2026 Greater Philadelphia Innovation Awards Public Voting Survey

1.What is your name?(Required.)

2.What is your email?(Required.)

3.Please VOTE for ONE of the following SOCIAL INVESTORS: Innovative strategies driving capital to those who need it most(Required.)

Hillary Do, PhillyBOLT - Hillary Do is redefining how capital flows to those closest to community challenges by centering investment in grassroots leadership through PhillyBOLT, Build Our Lives Together. Her work addresses a critical gap in the social investment landscape. Community leaders in low-income neighborhoods possess deep local knowledge, trust, and commitment, yet they receive a fraction of traditional philanthropic funding and are often expected to lead without compensation, training, or institutional support. Through the BOLT School for Grassroots Leadership, Hillary created an innovative eight-month, $12,000-per-participant leadership and capacity-building model that directly invests in grassroots leaders as drivers of social and economic impact. The program provides over 100 hours of hands-on instruction rooted in Philadelphia’s realities, monthly executive coaching, compensation for participants’ time and expertise, and practical tools to build sustainable organizations, including strategic plans, budgets, governance structures, and impact measurement systems. By prioritizing people over institutions, PhillyBOLT challenges conventional funding models and demonstrates how targeted, trust-based investment in community leaders can generate meaningful, measurable returns. Hillary’s approach exemplifies social investing that moves resources to where they are most effective, into the hands of those already working every day to strengthen their neighborhoods.

Vashti DuBois, The Colored Girls Museum, fels foundation, William Penn Foundation - Vashti DuBois is advancing social good by directing resources toward cultural visibility, community empowerment, and long-term community value through The Colored Girls Museum, with support from partners including the Fels Foundation and the William Penn Foundation. Located in an underserved community, the Museum serves as a vital space dedicated to making Black women and girls visible in a society that too often marginalizes, adultifies, or erases Black girlhood. The Colored Girls Museum is distinguished by its mission-driven model and its intentional use of space as a community-centered platform for expression, reflection, and connection. Rather than extracting value from artists, the Museum prioritizes elevation over profit, ensuring that artists are supported, respected, and amplified rather than monetized. This approach reflects an alternative flow of capital within the cultural and social sector, one that reinvests funding, opportunity, and visibility directly into artists and the surrounding community. By centering Black women and girls and creating a space rooted in dignity and affirmation, The Colored Girls Museum generates meaningful social returns that extend beyond traditional financial metrics. Vashti DuBois’s leadership exemplifies innovative social investment by aligning philanthropic capital with cultural stewardship and community well-being to create lasting impact.

Arnett Woodal, West Phillie Produce - Arnett Woodal is advancing social good by addressing food access and health disparities in the low- and moderate-income Cobbs Creek community of West Philadelphia. In a neighborhood with limited availability of affordable, fresh food for a predominantly Black population, the lack of healthy options has contributed to challenges in nutrition, cardiovascular health, and overall resilience. Recognizing that access to healthy food is a foundational determinant of well-being, Arnett founded West Phillie Produce more than twenty years ago to respond directly to this community need. Since its inception, West Phillie Produce has provided a consistent, no-cost distribution of fresh, healthy food through a community-based distribution table, local programs, and neighborhood events. This model intentionally removes financial barriers while fostering connection, trust, and shared responsibility around healthy living. By directing resources to residents who are most affected by food insecurity, West Phillie Produce demonstrates an innovative, community-centered approach to social investment that prioritizes health outcomes and dignity. Arnett Woodal’s long-term commitment reflects how sustained, locally driven initiatives can generate meaningful social returns by strengthening community health, resilience, and access to essential resources in underserved neighborhoods.

4.Please VOTE for ONE of the following SOCIETAL IMPACT: Innovative approaches that respond to the needs of people and society.(Required.)

Bucks County Finalists: Donna Duffy-Grimm and Diane Rosati, County of Bucks & Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission - Donna Duffy-Grimm and Diane Rosati exemplify societal impact through their leadership in bringing the BrightPath Center to life, a groundbreaking behavioral health resource designed to meet the evolving needs of the Bucks County community. Recognizing a critical gap in crisis response, Bucks County identified the need for a therapeutically responsive and trauma-informed facility where individuals experiencing behavioral health crises could receive immediate, holistic care. Through years of sustained advocacy and collaboration, Donna and Diane helped lead the development of the BrightPath Center, a 24,000 square foot, 24-hour, seven-day-a-week walk-in facility located on the grounds of Doylestown Hospital and scheduled to open in summer 2026. As one of the first facilities of its kind in Pennsylvania, BrightPath represents an inclusive and scalable approach to behavioral health care, ensuring individuals and families receive comprehensive support during moments of crisis. The project reflects strong cross-sector partnership, including collaboration with county leadership, state agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Donna and Diane worked closely over more than five years to share expertise, uphold best practice standards, and keep the project on track through countless planning and coordination efforts. Their dedication and leadership have strengthened the region’s social fabric and will significantly improve quality of life for individuals and families across Bucks County.

Chester County Finalist: Talonda Rogers, 4th Trimester MOMMIE - Talonda Rogers is creating meaningful societal impact by addressing a critical and often overlooked gap in maternal health during the postpartum period, when more than half of maternal deaths occur. Through 4th Trimester MOMMIE, she is building a nonprofit organization dedicated to medical advocacy for mothers, with a particular focus on supporting BIPOC women who face disproportionate risks and barriers within the healthcare system. While maintaining her full-time role as a nursing instructor, Talonda currently leads this work entirely on a volunteer basis, demonstrating a deep commitment to improving outcomes for mothers and families. Her approach centers on education and empowerment, helping women recognize concerning symptoms early and equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to advocate effectively with medical professionals. This proactive, person-centered model strengthens the social fabric by improving access to care, promoting informed decision-making, and preventing avoidable harm during a vulnerable stage of life. The impact of her work is already evident, as her advocacy has helped save lives, while the structure she is developing shows strong potential for scalability beyond Chester County. Talonda Rogers’s leadership reflects an innovative and sustainable response to a pressing public health need, improving quality of life for mothers and families during the critical fourth trimester.

Delaware County Finalist: Shana Pistilli, Rubato School of Music - Shana Pistilli is creating meaningful societal impact through her leadership of the Rubato School of Music, where she has designed an inclusive and accessible model of creative learning that responds to the diverse needs of individuals and families in her community. At Rubato, students of all abilities and backgrounds are welcomed into a supportive environment where creativity, neurodiversity, and personal growth are celebrated. Through innovative teaching methods and a strong commitment to accessibility, Shana has built a space that removes traditional barriers to participation and ensures every student has the opportunity to discover and develop their musical voice. The impact of her work extends well beyond music instruction, strengthening confidence, self-expression, and a sense of belonging for those who participate. By fostering connection and empowerment through the universal language of music, Rubato School of Music contributes to stronger social bonds and improved quality of life. Shana’s approach exemplifies an inclusive, sustainable model that nurtures individual potential while reinforcing the social fabric, demonstrating how creative education can serve as a powerful catalyst for community well-being and lasting societal change.

Montgomery County Finalist: Jesse Antonini, Martha's Community Farm - Jesse Antonini is advancing societal impact through an innovative, community-centered approach to food security, environmental sustainability, and collective well-being. In spring 2021, Jesse pioneered Martha’s Community Farm, a program of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, transforming long-unfarmed land at St. Gabriel’s Hall in Audubon, Pennsylvania into a thriving regenerative farm. Through strong partnerships and community engagement, the farm now produces tens of thousands of pounds of culturally relevant food selected by the community and distributed to more than 8,000 food-insecure families served by the Martha’s Choice Marketplace pantry. The farm’s model blends environmental stewardship with social impact, leveraging a dedicated core team alongside approximately 3,000 volunteers to address hunger while strengthening community connection. Regenerative practices focus on building soil health, improving ecosystem resilience, and supporting the long-term sustainability of food production. A key feature of the farm is its 360-tree native food forest, which also serves as an upland riparian buffer overlooking the Perkiomen Creek and was recognized with the Montgomery Award in 2024. Jesse’s leadership demonstrates a scalable and inclusive solution that strengthens the social fabric by linking food access, environmental health, and community participation to improve quality of life for families across the region.

