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AL!VE's Impact Awards honor exceptional leaders who elevate the field of volunteer engagement through innovation, dedication, and impact. Each year, we recognize professionals who go above and beyond in their roles—whether emerging leaders just beginning their journey or seasoned experts setting the standard. Meet our past awardees and celebrate the individuals who are shaping the future of volunteerism.
Sidney Enss, CVA
Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging
Hermitage, TN
Sidney Enss, CVA, serves at the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging in Hermitage, TN, where she champions inclusive volunteer engagement. With a passion for accessibility and community service, Sidney applies best practices to support meaningful volunteer opportunities. As a Certified Volunteer Administrator, she advocates for professional growth and strives to strengthen programs that empower individuals across Tennessee.
Anthony Richardson, CVA
County of San Diego
San Diego, CA
Anthony Richardson, CVA, serves the County of San Diego with a commitment to excellence in volunteer engagement. He brings a strategic approach to building impactful volunteer programs that meet community needs. As a Certified Volunteer Administrator, Anthony fosters collaboration, supports professional development, and champions the vital role of volunteers in enhancing public services across San Diego County.
Rob Toonkel
Arnot Ogden Medical Center
Elmira, NY
Rob Toonkel serves at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, NY, where he leads volunteer engagement with compassion and professionalism. With a strong background in healthcare volunteerism, Rob creates meaningful roles that enhance patient and visitor experiences. He is dedicated to supporting volunteer leaders, advancing the field, and promoting the value of service in hospital and community settings.
Reagan Maldonado
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Amarillo, TX
Reagan Maldonado serves at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Amarillo, TX, where she leads volunteer engagement efforts with dedication and heart. Passionate about supporting veterans, Reagan creates impactful opportunities for community members to give back. She fosters strong volunteer relationships and promotes service as a powerful way to honor and uplift those who have served our country.
Molly Patterson
Elk Grove Police Department
Sacramento, CA
Molly Patterson leads volunteer engagement at the Elk Grove Police Department in Sacramento, CA, fostering strong connections between community members and law enforcement. She develops meaningful volunteer roles that enhance public safety and community trust. Committed to service and collaboration, Molly empowers volunteers to make a positive impact while strengthening the department’s outreach and engagement efforts.
Elizabeth Rachchh, CVA
Alzheimer's Association
Columbus, GA
Elizabeth Rachchh, CVA, serves at the Alzheimer’s Association in Columbus, GA, where she leads volunteer engagement with empathy and purpose. Passionate about supporting individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s, she creates impactful volunteer roles that advance the organization’s mission. As a Certified Volunteer Administrator, Elizabeth champions excellence, community connection, and the power of service in driving meaningful change.
Allyson Drinnon, CVA
Habitat for Humanity International
Americus, GA
In 23 years at Habitat for Humanity International, Allyson has supported global volunteer engagement and built a network of 1.4 million volunteers annually. She led AmeriCorps programs, launched the Volunteer Resource Center, and serves as a grant reviewer and Engage Journal contributor. A CVA and CNP, she champions volunteer management as a vital, professionalized field.
Mary Lynn Perry
City of Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
As Chair of the DOVIA Sacramento Board, Mary Lynn leads volunteer board and committee efforts to deliver training, mentoring, resources, forums, book talks, and annual awards for volunteer managers. She has secured thousands in funding through Giving Tuesday, Big Day of Giving, and sponsorships. Mary Lynn also champions the field through board service and professional presentations.
Muriam Nafees
Gwinnett County Government
Lawrenceville, GA
Since taking on the role of Coordinator for Volunteer Gwinnett, Muriam has helped facilitate over 22,000 volunteer events and projects utilizing more than 428,000 volunteers who devoted greater than 5,343,000 hours, generating an overall impact of $143 million in economic value for the county. She has presented at a variety of conferences and events and been recognized by several local, state-wide, and national entities.
Keita Cole, CVA
Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability
Hermitage, TN
Keita is Director of the Senior Nutrition Program, supporting volunteer recruitment, training, and recognition across Tennessee. She advocates for senior nutrition through NCOA, NADTC, ACL, and NARC. A frequent speaker at conferences and webinars, Keita also champions professional development in the field, encouraging colleagues to pursue the Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA) credential.
Olivia Osborne, CVA
City of Plano
Plano, TX
As Litter Coordinator for Plano’s Sustainability & Environmental Education Division, Olivia engages 3,000–4,000 volunteers annually in citywide cleanups. She innovates programs to maximize participation and create meaningful, rewarding experiences. A sustainability advocate, Olivia presents regularly and supports organizations like Keep Texas Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful, promoting long-term behavior change and environmental stewardship through volunteer engagement.
Sarah Sukhram, CVA
Pasco County Animal Shelter
Land O' Lakes, FL
Sarah champions volunteer engagement by asking, “How can volunteers help?” She conducts needs assessments to create impactful roles and supports volunteer administrators locally and nationally. Sarah founded a peer group for county agencies, assists nearby counties, co-facilitates AL!VE’s CVA study group, and actively promotes the Certified Volunteer Administrator credential to elevate the profession.
Paula Allen, CVA
Satellite Healthcare
San Jose, CA
I’ve advocated for improved record-keeping by promoting database use over outdated methods, helping staff and volunteers see engagement as a strategic, professional function. In today’s evolving volunteer landscape, clarity and structure matter. My work with AL!VE projects like the Presenter Bootcamp, DEAI Committee, and Resource Page aims to elevate the profession and empower leaders to drive meaningful change.
