California Council for Excellence

Inspiring and enabling organizations to achieve world-class results
based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework

California Council for Excellence (CCE) is dedicated to improving organizational performance excellence of California-based organizations in all sectors. CCE administers the California Awards for Performance Excellence (CAPE) program, which helps organizations achieve best-in-class levels of performance, recognizes role-model organizations, and identifies and shares best practices, principles, and strategies.

Our Services

13929057078_d27fbca42c_o.jpg

Baldrige-based
Assessments

Learn more

Fellows
Program

Learn more
workshop-2209239_1280.jpg

Examiner
Training

Learn more
2K4A3077.jpg

Organizational
Membership

Learn more
AHWM+Awards.jpg

Twelve California-based organizations are Malcolm Baldrige National Quality
Award Recipients!

Seek excellence.

Check out recent announcements, upcoming training sessions, and resources below

 

  • Two U.S. organizations will receive the 2025 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s only presidential honor recognizing performance excellence. The award, based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework and administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, highlights organizations that focus on organizational resilience and demonstrate strong, systematic approaches to achieving and sustaining high performance.

    Eighteen organizations from the manufacturing, service, education, nonprofit and health care sectors applied for the award. This year’s honorees, both from the health care sector, exemplify sustained excellence in serving their patients and communities through effective leadership and results-driven management and operational systems.

    READ MORE

  • On behalf of the Board of Directors for the California Council for Excellence, we are excited to share some wonderful news about the future of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program! Beginning with the 2026 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award cycle, the Alliance for Performance Excellence and the Baldrige Foundation will join forces to lead and enhance the award program and all operations, ushering in a new era of innovation and expanded impact. This strengthened partnership will ensure that the Baldrige mission continues to inspire excellence, drive improvement, and deliver lasting value to organizations and communities across our great nation. We look forward to this next chapter and to continuing our shared journey toward performance excellence together.

     Best Regards,

    Denise F. Shields, CCE Board of Directors Chair

    READ PRESS RELEASE HERE

  • The California Council for Excellence (CCE) has named three organizations as 2024 California Awards for Performance Excellence (CAPE) award and recognition recipients. The honorees are recognized based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework and the Baldrige Excellence Builder for their outstanding commitment to sustainable excellence through organizational resilience, continuous improvement, and visionary leadership.

    Eureka Award for Performance Excellence | Silver Level - Achievement of Excellence

    Valley Children’s Hospital, Madera, CA (Health Care)

    More than 70 years ago, Valley Children’s Hospital (VCH) began as the vision of five civic-minded women who saw the need for a dedicated pediatric hospital in Central California. Since then, VCH has grown from a 42-bed hospital to one of the largest pediatric healthcare networks in the country. In all they do, they honor their founding mothers and the vision that started it all.

    Eureka Award for Performance Excellence | Silver Level - Achievement of Excellence

    Mizuho OSI, Union City, CA (Manufacturing)

    Mizuho OSI, designs, manufactures, and services specialty surgical tables and pressure injury abatement products to the global orthopedic market.

    Prospector Recognition

    Equus Workforce Solutions, Moreno Valley, CA (Service)

    Equus Workforce Solutions is a comprehensive provider of workforce development services in North America. We are drivers and collaborators for workforce systems change, including adapting to changes in legislation, job seeker demographics and market and industry changes. We do this by integrating data-driven technology, expanding access to services, and streamlining partner-supported service delivery.

    These organizations have demonstrated their commitment to performance excellence by embarking on the Baldrige journey. Congratulations to the 2024 CAPE Award recipients, Valley Children’s Hospital, Mizuho OSI, and Equus Workforce Solutions.

  • The process for the 2025 Baldrige Award, the nation’s highest recognition for excellence in organizational performance, is now underway, with the 2025 Baldrige Award Criteria now available.

    The Baldrige Award Criteria are used to identify and recognize organizations that are U.S. role models of resilience and long-term success and from which other organizations can learn and improve. Feedback from customers and stakeholders, including from examiners and Baldrige Award applicants, was used to validate, refine, and improve the criteria and award process.

    READ MORE

  • California Council for Excellence partners with The Lean Six Sigma Company to Help Organizations Streamline Operations.

    Learn more about the partnership and all four Lean Six Sigma courses provided.

  • Explore free educational resources HERE