Philadelphia Finalist: Dr. Michelle Carerra Morales, Xiente - Dr. Michelle Carrera Morales is creating lasting societal impact through her leadership as CEO of Xiente, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening economic mobility for Philadelphia families. Xiente’s approach centers on affordable housing as a foundation for stability and opportunity, recognizing that housing costs are often the greatest barrier to financial security. In 2024, Xiente built and opened ten units of affordable housing for individuals and families earning 60 percent of Area Median Income or below, with additional plans to renovate existing housing stock through the Philadelphia Housing Authority and to break ground on new affordable housing units in 2026. By ensuring that residents spend less than 30 percent of their income on housing, Xiente enables families to reduce financial strain, pay down debt, and begin moving from poverty toward long-term prosperity. Complementing its housing work, Xiente is also piloting a guaranteed income program designed to further accelerate economic stability and resilience for participating families. Together, these initiatives reflect an inclusive and sustainable model that responds directly to community needs while strengthening the social fabric. Under Dr. Carrera Morales’s leadership, Xiente demonstrates how integrated, forward-looking solutions can expand opportunity and improve quality of life across Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Finalist: Asylum Pride House - Asylum Pride House is creating meaningful societal impact by addressing the urgent and intersecting needs of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers who have fled persecution in their countries of origin. Responding to the unique vulnerabilities faced by this population, Asylum Pride House provides safe housing alongside comprehensive, wraparound case management support that prioritizes stability, dignity, and long-term well-being. Their model extends beyond shelter to include a wellness and community-building program and a resource hub designed to connect individuals with essential services and affirming networks. This holistic approach recognizes that true safety includes emotional support, social connection, and access to trusted resources, not just physical security. By meeting people where they are and addressing multiple dimensions of need, Asylum Pride House offers an inclusive and responsive solution that adapts to the evolving realities faced by displaced LGBTQ+ individuals. Through its commitment to radical inclusion and person-centered care, the organization creates pathways for asylum seekers to rebuild their lives and establish a sense of belonging. In doing so, Asylum Pride House strengthens the social fabric and improves quality of life for a community that is too often overlooked, demonstrating how compassionate, integrated approaches can generate lasting societal impact.

5.Please VOTE for ONE of the following PARTNERSHIPS: Innovative cross-sector partnerships addressing complex social and environmental issues.(Required.)

Bucks County Finalist: Cara Gadzinski, Bucks County Division of Human Services - Cara Gadzinski exemplifies the power of cross-sector partnership through her leadership in Bucks County’s Human Services Co-Responder program. Working directly out of the Falls Township Police Department, Cara partners daily with law enforcement to respond to individuals in need of human services who come into contact with police. From the program’s inception five years ago, strong collaboration between human services and law enforcement was recognized as essential to success, and Cara has been a central figure in building and sustaining those relationships. Her ability to navigate complex human services systems, connect individuals to appropriate supports, and earn the trust and respect of police officers has made her a key leader within the program. In addition to directly supporting hundreds of individuals, Cara plays a critical role in training Co-Responders countywide and has contributed to the program’s development and expansion. Through shared leadership and collaboration with police departments, hospitals, schools, and community-based organizations, the Co-Responder model has grown to operate in 27 police departments across Bucks County, reaching thousands of residents who may not otherwise have accessed services. Cara’s work demonstrates how coordinated partnerships can improve crisis response, strengthen systems, and advance collective impact.

Chester County Finalist: Cory Lovera, Open Hearth, Inc. - Cory Lovera has driven significant collective impact through cross-sector partnerships aimed at addressing homelessness in Chester County. Since February 2024, Cory has led Open Hearth’s collaborative efforts among shelters, nonprofit providers, and County government to prioritize housing and coordinated support for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. As the convener of countywide case conferencing, Cory brings together diverse stakeholders to align resources, share accountability, and move individuals toward stable housing. This collaborative approach has been instrumental in Chester County’s progress toward becoming one of only a small number of communities in the nation certified as ending chronic homelessness. Cory’s career in social services, which includes direct care and program management across emergency shelter, mental health court, and rental assistance, informs her ability to bridge systems and perspectives. A lifelong Chester County resident, she brings deep community knowledge and trust to her partnership-building efforts. By fostering shared leadership and system-wide coordination, Cory has strengthened the county’s response to homelessness and improved outcomes for its most vulnerable residents. Her work reflects how intentional collaboration across government, nonprofit, and service systems can address complex social challenges with measurable impact.

Delaware County Finalist: Valencia Peterson, Open Door Abuse Awareness Prevention (ODAAP) - Valencia Peterson demonstrates the transformative potential of cross-sector partnership through her leadership of Open Door Abuse Awareness Prevention, an organization dedicated to youth-focused, trauma-informed abuse prevention. Drawing from her lived experience, Valencia has built partnerships that use football as a catalyst to engage young people, coaches, and teams in conversations about violence prevention and healthy behaviors. Through training coaches and working directly with teams, ODAAP integrates education, mentorship, and prevention within trusted community spaces. Valencia’s work reflects collaboration across youth programs, athletic communities, and prevention-focused organizations, creating pathways for early identification of abuse and healthier relationship dynamics. Her approach centers listening, trust, and long-term engagement, allowing young people to recognize and respond to abusive situations in their own lives and families. The partnerships she has cultivated extend beyond formal systems, embedding prevention into everyday community environments where youth already gather and feel supported. By bridging trauma-informed education with sports-based leadership, Valencia has built a collaborative model that strengthens community awareness and safety. Her work illustrates how shared leadership and unconventional partnerships can address deeply rooted social challenges and generate life-changing outcomes.

Montgomery County Finalist: Patricia McCloskey, Pottstown Area Regional Recreation Committee - Patricia McCloskey advances collective impact through her work with the Pottstown Area Regional Recreation Committee, a multi-municipal partnership uniting eight municipalities across the Pottstown region. This collaborative body brings together local governments to improve parks, trails, open spaces, and recreational programming through shared planning, shared funding, and shared project leadership. Participating municipalities jointly contribute resources to match funding from the Pottstown Regional Community Foundation, supporting dedicated staff who coordinate regional park planning, trail development, park upgrades, public art, and access to nature-based recreation. The partnership spans Montgomery, Chester, and Berks counties, demonstrating how regional collaboration can overcome municipal boundaries to better serve residents. By aligning priorities and pooling resources, the committee strengthens local capacity and expands access to healthy, inclusive recreational opportunities. Patricia’s work reflects the importance of sustained partnership in addressing quality-of-life challenges that no single municipality could tackle alone. The PARRC model highlights how cooperative governance and shared investment can enhance community infrastructure, promote well-being, and foster long-term regional resilience.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Green Building United - Green Building United exemplifies innovative cross-sector partnership by uniting community, government, nonprofit, and industry stakeholders to advance an equitable transition to a healthy, climate-resilient built environment in the Greater Philadelphia region. Recognizing that buildings directly affect health, household finances, and community stability, GBU works to ensure that sustainability and resilience are accessible across income levels and neighborhoods. Central to this work is the Housing Equity, Repair, and Electrification for Climate Justice coalition, which brings together community organizations, home repair providers, workforce development partners, and climate justice advocates to promote safe, affordable, and fossil-free housing. Through partnerships with philanthropic institutions, including the William Penn Foundation, GBU provides grants, resources, and technical assistance to strengthen green building efforts across the nonprofit sector. Simultaneously, GBU engages industry professionals through education and technical programming that encourages innovation and collaboration. By intentionally bridging sectors that often operate separately, Green Building United demonstrates how shared leadership and coordinated action can address environmental and social challenges while delivering lasting benefits to communities throughout Greater Philadelphia.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Philly Homes 4 Youth Coalition - The Philly Homes 4 Youth Coalition demonstrates the power of partnership by bringing together nearly 250 youth with lived experience of homelessness, service providers, and advocates to address youth homelessness through coordinated action and policy change. This cross-sector coalition works collaboratively with city and state systems to elevate youth voices and drive solutions grounded in lived experience. Through collective advocacy, the coalition played a key role in securing a major federal rental assistance grant for homeless youth, as well as funding for providers serving students experiencing homelessness. Beyond funding, Philly Homes 4 Youth has developed comprehensive recommendations for multiple public systems, including the Office of Homeless Services, Departments of Human Services and Behavioral Health, the Philadelphia Housing Authority, and the School District. These efforts reflect shared leadership across youth, nonprofit, and public-sector partners working toward a common goal. By aligning advocacy, data, and lived experience, the coalition strengthens the social fabric and improves coordinated responses to a complex and growing challenge. Philly Homes 4 Youth exemplifies how inclusive, collaborative partnerships can drive systemic change and advance the common good.

6.Please VOTE for ONE of the following WORKFORCE and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Innovative models leading to earning a living wage, economic freedom, and community economic development.(Required.)

Bucks County Finalist: WOW - Workforce on Wheels, Bucks County Workforce and Economic Development - Workforce on Wheels (WOW) is an innovative workforce development model that expands access to employment services by bringing PA CareerLink® directly into communities across Bucks County. Designed as a mobile CareerLink®, WOW delivers the same comprehensive services offered at physical locations, removing transportation and access barriers that can prevent individuals from pursuing employment and career advancement. Through on-site support, WOW provides resume writing assistance, interview skills training, job search guidance, and recruitment events, meeting residents where they are in Upper, Middle, and Lower Bucks County. This flexible, community-centered approach ensures that job seekers can access critical resources regardless of location, schedule, or circumstance. In addition to serving individuals, WOW strengthens local economic development by partnering with community organizations and participating in local events, connecting residents to a wide range of employment and support services while amplifying awareness of county resources. By serving as both a workforce hub and an outreach platform, WOW creates equitable pathways to skill-building, sustainable employment, and long-term economic stability. Its mobile model reflects a practical and scalable solution to workforce access challenges, demonstrating how innovation and collaboration can support individuals in achieving living-wage employment and contribute to a stronger, more inclusive local economy.

