, leaders, and advocates who care about where NEMT is headed. We are honored to have Dakota's name in that conversation and grateful to be part of a community working to move the profession forward.

Come Connect With Us

NEMT Standard will be at NEMTAC Transform 2026, and both Dakota and Cho will be there in person.

We are also hosting a networking meetup on Sunday, August 17th, from 5 to 7 pm. It is a relaxed chance to connect with us and with other professionals across the industry, whether you are an owner, an operator, or part of a frontline team.

There is no cost to attend. We would love to meet you, hear what you are working on, and talk about where things are going next.

Register to join us at no cost HERE.

If you are attending NEMTAC Transform 2026, come find us. And if you have not made plans yet, consider this your reason to be in the room.