Monica Jasso, CVA
Girl Scouts of the Desert SW
El Paso, TX
As a lifelong learner, I’ve found deep fulfillment growing professionally in volunteer administration. From attending courses at Austin Community College to participating in Girl Scouts’ summits and webinars from AL!VE, CCVA, and others, I seize every learning opportunity. These experiences have strengthened my skills in strategy, budgeting, conflict management, and recognition—fueling my passion for continuous growth and impact.
Susan Sanow, CVA
Volunteer Fairfax
Fairfax, VA
Each year, I host a goal-setting webinar to help volunteer managers identify and develop key skills. I’ve also created popular, “outside-the-box” trainings on topics like imposter syndrome, managing up, and hidden biases. These sessions empower leaders to embrace the challenges of our profession and grow with confidence. I'm proud to support their development and elevate our field.
Angela Williamson, CVA
Blood Bank of Delmarva
Delaware, Maryland & Virginia
Earning my CVA gave me confidence in best practices and a strong foundation for planning and implementation. I stay current through reading, webinars, and networking. I introduced the AL!VE conference to DAVA in 2017, now a yearly tradition. Conferences and connections fuel growth, spark ideas, and strengthen our field. Ongoing professional development is essential for success in volunteer leadership.
Carol Emmert, CVA
Conner Prairie Museum, Inc.
Fishers, IN
I strive to elevate volunteer administration by modeling professionalism and collaboration. My Volunteer Coordinator and I work as a team to support and showcase our volunteers' impact. Hosting peers onsite, I foster dialogue on shared challenges. As a CIAVA board member, I mentor emerging leaders and promote balancing department needs with broader organizational goals for stronger volunteer engagement.
Jared Peer
Knoxville-Knox County Action Agency
Knoxville, TN
In 3.5 years as a volunteer administrator, I’ve prioritized professional development through webinars, conferences like TCVSL and TFA, and ongoing learning. I attend every session—even when I speak—to grow in the field. I believe volunteer leadership demands continuous growth; it’s a dynamic, evolving journey that requires curiosity, adaptability, and lifelong learning to stay effective and relevant.
Lisa Romish
Nemours Children's Health
Wilmington, DE
One of the greatest benefits of this field is the supportive community of volunteer administrators. Their willingness to share and collaborate is invaluable. When I faced a volunteer challenge, a colleague’s guidance was incredibly helpful. Learning from one another strengthens our programs and helps us grow as leaders, creating a more effective and connected profession.
Jovita Woodrich
Volunteer Florida
Tallahassee, FL
Volunteer engagement is a dynamic, essential field. I’m committed to lifelong learning to strengthen its credibility, support peers, and elevate service as a strategic function. Through professional development, I gain insights, build relationships, and refine how I connect with community. These experiences challenge my thinking and help me better support colleagues and create meaningful, impactful volunteer opportunities.
Marcia Hale, CVA
Hillsboro Public Library
Hillsboro, OR
Marcia, Volunteer Engagement Leader at Hillsboro Public Library, created innovative, mission-driven opportunities during the pandemic, including remote projects and teen-led summer reading support. She fosters strategic volunteer integration through staff training, communication, and support. Marcia contributes to citywide volunteer initiatives and serves in leadership roles with NOVAA and NAVPLG, championing professional development and collaboration in volunteer engagement.
Kathryn Hampton, CVA
Idaho Parks & Recreation
Boise, ID
Kathryn leads volunteer engagement across Idaho’s 30 state parks, contributing to 1.5 million volunteer hours since 2000. She fosters strong mission alignment, retention, and collaboration. A former AL!VE board member and past president of SWIDOVS, Kathryn has expanded outreach, built partnerships, mentored peers, and presented widely—demonstrating exceptional leadership and impact in volunteer engagement statewide and beyond.
Carrie Hart, CVA
Bayhealth Hospital
Dover, DE
Carrie, Manager of Volunteer Services at Bayhealth, led morale and engagement efforts during the pandemic. Volunteers made 14,000 masks and supported many fundraisers under her leadership. She organized monthly drives to aid local groups and serves on the Delaware Association of Volunteer Administrators board and Downtown Dover Partnership. Carrie champions inclusivity and strengthens volunteer leadership regionally.
Morgan Green-Griffin, CVA
City of Coppell-Cozby Library
Coppell, TX
Morgan champions teen volunteers at Coppell Library, creating the first Teen Volunteers report to highlight their community impact. She advocates for volunteer roles with city leadership and continuously builds her skills, holding a Master’s in Library Science focused on HR. Active in local groups, she’s served with the Texas Volunteer Management Conference and earned her Certificate of Volunteer Administration.
Brittany McGarry, CVA
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Denver, CO
Brittany prioritizes quality and longevity in volunteer engagement, boosting impact. During COVID-19, she involved volunteers in committees and connected them to national MS opportunities. A three-year DOVIA Colorado board member, Brittany led CCOV’s successful first virtual conference with 250 attendees. She’s passionate about networking and inspiring others to grow in the volunteer engagement profession.
Tim Suda, CVA
American Red Cross
Atlanta, GA
Tim, Vice President of GAVA, advances volunteer leadership statewide. At the American Red Cross Georgia, he leads disaster volunteer engagement, boosting participation from 42% to 94%. His team supports over 1,000 volunteers contributing 30,000+ hours annually. Tim enhances GAVA’s outreach, training, and communications while managing disaster response and cultivating strong volunteer leaders across Georgia.
Exemplary Leaders (7+ years)
Emerging Leaders (3-7 years)
Exemplary Leaders (7+ years)
Emerging Leaders (3-7 years)