Chester County Finalist: Javonna Wylie, Chester County OIC - Javonna Wylie is advancing workforce and economic development through her leadership as CEO of Chester County OIC, where she designs research-based upskilling programs that expand opportunity for underemployed and unemployed residents. Her work focuses on strengthening local talent pipelines by aligning training programs with labor market needs and equipping individuals with in-demand skills that lead to sustainable employment. Under Javonna’s leadership, Chester County OIC plays a critical role in connecting community members to pathways that support long-term economic stability and career advancement. By grounding programs in data and workforce research, she ensures that participants gain relevant skills that increase employability and earning potential. Javonna’s approach recognizes that economic freedom requires more than short-term job placement; it requires intentional investment in people’s capabilities and access to meaningful work. Through her commitment to workforce innovation and local economic development, she is helping individuals move toward living-wage employment while strengthening the region’s workforce infrastructure. Her leadership reflects a clear focus on equity, opportunity, and practical solutions that empower individuals to build better futures for themselves and their families.

Delaware County Finalist: Delaware County Literacy Council - The Delaware County Literacy Council is creating transformative economic mobility through an integrated workforce development model that serves some of the county’s most excluded populations, including low-income adults, immigrants, and single parents. By offering completely free literacy education, GED preparation, English language instruction, employment coaching, digital literacy, and wraparound support services, Delco Literacy addresses the full range of barriers that prevent individuals from achieving economic stability. Each year, 582 adults participate, with measurable outcomes including significant literacy improvement, high GED pass rates, advancement in English proficiency, and increased access to employer-provided health insurance. Through digital literacy training, participants gain critical workplace technology skills, dramatically improving job readiness. A key partnership with PA CareerLink creates direct pathways to family-sustaining employment, ensuring education translates into real economic opportunity. Delco Literacy’s model is sustainable through performance-based funding and has demonstrated impact over 48 years, serving more than 20,000 adults. By addressing education, employment, and access simultaneously, the organization delivers true economic mobility rather than isolated training, strengthening both individual prosperity and the broader workforce.

Montgomery County Finalist: Denise Williams, Be Rezilient - Denise Williams is advancing workforce and economic development through Be ReZilient’s focus on building resilient individuals, businesses, and communities. Addressing intergenerational disparities, Be ReZilient launched FORCE, an initiative designed to create equitable financial pathways, cultivate future leaders, and support minority-owned businesses. Through collaboration with community partners, the organization is renovating space to establish a dynamic hub for entrepreneurship, creativity, wellness, and community connection. This physical and programmatic infrastructure supports local economic activity while fostering inclusive opportunities for growth. In addition, Be ReZilient operates the Resilience and Development Internship program, which equips students with professional skills alongside strategies for cultivating resilience, preparing them for sustainable employment and leadership. Denise’s work recognizes that economic freedom requires both technical skills and personal capacity to navigate challenges. By combining entrepreneurship support, workforce preparation, and resilience-building, Be ReZilient creates pathways that strengthen individual earning potential and community wealth. Her leadership demonstrates how intentional investment in people and place can generate long-term economic opportunity and community stability.

Philadelphia County Finalist: The Welcoming Center - The Welcoming Center is redefining workforce and economic development by creating inclusive pathways to opportunity for immigrants across Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. Through integrated programming in workforce development, entrepreneurship, language access, leadership, wellness, and civic engagement, The Welcoming Center transforms systemic barriers into engines of economic mobility. Its International Professionals Program enables immigrants to fully utilize their skills and credentials, while entrepreneurship supports help individuals start and grow businesses that contribute to the local economy. By pairing economic opportunity with leadership development and wellness initiatives, including the Immigrant Leadership Institute and Intercultural Wellness Program, The Welcoming Center addresses both financial stability and long-term community integration. This holistic approach recognizes that economic freedom is deeply connected to belonging, mental well-being, and civic participation. The organization’s model is both scalable and replicable, demonstrating how immigrant inclusion strengthens workforce pipelines and drives community wealth generation. Through its comprehensive and innovative framework, The Welcoming Center empowers individuals to achieve sustainable employment while fostering a more vibrant, equitable regional economy.

Philadelphia County Finalist: LaTrista Webb, The Elevation Project - LaTrista Webb is redefining workforce and economic development through her leadership as Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Elevation Project, an organization dedicated to economic freedom for justice-impacted individuals and historically marginalized communities. She has built an innovative ecosystem that integrates workforce development, entrepreneurship, leadership training, and healing-centered support to create real pathways to prosperity. Through initiatives such as the Transformative Business Center, participants gain hands-on business education, mentorship, access to capital, and opportunities for sustainable employment and business ownership. LaTrista’s model challenges traditional reentry systems by prioritizing dignity, agency, and economic ownership rather than short-term stabilization. Her approach combines trauma-informed practices with practical skill-building, resulting in strong engagement, retention, and measurable outcomes, including reduced recidivism and thriving participant-led businesses. Beyond individual impact, LaTrista has cultivated partnerships with businesses, financial institutions, and policymakers to expand opportunity and reinvest resources into communities. Her leadership demonstrates how workforce innovation rooted in justice and empowerment can build lasting economic mobility for individuals, families, and neighborhoods.

7.Please VOTE for ONE of the following EDUCATION ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Innovative ideas to develop new ways to advance education in novel and meaningful directions.(Required.)

Bucks County Finalist: Bucks County Intermediate Unit - Bucks County Intermediate Unit is redefining education pathways through the launch of Pennsylvania’s first registered apprenticeship program for PK–12 Special Education teachers. Introduced in 2025, this groundbreaking, debt-free model directly addresses the growing shortage of Special Education educators while expanding access to the teaching profession. Designed as a “grow your own” pipeline, the program enables current Bucks IU staff to earn Pennsylvania Special Education certification while working full-time, receiving a salary, and gaining hands-on classroom experience at no cost to participants. Apprentices receive structured mentorship, paid on-the-job training, and fully funded college coursework, with wage increases tied to academic milestones. Participants earn an associate degree through Bucks County Community College and complete a bachelor’s degree and certification through Gwynedd Mercy University in approximately three and a half years. By investing in existing staff and removing financial barriers, Bucks IU strengthens workforce retention and builds long-term capacity within special education. This innovative apprenticeship model ensures students with disabilities have consistent access to highly qualified educators and offers a scalable solution for districts facing critical staffing challenges across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Chester County Finalist: Children First - Children First is advancing education innovation through bold advocacy that reshapes how public education is funded and delivered across Pennsylvania. Representing the interests of approximately 1.75 million public school students, the organization works to ensure every child has access to a high-quality K–12 education, regardless of zip code, race, or income. Following a landmark Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that declared the state’s school funding system unconstitutional, Children First played a leading role in pushing for equitable reform. Working alongside coalition partners, the organization helped secure a fair funding formula, increased Basic Education and Career and Technical Education funding, and implemented Level Up, a targeted funding mechanism prioritizing the state’s 100 most underfunded school districts. These policy innovations directly expand access to safe facilities, skilled educators, and relevant instructional materials. Children First continues to advocate for a long-term funding solution that centers historically marginalized students and communities. Through sustained policy leadership and coalition-building, Children First is reimagining how education systems can be structured to deliver equity, opportunity, and student success at scale.

Delaware County Finalist: Shana Pistilli, Rubato School of Music - Shana Pistilli is reimagining music education through her leadership of the Rubato School of Music, an inclusive learning environment designed to support students of all abilities and backgrounds. Through innovative teaching methods and a deep commitment to accessibility, Shana has created a space where creativity, neurodiversity, and individual growth are celebrated. Rubato School of Music goes beyond traditional instruction, fostering confidence, self-expression, and a sense of belonging through the universal language of music. Shana’s approach recognizes that meaningful education must adapt to the learner, not the other way around, ensuring students feel seen, supported, and empowered. By prioritizing inclusion and community alongside artistic development, her work expands access to quality arts education and nurtures lifelong learning. The impact of Rubato extends far beyond musical skill-building, helping students develop resilience, voice, and personal agency. Shana Pistilli’s leadership exemplifies education entrepreneurship that blends creativity with compassion, opening new pathways for students to discover their potential and thrive through innovative, inclusive learning experiences.

