2026 NOVA Board Awards
Recognizing excellence in victim advocacy.
Each year, the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA) Board of Directors presents awards to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals and programs in the victims’ movement. Award nominations are open for the following categories:
- The Tadini Bacigalupi Jr. Award is given to a distinguished victim service program.
- The Marlene Young Leadership Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the victims’ movement by a program manager, state administrator, or related professional.
- The George M. Donnelly Crisis Responder of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding crisis responder in the field.
Congratulations to our 2026 Awardees!
Nominated by their peers, the following advocates are being celebrated for the critical work they do to support victims/survivors of crime.
George M. Donnelly
Award
Ane Vecchione
Los Angeles Mayor’s Crisis Response Team
“I advocate to ensure surviving victims are always met with dignity, compassion, and empathy at the scene of a traumatic incident. Every child and adult deserves support, resources, and a community that stands beside them as they take their first step towards healing after the sudden loss of a loved one.”
Tadini Bacigalupi Jr.
Award
Resiliency & Justice Center
“Victim advocacy creates space and opportunity for true healing for survivors, something our traditional systems of justice cannot do. To me, true justice isn’t found in a courtroom verdict alone, but includes the profound healing that happens when a person is empowered to reclaim their life. Victim advocacy is my way of finding justice for victims and their families, righting wrongs, and setting things right again.”
Tennille Pereira, Esq.
Marlene Young Leadership Award
DeAnna Swope
Activating Change and Diamond Speaks LLC
‘To me, advocacy means speaking our truth without shame and creating space for others to do the same. It is about empowering people to raise their voices for themselves and for those who feel unseen, unheard, or unsure that their voice matters. Advocacy can look different for each person, but at its heart, it is about standing together, lifting each other up, and building a community where everyone’s voice has value and power.“
2026 Honorees
We are excited to recognize the following advocates for their exceptional service to the field
Individual Submissions
Amanda Moore
Ariel Bustamante
Belgicia Cowart-Howell
Caitlin Simpson
Carli Rohner (she/her)
Carly Daniel
Casey Ballinger
Chris McGuire
Cristine E. Patty
Danielle Perkins
Davina Caldwell
DeAnna Tidwell
Deliesse Hitt
Demetrius Rayford
Diane Watson
Dr. Matthew Hammett
Dr. Rita Davis-Cannom
Ebony Green
Evett S. Ellis
Gerry Griffith
Haley gray
Isabella Constante
Jasmine Wilson
Jenae McCall
Jennifer Henkle
Jordan Kelso
Jose Alfaro
Josie Campos
Kathleen Cady, Director, Bureau of Victim Services
Katie Boller Gosewisch
Kristian Hall
Kriti Mohan
Laura Abbott
Lenora Claire
Linda Thom
George Hunter
Lisa M. Wright
Margaux Sorenson
Maricarmen Garza
Molly Harris
Mona Murakami Cho
Neisha Louhar
Patricia Lerma
Ray Epstein
Robin Baysmore
Rose Preston
Scharnelle Hamlin
Shelby Thompson
Shoron Collington
Stacy Halvorsen
Stephanie Whitehead
Taylor Jones
Tracy Marshall
TSgt Shawn Gallagher
Yolonda Frazee
Yomarys Stokes
Dr. Mary Wyandt-Hiebert
Kimberly Salerno
Sierra Elliott
Donna Bartos
Program Submissions
NevadaCARES University of Nevada, Reno
Hurlburt Field Sexual Assault Prevent & Response Team 1 Special Operations Wing Sexual Assault Prevent & Response Team
Restorative Pathways Restorative Pathways
U.S. Army V Corps Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program U.S. Army V Corps Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program
Resiliency & Justice Center Resiliency & Justice Center
VOICES Against Sexual Assault Healing VOICES Program
Victim Services Center of Montgomery County Inc Victim Services Center of Montgomery County Inc
Fort Rucker SHARP Office Army Aviation Center of Excellence (AVCOE)
N/A United States Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program
Jemma Riedel-Johnson YWCA Spokane
Jessica Bosch D’Youville University
Keir Chapple Georgia Office of Victim Services
Kristen Patterson New Morning Youth & Family Services and the Ashby House
Learn more about NOVA's Board Awards
Each year, NOVA sends out a call for nominations via our email list. Be sure to sign up for NOVA’s news and updates to nominate an advocate for the 2026 Board Awards.
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