Montgomery County Finalist: Dr. Rahmanda S. Campbell, The Reading Clinic, Inc. and The Reading Clinic Cyber Academy - Dr. Rahmanda S. Campbell is advancing education innovation through The Reading Clinic, Inc. and The Reading Clinic Cyber Academy, which provide individualized, intensive reading intervention and enrichment from kindergarten through adulthood. With more than 30 years of experience serving at-risk youth and individuals with learning differences, Dr. Campbell has built a model that supports children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities. Her work combines advocacy, intervention, and tailored instruction to enhance literacy outcomes and unlock academic potential. By offering both in-person and online solutions, The Reading Clinic expands access to specialized support for learners who are often underserved by traditional education systems. Dr. Campbell’s leadership reflects a commitment to continuous improvement and systemic change, ensuring educational approaches evolve to meet diverse learning needs. Her work empowers learners to build foundational reading skills essential for long-term academic success, workforce readiness, and lifelong learning. Through innovation, persistence, and advocacy, Dr. Campbell continues to champion equitable access to effective education for learners across ages and abilities.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Jonathan Edwards, FamFrequency Productions - Jonathan Edwards is transforming arts education through FamFrequency Productions, an innovative initiative that creates clear career pathways for aspiring music producers and creative talent. Recognizing that many young artists view their skills as hobbies rather than viable professions, FamFrequency reimagines arts education by combining technical training in music production and audio engineering with entrepreneurial education in financial management and business development. This model treats creative careers with the same rigor and structure as traditional professions, addressing systemic barriers that limit access and advancement. FamFrequency directly confronts representation gaps within the music industry by empowering student-artists, particularly women and people of color, with both creative mastery and economic literacy. By reframing arts education as a pathway to economic mobility and intergenerational wealth, Jonathan’s work expands access to meaningful, sustainable careers in the creative economy. FamFrequency Productions exemplifies education entrepreneurship that aligns innovation, inclusion, and workforce readiness, preparing the next generation of artists to thrive creatively and professionally.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Jalen Belgrave, PhillyBOLT - Jalen Belgrave is reimagining youth education through his leadership as Program and Learning Evaluation Manager at PhillyBOLT, where he has helped scale empowering, student-centered programs for Philadelphia public high school students. PhillyBOLT partners with four public high schools to deliver a curriculum focused on community organizing, public speaking, and understanding local political, social, and economic systems. Jalen has strengthened this model by building internal systems that support growth while preserving the deep, relational approach that defines the program. His commitment to responsiveness and inclusion ensures curriculum reflects students’ lived experiences, reinforcing relevance and engagement. Beyond formal instruction, Jalen serves as a mentor and trusted presence, building lasting relationships that extend beyond the classroom. Former participants returning as interns reflect the program’s impact and the culture of leadership he helps cultivate. By centering youth voice, adaptability, and peer learning, Jalen’s work advances innovative, inclusive education that prepares young people to lead, teach others, and actively shape their communities.

8.Please VOTE for ONE of the following COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Innovative service models leading to emotional, psychological, and social well-being.(Required.)

Bucks County Finalist: Meri Luarasi Gaumond, Dementia Care at Home LLC - Meri Luarasi Gaumond is transforming community behavioral health through an innovative, home-based approach to dementia care that centers emotional well-being, dignity, and connection. As founder of Dementia Care at Home™, she created a model that integrates neuroscience, clinical practice, and compassionate coaching to support both caregivers and their loved ones. Her work recognizes that dementia affects entire families and that caregiver burnout is a significant behavioral health challenge. Through education, community programs, and tools such as DementiaBuddy™, Meri equips families with practical strategies that reduce stress, improve safety, and strengthen relationships within the home. By meeting families where they are, her model promotes emotional resilience and psychological stability while preserving a sense of normalcy and belonging. Rather than relying solely on institutional care, Dementia Care at Home empowers families to maintain supportive environments that foster connection and trust. Meri’s approach reframes dementia care as a holistic behavioral health practice that values mental health, compassion, and community support. Through this work, she is redefining how families experience dementia, improving quality of life, and creating healthier, more resilient caregiving households.

Chester County Finalist: Mary Hewes, Young Moms - Mary Hewes has expanded the behavioral health impact of Young Moms by responding thoughtfully to the evolving needs of the community it serves. As Executive Director, she recognized a significant shift in the organization’s client base, with approximately 70 percent now comprised of young mothers from Guatemala, many facing high-risk situations rooted in trauma and poverty. In response, Young Moms increased its focus on mental health and overall well-being, integrating emotional and psychological support more deeply into its programming. The organization introduced a new goal-setting framework based on SAMHSA’s Eight Dimensions of Wellness, ensuring a holistic approach that addresses mental health alongside economic stability. Additionally, Young Moms expanded the number of life skills workshops dedicated specifically to mental health, providing participants with tools to manage stress, build resilience, and navigate complex life challenges. Mary’s leadership reflects a trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach that adapts services to meet real-time community needs. By strengthening emotional and psychological supports for young mothers, Young Moms is fostering healthier families and more resilient communities, demonstrating how behavioral health integration can enhance long-term well-being and stability.

Delaware County Finalist: Christine Jackson, Hope For Hallie - Christine Jackson is advancing community behavioral health through her leadership of Hope For Hallie, a nonprofit she co-founded following the tragic loss of her daughter to suicide. Guided by lived experience and compassion, Christine has built an organization dedicated to reducing stigma, expanding access to mental health support, and strengthening community connections for young people. Under her leadership, Hope For Hallie has funded thousands of therapy sessions, ensuring that youth can access professional mental health care when they need it most. The organization also focuses on awareness and prevention, building networks that empower young people to seek help and support one another. Christine’s advocacy has reached schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and the Pennsylvania Capitol, broadening conversations about mental health and emotional well-being across diverse settings. By connecting youth with therapy providers and fostering supportive community environments, Hope For Hallie addresses both the psychological and social dimensions of mental health. Christine’s work exemplifies trauma-informed leadership that transforms personal loss into collective healing, strengthening resilience and promoting emotional well-being across communities.

Montgomery County Finalist: Honorable Andrea Duffy, Drug Addiction Resource Alliance - Honorable Andrea Duffy has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in community behavioral health through the creation of the Drug Addiction Resource Alliance in Montgomery County. As a judge, she recognized that traditional court responses often failed to address the underlying realities of addiction and instead asked what would truly help individuals and families in crisis. In 2016, she founded DARA to bridge the gap between the justice system, treatment providers, and the community, creating a compassionate, trauma-informed alternative rooted in connection and care. Through DARA, roughly one thousand individuals have been placed into inpatient and outpatient treatment, while families receive guidance on recovery housing, insurance navigation, transportation, and overdose prevention. DARA’s community forums further provide education, honesty, and hope during moments of chaos and fear. Andrea’s leadership has brought together judges, law enforcement, advocates, providers, families, and survivors into a coordinated network of support. By centering dignity, accountability, and healing, her work demonstrates how behavioral health innovation can save lives, strengthen families, and create more humane and effective community systems.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Women Against Abuse - Women Against Abuse is a leader in community behavioral health, addressing the emotional, psychological, and social impacts of intimate partner violence across Philadelphia through a comprehensive, trauma-informed model of care. As the city’s leading domestic violence service provider and advocacy organization, Women Against Abuse integrates emergency shelter, transitional and long-term housing, counseling, legal advocacy, and education to support survivor healing and independence. Last year alone, more than 12,000 individuals accessed the organization’s services, receiving compassionate, nonjudgmental support at every step of their journey. Beyond direct services, Women Against Abuse strengthens community response through partnerships with first responders, enhancing crisis intervention for the city’s tens of thousands of domestic violence-related 911 calls each year. Their prevention-focused education programs, including middle school initiatives, empower young people to build healthy, violence-free relationships and break cycles of abuse. By addressing trauma at individual, family, and systems levels, Women Against Abuse fosters safety, resilience, and long-term well-being. Their work exemplifies how integrated behavioral health approaches can promote healing, equity, and stronger communities.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Mckayla Warwick, Collective Climb - McKayla Warwick is advancing community behavioral health through Collective Climb’s restorative justice model, which centers healing, accountability, and sustainable behavior change. In partnership with the District Attorney’s Office, Collective Climb offers an alternative to the traditional family court system, placing participants in restorative practices that prioritize reconciliation and personal growth over punishment. This approach recognizes that punitive systems often fail to address the root causes behind harmful behaviors. Through facilitated restorative processes, participants are supported in shifting mindsets, repairing relationships, and developing healthier patterns and habits. Collective Climb’s work integrates emotional reflection, psychological insight, and community accountability, creating space for meaningful transformation outside of adversarial systems. By focusing on healing rather than punishment, the program strengthens individual well-being while reducing long-term harm within families and communities. McKayla’s leadership reflects a trauma-informed understanding of justice that promotes resilience, responsibility, and connection. Collective Climb demonstrates how restorative practices can serve as powerful community behavioral health interventions that foster lasting change and healthier social outcomes.

9.Please VOTE for ONE of the following HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Innovative service models leading to stable/permanent housing.(Required.)

Bucks County Finalist: Josh Fields, The Next Step program - Josh Fields is advancing housing stability and community development through The Next Step Program, an initiative founded in 2015 to support young adults with disabilities as they transition from high school into adulthood. The Next Step Program bridges a critical gap by providing person-centered services that promote independence, confidence, and long-term stability. As a qualified Medicaid Waiver Provider under Pennsylvania’s Office of Developmental Programs, the organization delivers state-approved supports designed to help individuals pursue meaningful, engaged lives within their communities. By working collaboratively with families, businesses, and local organizations, The Next Step Program strengthens inclusive community ecosystems where individuals with disabilities are not only housed and supported, but valued as contributors and leaders. Housing stability is embedded within a broader framework of independence and life skills, recognizing that secure living environments are foundational to health, autonomy, and economic participation. Josh’s leadership reflects a commitment to redefining potential and removing structural barriers, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have access to stable living arrangements and the supports necessary to thrive. Through this work, The Next Step Program is helping build communities where opportunity, dignity, and belonging are accessible to all.

Chester County Finalist: Home of the Sparrow - Home of the Sparrow is advancing housing stability and community development through a compassionate, collaborative model that supports women facing homelessness in securing safe housing and achieving long-term independence. Grounded in the belief that stable housing is the foundation for health, dignity, and economic mobility, the organization partners closely with women to build resiliency, confidence, and essential life skills that support lasting stability. Home of the Sparrow’s approach is guided by core principles of compassion, excellence, and respect, ensuring that every woman is met with warmth and treated as an active participant in her own journey. Through strong collaboration with networks of organizations, donors, funders, and the women they serve, Home of the Sparrow leverages resources to create meaningful opportunities for growth and positive change. Their adaptable funding and operational model allows the organization to respond to evolving community needs while continuously incorporating new ideas to maximize impact. Forward-thinking by design, Home of the Sparrow challenges the status quo by focusing not only on immediate housing needs but also on long-term outcomes that support independence and self-determination. By fostering a dynamic community rooted in shared purpose, Home of the Sparrow strengthens neighborhoods while creating pathways for women to fulfill their ambitions and aspirations through stable, affordable housing.

Delaware County Finalist: PANO (Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations) - The Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations plays a critical role in advancing housing and community development by strengthening the nonprofit infrastructure that delivers essential services across the Commonwealth. As Pennsylvania’s only membership organization supporting nonprofits sector-wide, PANO amplifies the collective voice of thousands of organizations working in housing, health, human services, and community development. Through strategic research, public policy initiatives, and coordinated advocacy, PANO shapes equitable policies that directly impact housing access, affordability, and community stability. Its work defends the regulatory and funding frameworks that enable nonprofits to provide housing-related services, particularly for marginalized communities. In parallel, PANO builds sector capacity through training, best practices, and its Standards for Excellence accreditation, ensuring organizations are equipped to deliver high-quality, accountable services. By pairing systems-level advocacy with organizational strengthening, PANO advances housing stability as part of a broader commitment to justice, dignity, and economic mobility. Their leadership reflects how policy innovation and nonprofit capacity building are essential foundations for sustainable community development.

Montgomery County Finalist: Mike Hays, Montco 30% - Mike Hays is advancing equitable housing through the Montco 30% Project, a community-driven effort focused on housing affordability in Montgomery County. As a longtime county resident and renter, Mike brings lived experience and deep local knowledge to his advocacy. In his role as Director and Co-Founder, he has worked to elevate housing affordability as a central community issue, organizing a county-wide affordability forum and building momentum for workforce housing solutions. Under his leadership, Montco 30% rallied support for the Cornerstone at Pennbrook Station initiative, a 60-unit workforce housing development designed for essential workers such as teachers, nurses, and EMTs earning moderate incomes. Mike’s work bridges grassroots organizing and policy engagement, informed by his professional experience as a district office director for a state representative. His advocacy centers on the belief that those who serve the community should be able to live within it. Through sustained engagement and coalition-building, Mike is helping advance housing models that strengthen neighborhoods, support local workers, and promote long-term community stability.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Dr. Shirlana Dash, SELF Inc. - Dr. Shirlana Dash is redefining housing and community development through her leadership at SELF Inc., where dignity-centered care is paired with scalable housing solutions. Under her direction, SELF served more than 2,000 individuals in FY25 and placed 755 people into permanent housing, demonstrating a strong commitment to long-term stability rather than short-term intervention. SELF’s approach integrates housing with essential supports, including meals, workforce programs, youth services, and wellness initiatives, recognizing that stable housing is deeply connected to overall well-being and economic mobility. By delivering nearly half a million meals while expanding supportive programs, SELF addresses both immediate needs and sustainable pathways out of homelessness. Dr. Dash’s leadership emphasizes community resilience, ensuring individuals are supported as they transition into stable housing and reconnect with their neighborhoods. Her work reflects a holistic and scalable model that not only transforms individual lives but strengthens communities across Philadelphia through coordinated, compassionate, and effective housing solutions.

Philadelphia County Finalist: The Landlord Gateway Program, Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services - The Landlord Gateway Program is an innovative housing stabilization model launched by the Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services to strengthen collaboration between landlords and the city. By centralizing guidance, training, and support from 16 city departments into a single, accessible hub, the program removes long-standing barriers that have discouraged small and mid-sized landlords from participating in the rental market. The Landlord Gateway Program simplifies licensing, compliance, and rental assistance navigation, enabling faster problem-solving and clearer communication. This streamlined, one-stop approach helps tenants stay current on rent while encouraging more landlords to offer and maintain housing units. By improving landlord engagement and expanding rental supply, the program advances homelessness prevention and housing stability at scale. The Landlord Gateway Program exemplifies pragmatic innovation in housing policy, demonstrating how cross-agency coordination can improve systems, strengthen neighborhoods, and create more equitable access to stable, affordable housing across Philadelphia.

10.Please VOTE for ONE of the following HEALTHY COMMUNITIES AND ENVIRONMENT: Innovative models integrating Health Care with the Social Determinants of Health and/or models addressing fresh and clean air, drinking water, and sustainable land.(Required.)

Bucks County Finalist: Tim Hays, Conservatuion Voters - Tim Hays is advancing healthier communities by integrating policy leadership, environmental stewardship, and public service to address the social determinants of health across Pennsylvania. As State Policy Manager at Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, Tim has championed people-centered energy policy, including a public call to protect LIHEAP funding for vulnerable households, recognizing that access to affordable energy is fundamental to health, safety, and stability. His commitment extends beyond policy into direct community action. Through a full harvest season with the Carversville Farm Foundation, Tim helped bring in 700,000 pounds of donated produce, strengthening food access and nutrition for communities in need. As the only Democrat elected to Dublin Borough Council and selected by a Republican majority to serve as council president, Tim demonstrates the power of bridge-building in local governance. His leadership shows how environmental policy, food systems, and civic collaboration can intersect to improve quality of life. By addressing energy affordability, food security, and inclusive governance, Tim Hays exemplifies an integrated approach to building healthier, more resilient communities.

Chester County Finalist: Christy Marshall-Silva, Aidan's Heart Foundation - Christy Marshall-Silva is redefining community health and safety by empowering youth as leaders in life-saving education through Aidan’s Heart Foundation. While most CPR training models focus on adults, the Foundation turns this approach upside down by equipping young people to teach, lead, and respond in emergencies. Over the past decade, its youth-led Hands-Only CPR program has trained more than 12,000 middle school students, with high school peer educators modeling the power of youth teaching youth. In 2025, Aidan’s Heart Foundation expanded this model by certifying nine young adults as CPR instructors, providing professional credentials and leadership opportunities while strengthening community health capacity. The organization’s Pulse Protectors pilot program further extends this impact, training hundreds of young athletes and campers in CPR and AED use through peer-to-peer education. By building confidence, skill, and readiness among youth, Aidan’s Heart Foundation addresses a critical determinant of health: timely response to cardiac emergencies. Christy’s leadership transforms knowledge into action, creating safer, more prepared communities and fostering a generation of young leaders committed to saving lives.

Delaware County Finalist: Teachers's Teammates - Teachers’ Teammates is strengthening healthy communities by addressing educational equity as a core social determinant of long-term health and well-being. Founded by Delaware County educators and residents, the organization responds to the financial strain placed on teachers and families by providing free school supplies to K–12 students and educators in schools where at least 65 percent of students qualify for the National School Lunch Program. By ensuring classrooms have the essential tools needed for learning, Teachers’ Teammates supports student engagement, academic success, and stable learning environments while easing the financial burden on teachers. The organization also demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability and resilience through its partnership with PennPAC, exploring diversified revenue models to ensure long-term impact. Through research, financial analysis, and stakeholder engagement, Teachers’ Teammates is building organizational strength while remaining mission-driven. Their work reflects an understanding that healthy communities are built through strong educational systems supported by collective responsibility. By removing barriers to learning and investing in sustainability, Teachers’ Teammates contributes to a more equitable and resilient future for students, educators, and communities across Delaware County.

Montgomery County Finalist: MontCo Anti-Hunger Network - MontCo Anti-Hunger Network strengthens Montgomery County's food safety net through coordinated systems-level leadership rather than operating in isolation. By convening food pantries and meal providers in coalition, they build collective capacity through resource sharing, best practices education, and policy advocacy. Their Innovation Prototypes program exemplifies this collaborative approach—in 2023, nine member pantries tested creative service improvements reaching hundreds of residents, generating valuable lessons being scaled in 2025. This model recognizes that eliminating food insecurity requires more than distributing food; it demands investment in infrastructure, experimentation with guest-centered approaches, and unified advocacy for systemic change. By strengthening the entire network rather than individual sites, MAHN creates sustainable solutions ensuring all Montgomery County residents access nutritious food with dignity.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Sarah Marley, Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) - Sarah Marley advances environmental health and community well-being through her leadership with Friends of the Wissahickon, a century-old organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing Wissahickon Valley Park. As an official partner of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Friends of the Wissahickon mobilizes thousands of volunteers to care for one of the region’s most vital green spaces. Under Sarah’s leadership, the organization has improved 50 miles of trails, introduced dozens of native plant species, and overseen permanent infrastructure enhancements that support ecological health and public access. Volunteers play a critical role in maintaining trails, clearing debris, removing litter, and engaging park visitors, ensuring the park remains safe and welcoming. Friends of the Wissahickon also connects environmental stewardship with education through youth programs that now reach more than 4,000 students, offering nature education and field experiences that foster lifelong appreciation for green spaces. By preserving natural environments, expanding access to outdoor recreation, and investing in environmental education, Sarah’s work promotes cleaner air, physical activity, and mental well-being, strengthening community health across generations.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Dr. Alina Mateo, University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) - Dr. Alina Mateo is advancing health equity by integrating clinical care with community-based strategies to address disparities in breast cancer detection and outcomes. As head of Penn Medicine’s Integrated Breast Program, she oversees initiatives including the Healthy Women’s Program and Mobile Mammography Screening Services, which bring education, awareness, and screening directly into communities where breast cancer is historically detected late and treatment options are limited. As Philadelphia’s only native Spanish-speaking breast surgeon, Dr. Mateo is a trusted and culturally responsive voice within the city’s Latin American community. Her leadership has helped strengthen outreach to both African American and Latin American women, addressing barriers related to language, access, and trust in healthcare systems. By meeting patients where they are and integrating prevention with community engagement, Dr. Mateo’s work directly addresses social determinants of health and improves early detection outcomes. Her approach exemplifies how healthcare systems can partner with communities to promote equitable access, build trust, and create healthier futures for populations that have long faced disproportionate health risks.

11.Please VOTE for ONE of the following HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS AND NUTRITION. Innovative providing affordable, accessible, and healthy food.(Required.)

Bucks County Finalist: Elizabeth Zbinden, Bucks County Opportunity Council - Elizabeth Zbinden is advancing healthy food access across Bucks County through her leadership as Food Program Manager at the Bucks County Opportunity Council, where she oversees innovative, equitable, and large-scale food distribution efforts. She organizes and runs the Fresh Connect Program, which deploys large box trucks to operate mobile farmers markets three times a week across Upper, Central, and Southern Bucks County, bringing affordable and nutritious food directly into communities. Through Fresh Connect and the BCOC Community Help Center, in partnership with United Way of Bucks County, Elizabeth and her team distributed more than 673,000 pounds of food last year and served nearly 39,000 people through mobile markets and pantry services. During the SNAP shortage caused by a government shutdown, Elizabeth mobilized community-wide food drives to meet increased need, ensuring continued access for households facing sudden gaps in assistance. She also secured funding for an additional food truck, expanding distribution capacity, and strengthened partnerships with Philabundance and Greater Harvest to increase access to fresh, healthy produce. In addition, Elizabeth supports a Senior Food Box program that delivers food directly to older adults unable to pick up groceries themselves, distributing 4,838 boxes in the past year alone. Her work reflects a comprehensive, community-centered approach to eliminating food insecurity while promoting health, dignity, and sustainability.

Chester County Finalist: Mary Fuller, Phoenixville Area Community Services - Mary Fuller has transformed Phoenixville Area Community Services into a cornerstone of healthy food access through strong leadership and community-centered innovation. As Executive Director, she guided PACS through the challenges of COVID-19, the purchase of a new warehouse, and an evolving federal landscape, while significantly expanding its reach and capacity. PACS operates a market-style food center that preserves client dignity through a choice model, empowering individuals and families to select foods that meet their needs and preferences. Today, the organization supports approximately 12,000 market visits each month and provides monthly grocery orders to more than 300 families, with demand continuing to grow. Mary also led a major infrastructure expansion that increased staff and volunteer capacity, improved food storage and processing, and strengthened donation management. Under her leadership, PACS has become a trusted and vital resource for affordable, nutritious food in the region. Mary’s work exemplifies how thoughtful systems-building and respect for client choice can eliminate food insecurity while strengthening community health and resilience.

Delaware County Finalist: Evan Ehlers, Sharing Excess - Evan Ehlers is redefining food rescue and redistribution at scale through his leadership of Sharing Excess. In 2024, the organization set a record by rescuing 60 million pounds of food and is on track to reach 100 million pounds in 2025, demonstrating both operational excellence and exponential impact. Sharing Excess has built innovative partnerships with major food distribution hubs, including a landmark agreement with the Hunts Point Produce Market, the largest wholesale produce market in the United States, to collect and redistribute unsold food. The organization has also expanded its presence at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, increasing access to fresh produce for communities facing food insecurity. A high-profile collaboration with YouTube creator Mr. Beast helped rescue and distribute more than 10 million additional pounds of food, amplifying awareness alongside impact. By combining logistics innovation, large-scale partnerships, and public engagement, Evan’s leadership advances sustainability while ensuring nutritious food reaches people who need it most, reducing waste and strengthening food access across communities.

Montgomery County Finalist: Max Kulp and Roberta Consentino, The Best Route - Max Kulp and Roberta Consentino are expanding equitable food access through My Mobile Market, a mobile farmers market operated by The Best Route. Designed to reach neighborhoods in and around Pottstown with limited access to fresh produce, My Mobile Market brings seasonal fruits and vegetables directly to residents where they live and gather. Produce is offered at reasonable price points, and the market accepts FMNP checks as well as SNAP/EBT, making healthy food more affordable and accessible. The program partners with trusted community organizations, including the TriCounty Active Adult Center, Pottstown Hospital, the YWCA, and local apartment complexes, reducing transportation and mobility barriers. In addition to mobile distribution, Max and Roberta operate a one-acre farm at Tomorrow’s Homestead, complete with washing, processing, and cold-storage facilities. This integrated farm-to-market model strengthens local food systems, supports sustainability, and ensures consistent access to nutritious food. Their work demonstrates how innovation and community partnership can close food access gaps while promoting health and dignity.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Nourish to Flourish Philly - Nourish to Flourish Philly is reimagining healthy food access for children and families in West Philadelphia through an innovative, behaviorally informed approach. The organization redesigns school cafeterias using behavioral economics principles to encourage healthier food choices, making nutritious options more appealing and accessible to students. Complementing this work, Nourish to Flourish Philly offers hands-on cooking lessons that help children build familiarity and confidence with healthy ingredients. To further reduce access barriers, the organization provides free, market-style produce distributions at school dismissal, bringing fresh food directly to families at a convenient time and allowing them to choose items that fit their household needs. These programs have increased healthy food selection and consumption among students, boosted engagement with new ingredients, and expanded reliable produce access for hundreds of families living in food deserts. By combining innovation, choice, and convenience, Nourish to Flourish Philly advances equitable, sustainable food access while strengthening community health and lifelong healthy eating habits.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Eli Moraru, The Community Grocer - Eli Moraru is advancing healthy food access through an innovative model that bridges affordability, convenience, and nutrition at The Community Grocer. Under his leadership, the organization enables Philadelphians to purchase fresh meal kits using SNAP and other benefits, then exchange those kits on-site for hot, healthy, prepared meals. This federally compliant approach removes common barriers faced by working individuals who lack time, cooking skills, or adequate kitchen equipment. By meeting people where they are, The Community Grocer ensures nutritious meals remain accessible to those who need them most. The organization is also revitalizing a formerly derelict building at 60th and Walton in West Philadelphia, which will soon open as its first physical location, further strengthening neighborhood infrastructure. Eli’s leadership and innovation have earned national and local recognition, including Forbes 30 Under 30 and Philadelphia Business Journal’s Inno Under 25 honors. His work demonstrates how creative, dignity-centered solutions can expand access to healthy food while promoting sustainability and community revitalization.

12.Please VOTE for ONE of the following YOUNG PEOPLE: Innovative Models in Engaging Young People and/or Young People Social Innovators creating change and impact.(Required.)

Bucks County Finalist: Sarah Todd, Well Rooted - Sarah Todd is redefining youth engagement and care through her leadership as co-founder of Well Rooted, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting foster-connected youth and families. Drawing from her lived experience as a foster parent, Sarah recognized critical gaps in support for young people aging out of care and families navigating reunification. In response, she helped launch Well Rooted to provide emergency food assistance, housing stability, mentorship, and long-term support rooted in dignity and consistency. Under her leadership, Well Rooted has become a lifeline for historically under-resourced women and youth, offering stability during moments when systems often fall short. Sarah’s work centers young people not as passive recipients of care, but as individuals deserving of long-term investment, trust, and opportunity. By building responsive, relationship-driven supports, she strengthens pathways to independence and resilience for foster-connected youth. Her leadership reflects a youth-centered model that blends compassion with action, creating sustainable change in how communities show up for young people during some of the most critical transitions of their lives.

Chester County Finalist: Makaila Davis, Angels Protection Inc. - Makaila Davis is empowering young people and families through trauma-informed, youth-centered leadership as Founder and Chairwoman of Angels Protection Inc. Her work focuses on supporting young mothers, adolescents, and underserved communities through mental health education, harm-reduction outreach, and maternal mental health advocacy. Angels Protection Inc. provides critical resources, including Narcan and test strips, while actively working to reduce stigma and expand access to care. Makaila’s approach recognizes young people as leaders in their own healing and equips them with knowledge, tools, and support to navigate complex challenges. By centering education and advocacy, her work empowers youth to make informed decisions about their health and well-being while strengthening community resilience. Makaila’s leadership demonstrates how youth-focused models can drive meaningful behavioral health outcomes by meeting people where they are and addressing root causes rather than symptoms. Through her vision and action, Angels Protection Inc. elevates youth voices, builds trust, and creates pathways toward emotional, psychological, and social well-being for populations too often overlooked.

Delaware County Finalist: Geordie Brackin, 1Up Coaching - Geordie Brackin is expanding economic opportunity for young people through 1Up Coaching, an initiative focused on supporting first-generation college students as they transition from graduation into the workforce. Recognizing that many students lack access to career guidance, salary transparency, and negotiation skills, Geordie created a model that provides personalized career counseling tailored to this critical life stage. 1Up Coaching helps young adults understand available career pathways, identify appropriate opportunities, and advocate for fair compensation, ensuring they secure better jobs and higher starting salaries. This work empowers young people to enter the workforce with confidence, knowledge, and agency, addressing inequities that often persist long after graduation. By demystifying hiring processes and compensation norms, Geordie equips first-generation students with tools typically available only through informal networks. His approach reframes youth engagement as economic empowerment, enabling young adults to build strong foundations for long-term financial stability. Through 1Up Coaching, Geordie Brackin is helping young people transform education into opportunity and redefine what equitable workforce entry can look like.

Montgomery County Finalist: Ken Hamilton, GreenAllies - Ken Hamilton is cultivating youth-led environmental leadership through GreenAllies, a student-driven organization that empowers young people to become changemakers in sustainability and community stewardship. GreenAllies operates the Althouse Arboretum, a model site for sustainability education and community programming in Upper Pottsgrove Township. Youth leadership is embedded throughout the organization’s work, from organizing a Youth Empowerment Day that brought together nearly 80 high school students and 21 local nonprofits, to designing and running a Summer Nature Camp where students created curriculum, managed volunteers, and engaged directly with families. GreenAllies also operates a student-run organic farm that produced more than 2,500 pounds of food in the past growing season, with youth leading production and community distribution efforts. Through these hands-on experiences, young people gain leadership skills, environmental knowledge, and civic confidence. Ken’s leadership ensures youth are not participants on the sidelines, but decision-makers shaping programs and outcomes. His work demonstrates how youth-led models can drive environmental sustainability while building lifelong leaders rooted in service and community impact.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Rock To The Future - Rock to the Future is transforming youth engagement in Philadelphia by empowering young people through free, student-driven music education rooted in equity and access. Serving more than a thousand students annually, the organization offers a continuum of programs designed to meet youth where they are, removing barriers through no-audition entry, provided instruments, transportation, and meals. Through after-school programs, mobile music classes, community-based initiatives, and trauma-informed justice programs, Rock to the Future integrates creative expression with academic support, mentorship, and life skills development. Youth gain confidence, teamwork, communication skills, and pathways to long-term stability while using music as a vehicle for healing and self-expression. The organization’s justice-focused programming extends this impact to youth involved in incarceration or intervention systems, fostering resilience and re-entry support. Rock to the Future also demonstrates strong organizational leadership through continuous improvement and strategic planning to sustain and expand its reach. By centering youth voice, creativity, and holistic support, Rock to the Future exemplifies how arts-based models can empower young people as leaders and changemakers in their communities.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Ken Hamilton, GreenAllies - Young Involved Philadelphia is redefining youth civic engagement by equipping young Philadelphians with the skills, networks, and opportunities to serve and lead. As a volunteer-run organization celebrating its 25th year, YIP creates accessible pathways for emerging leaders to engage meaningfully in civic life. In 2025, the organization strengthened its impact by revitalizing the State of Young Philadelphia program, expanding governance and documentation systems, and producing a new cohort of leaders through its Board Prep program. These initiatives provide young people with practical experience, leadership training, and real opportunities to influence nonprofit and civic spaces. YIP’s model emphasizes civic joy alongside responsibility, fostering a culture where young adults see themselves as capable stewards of their communities. By investing in skill-building and leadership cultivation, Young Involved Philadelphia ensures youth are not only engaged today but prepared to shape Philadelphia’s future. Their work demonstrates how intentional, youth-led civic infrastructure can strengthen democratic participation and community leadership for generations to come.

13.Please VOTE for ONE of the following ADVOCACY and POLICY CHAMPION: Protecting Rights and Advancing Justice.(Required.)

Bucks County Finalist: Josh Blakesley, The Welcome Project PA (WPPA) - Josh Blakesley is a steady and principled advocate at the forefront of protecting the rights and dignity of immigrant, LGBTQ+, and interfaith communities through his leadership of The Welcome Project PA. Working at the critical intersection of these identities, Josh guides WPPA in addressing complex civil and human rights challenges at a time of heightened vulnerability for many communities. Under his leadership, WPPA merged with Immigrant Rights Action, strengthening its capacity to serve immigrants and expand its advocacy reach. Despite facing significant challenges, including the nationwide loss of Medicaid funding, WPPA continues to provide essential community support programs while advancing advocacy efforts that amplify marginalized voices. Josh’s leadership is marked by integrity, care, and consistency, qualities that have helped sustain trust among partners, supporters, and community members. In addition to his organizational leadership, Josh has contributed to broader policy and systems conversations through his service on the HealthSpark Foundation’s POWER Council. His quiet, anchoring presence inspires collaboration and reinforces the importance of principled advocacy rooted in compassion and justice. Through sustained leadership and coalition-building, Josh Blakesley exemplifies how values-driven advocacy can defend rights and strengthen communities in challenging times.

Chester County Finalist: Rachel Rutter, Project Libertad - Rachel Rutter is a powerful advocate for immigrant justice, transforming the lives of young immigrants through direct legal representation and systems-aware advocacy. She founded Project Libertad to address the urgent need for legal assistance among children and youth who are new to the United States and navigating an increasingly complex immigration system. As the organization’s sole attorney, Rachel carries an immense caseload while responding to a growing number of emergency cases amid the current immigration crisis. Her work is critical, as data consistently shows that children without legal representation face overwhelming odds of deportation, while those with attorneys are far more likely to secure asylum or other legal protections. Recognizing that legal advocacy alone is not enough, Project Libertad also provides holistic support through dedicated case managers who assist with food access, housing stability, and mental health needs. This integrated model ensures that young people are supported not only in court, but in their daily lives as they seek safety and stability. Through tireless advocacy and direct action, Rachel Rutter is defending the rights of vulnerable youth and advancing justice within a system where legal representation can mean the difference between protection and deportation.

Delaware County Finalist: Leigh Anne McKelvey, CASA Youth Advocates, Inc. of Delaware & Chester Counties, PA - Leigh Anne McKelvey advances justice for children who have experienced abuse or neglect through her leadership at CASA Youth Advocates of Delaware & Chester Counties. CASA ensures that the voices of children involved in the child welfare system are heard and considered in decisions that shape their futures. Through trained volunteer advocates, the organization elevates marginalized perspectives and promotes policies that prioritize safety, stability, and dignity for every child. CASA’s advocacy extends beyond individual cases to systems-level change through the Voices for Children Coalition, which brings together cross-sector leaders to strengthen prevention-focused supports for children and families in Delaware County. This coalition advocates for the policies, resources, and services necessary to address root causes and improve long-term outcomes. By amplifying youth voices and working collaboratively across systems, CASA helps transform how institutions respond to vulnerable children. Leigh Anne’s leadership reflects a deep commitment to equity and justice, ensuring that children who are often unheard have informed advocates standing beside them. Her work demonstrates how policy advocacy, volunteer engagement, and coalition-building can reshape systems to better protect children’s rights and create pathways to opportunity.

Montgomery County Finalist: Bill Henning, Discover Lansdale - Bill Henning is a longstanding champion of civic advocacy and community-centered policy leadership, strengthening Lansdale’s social fabric through decades of service and engagement. As president of Discover Lansdale, Bill leads a nonprofit that collaborates closely with residents, businesses, and local government to create inclusive public spaces and community-building events. Through initiatives such as Founders Day, First Fridays, Oktoberfest, and the Mardi Gras Parade, he has helped foster belonging, economic vitality, and civic pride. Beyond event leadership, Bill has played a key role in advocating for the preservation and adaptive reuse of historic assets, including his leadership as chair of the Freight House committee, where he has worked to secure grants and build public support for transforming a historic structure into a community resource. His service on Lansdale Borough Council and involvement with the Lansdale Historical Society reflect his commitment to participatory governance and shared stewardship. Bill’s advocacy brings together business, history, nonprofit leadership, and municipal systems in service of the common good. His approach demonstrates how community-based leadership and civic engagement can influence local policy, protect shared spaces, and advance dignity and opportunity for all residents.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Melany P. Nelson, Northwest Victim Services - Melany P. Nelson is a relentless advocate for victims’ rights, advancing justice through direct service, policy engagement, and public education. As Executive Director of Northwest Victim Services, Melany combines hands-on advocacy with organizational leadership, ensuring survivors of crime are treated with dignity and respect. Over more than a decade, she has filed over 1,300 victim compensation claims, securing nearly $2 million for individuals affected by crime across multiple Philadelphia police districts. Melany has also played a critical role in identifying and challenging policy gaps, particularly for carjacking victims whose out-of-pocket expenses are not covered under existing compensation programs. Through years of persistent advocacy, she uncovered city codes related to these cases and engaged city leadership to address failures in implementation, with the goal of eliminating financial burdens placed on victims. In addition to her policy work, Melany has amplified marginalized voices through her television program, The POWER of ONE, which educates the public on violence prevention, available resources, and survivor experiences. Her advocacy reflects a deep belief in individual dignity and systemic accountability, driving change for victims who are too often overlooked.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Kingsessing Heals Community Resiliency Center - Kingsessing Heals Community Resiliency Center is a powerful advocacy and healing initiative formed in response to the mass shooting in Philadelphia’s Kingsessing neighborhood in July 2023. Created to meet the urgent and long-term needs of survivors, families, first responders, and community members, Kingsessing Heals provides a safe, trauma-informed space grounded in dignity, compassion, and resilience. The organization offers comprehensive support, including mental health counseling, grief support, assistance with victim compensation and legal aid, coordination with healthcare providers, and help navigating medical and insurance systems. Beyond direct services, Kingsessing Heals advocates for survivor-centered systems that recognize trauma, promote healing, and support long-term stability. Founded with support from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Victims of Crime, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, and the Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia, the organization is also taking proactive steps toward sustainability and independence beyond its initial funding period. Through governance planning and strategic partnerships, Kingsessing Heals is strengthening its capacity to advocate for justice, accountability, and community resilience. Their work demonstrates how advocacy rooted in lived experience can transform systems and restore dignity after collective trauma.

14.Please VOTE for ONE of the following THOUGHT LEADERSHIP and CAPACITY BUIDLING: Strengthening the Social Sector.(Required.)

Bucks County Finalist: Nina Wall, Woods System of Care - Nina Wall is strengthening the social sector through a career defined by thought leadership, systems innovation, and capacity building in autism services. As Autism Fellow for the Woods System of Care, she brings decades of experience and deep expertise in policy, practice, and systems design to advance more coordinated and responsive models of care. Previously, as the founding Director of Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, Nina led groundbreaking, first-of-their-kind statewide initiatives that reshaped how autistic individuals and their families access services and established new standards for program design, cross-system coordination, and advocacy across the Commonwealth. In her current role, she is leveraging this expertise to elevate Woods System of Care’s mission by building an integrated system of supports for individuals with autism, their families, caregivers, and communities across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She has forged strategic partnerships, strengthened autism-specific assessments and interventions, and positioned the organization to deliver timely, high-quality services in response to growing needs. Nina’s leadership exemplifies how knowledge, experience, and vision can expand organizational capacity, empower professionals, and drive sustainable systems change.

Chester County Finalist: Square Roots Collective - Square Roots Collective is advancing thought leadership and capacity building through an innovative model that integrates local business development, nonprofit support, and systemic change in Southern Chester County. As a social impact venture, Square Roots takes a unique approach to strengthening communities by building, operating, and investing in local businesses and nonprofits as complementary forces for good. Their work reframes economic development as a tool for social impact, recognizing that locally rooted businesses can generate professional opportunities, foster inclusion, and direct profits toward nonprofit initiatives and regional improvements. Operating as a 501(c)(4) organization, Square Roots is structured to promote the common good and general welfare, reinvesting all profits back into community-driven causes. Through this model, Square Roots builds local capacity by equipping organizations and entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and strategic support needed to address complex challenges collaboratively. Their work demonstrates how cross-sector learning and intentional investment can strengthen organizational effectiveness while cultivating a shared vision for regional well-being. By positioning both businesses and nonprofits as partners in systemic change, Square Roots Collective expands the social sector’s understanding of how economic and social strategies can work together to create sustainable impact.

Delaware County Finalist: Stephanie Lim Capello, Peter's Place - Stephanie Lim Capello has strengthened the social sector through thoughtful leadership and organizational capacity building as Executive Director of Peter’s Place, a nonprofit serving grieving children and families. Since assuming leadership, Stephanie has focused on building a strong operational and financial foundation that allows the organization to sustainably deliver its mission. In just two and a half years, she increased overall revenue by 20 percent, reflecting disciplined strategy, effective stewardship, and long-term planning. Her leadership combines strategic vision with compassion, ensuring that organizational growth directly supports high-quality services for vulnerable populations. By strengthening internal systems and financial resilience, Stephanie has positioned Peter’s Place to respond more effectively to community needs while fostering broader understanding of grief and loss. Her approach demonstrates how leadership cultivation and organizational development are essential components of sector strength. Through her work, Stephanie exemplifies how investing in nonprofit capacity not only improves service delivery, but also creates a more resilient and impactful social sector equipped to support families through some of life’s most difficult experiences.

Montgomery County Finalist: Yaniv Aronson, Destination Conshohocken; Conshohocken Mayor - Yaniv Aronson demonstrates thought leadership and capacity building through a governance and community engagement approach that prioritizes transparency, inclusion, and shared responsibility. As Mayor of Conshohocken, Yaniv treats engagement as a daily practice, fostering trust through consistent communication, open access, and direct connection with residents. His leadership emphasizes knowledge-sharing and civic participation, ensuring community members understand decision-making processes and feel empowered to contribute. Yaniv also helped create Destination Conshohocken, a nonprofit that has become a platform for volunteerism, arts and cultural programming, and charitable initiatives. Through events such as the Conshohocken Arts Festival and Car Show, the organization builds community capacity by bringing residents, artists, and local organizations together around shared experiences. Yaniv’s work extends to inclusion, environmental stewardship, and public health, collaborating with advisory councils and commissions to translate policy into everyday practice. By cultivating leadership across sectors and encouraging collective ownership of community well-being, Yaniv Aronson strengthens civic infrastructure and models how local leadership can build knowledge, trust, and long-term capacity within the social sector.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Ayana Bradshaw, AccessMatters - Ayana Bradshaw strengthens the social sector through her leadership at AccessMatters, a Philadelphia-based organization ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health services for more than 100,000 youth and adults across Pennsylvania. AccessMatters operates as a backbone organization, building capacity across the sector by convening and managing large interdisciplinary provider networks while also delivering direct services to vulnerable and underserved communities. This dual approach allows the organization to translate policy, funding, and system-level strategy into real-world impact. In response to significant threats to federal funding, AccessMatters led an aggressive and successful advocacy effort to protect and restore resources critical to health services in the region. Through this work, Ayana has demonstrated how strategic leadership, coalition-building, and policy expertise can safeguard essential services while strengthening the infrastructure that supports them. Her leadership reflects a commitment to equipping providers, advocates, and communities with the tools and coordination necessary to sustain access to care. AccessMatters’ model exemplifies how capacity building and thought leadership can empower the social sector to respond effectively to political, financial, and public health challenges.

Philadelphia County Finalist: Vonee Hill, Linked Family Services and Hillcrest Development and Consulting - Vonee Hill is strengthening the social sector through her leadership at Linked Family Services and Hillcrest Development and Consulting, where she supports organizations and teams through training, leadership development, and strategic capacity-building. Working across systems, Vonee focuses on helping professionals improve practice, build intentional structures, and develop tools that support more effective and sustainable service delivery. Her work emphasizes growth at both the individual and organizational levels, equipping teams with the skills and frameworks needed to navigate complexity and change. Through partnerships with diverse organizations, she contributes to shifting how work is done across the sector, fostering greater alignment, clarity, and purpose. Vonee’s approach reflects an understanding that strong systems are built through continuous learning and reflective practice. By investing in people, leadership, and organizational development, she expands the sector’s ability to respond to community needs with intention and impact. Her work exemplifies how thoughtful capacity-building and leadership cultivation can strengthen the social sector as a whole and support lasting systemic change.

2026 Greater Philadelphia Innovation Awards Public Voting

2026 Public Voting: Greater Philadelphia Social Innovations Awards