2025 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 Morton Bard Award recognizes the contributions of an individual in an “allied” profession such as law enforcement, prosecution, medicine, mental health, the clergy, etc.
- 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 Margery Fry Award recognizes outstanding service as a victim assistance practitioner.
The Edith Surgan Victim Activist Award is given to victims or survivors who demonstrate a life of commitment after their victimization to promote rights and services that help change the lives of victims. - The Exceptional Military Victim Advocate Award recognizes outstanding contributions by a military victim advocate (active duty, civilian, or contractor) to service members and dependents.
Congratulations to our 2025 Awardees!
Nominated by their peers, the following advocates are being celebrated for the critical work they do to support victims/survivors of crime.
Morton Bard
Award
Denise Riccobon, RN, SANE-A, GFN-C
SANE Program, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center
“Emergency room nurses see people every day that are victims of violence. Their stories and the stories of friends and family are not mine to tell. However, when I see these people victimized, in pain, ashamed, angry, and sometimes just not well, I know that we as a community can do better.
My “why” is for the community I live in. I am working towards a community where I am unemployed because advocacy, prevention, medical care, and justice have done such a great job that predators, assailants, and monsters that victimize others are afraid of the strength and togetherness of our community. That community I dream of may not happen in my lifetime, but I am willing to bring as much to the table as I can to reach that goal.”
Tadini Bacigalupi Jr.
Award
Assault Survivors Advocacy Program
University of Northern Colorado
“Advocacy in ASAP means going above and beyond to support survivors who trust us with their stories, ensuring they have the resources and care they need to thrive as students at the University of Northern Colorado. My students show up every day because they are committed to creating a culture of safety and support—one where gender-based violence has no place. I often say I wish I were unemployed; in an ideal world, this work wouldn’t be necessary. Advocacy is not just responding to harm—it’s working to shift campus culture, fostering a community that acknowledges the profound impact of gender-based violence, and ensuring survivors never have to walk their path alone. We are here for them, every step of the way.”
Marlene Young Leadership Award
Anne Seymour
National Mass Violence Center
‘For over 40 years, I advocate to amplify the voices of those who are too often silenced;
To help survivors make sense of the senseless;
To empower those whose power and control was stolen from them;
And to provide hope to anyone who feels hopeless.
It has been a privilege and honor to be a servant leader in our amazing field!”
Margery Fry
Award
Kellie Tyndall
Ventura County District Attorney’s Office
“Advocacy is what drives me every day. It’s the hand that reaches out in the dark, offering hope in moments of panic and despair. It’s the act of standing beside someone when they feel lost and powerless, reminding them they’re not alone. To be that hand—to extend my voice, my strength, and my support—is the most human connection I can offer. And that is why I get out of bed every morning.”
Edith Surgan Victim Activist Award
Sarah Ann Masse
Hire Survivors
“As a queer, disabled, actor, writer, filmmaker, survivor, and human being I don’t think I know how to exist in the world without engaging in advocacy. I believe that we can use our own experiences – positive and negative – to help other people feel seen and understood and that we can reach people who do not share our lived experiences through our stories and our creativity. We heal, grow, and change in community with others. The entire reason I founded Hire Survivors is because in the aftermath of coming forward about being abused by Harvey Weinstein, I learned that what happened to me – and the retaliation that followed – was neither rare nor being addressed adequately. To me, advocacy must rely on IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Safety) and include not just education, but tangible support for historically marginalized communities. This is what we believe in at Hire Survivors and this is what will create lasting change.”
Exceptional Military Advocate Award
Dana Rozelle (Posthumous)
Air Force Family Advocacy
“Being a Victim Advocate was in Dana’s soul; she loved being an advocate and was still trying to help and support FAP up until she lost her battle with cancer in 2024. Those of us who knew her well know that when she was no longer able to come into work she still wanted to remain on-call so that she could be available for anyone needing help.
Dana was highly respected and loved by many Advocates in the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Space Force, and across the civilian communities. One of Dana’s final projects was working with the AF FAP HQ to create the DAVA workbook for the Air Force DAVAs, this helped provide consistent training for the DAVA team across the globe.
The world not only lost a beautiful soul, but it also lost a fierce advocate. We know she has left this world a better place.”
2025 Honorees
We are excited to recognize the following advocates for their exceptional service to the field
Edith Surgan Victim Activist
Carol Thomas
Dr. Vanessa Dunn Guyton
Jan Blaser-Upchurch
Jennifer Thompson
Lauren Weingarten
Priscilla Bordayo
Sabrina L. Hayes
Sara Smith-Paez
Tristen Reineccius
Exceptional Military Victim Advocate
Andrea Ellis
Auston Everetts
Beth K Lacy
Brianna Mitchell
Brittney Boykin
Christy McMillan
Dayna Schmitt
Desirae Rondot
Diane West
Earnest Kirchner
Faith Webster
Glenn A. Kolin
Hiba Flayyih
Izabela A Villalonga
Jordan Burdette-Navarro
Karene Robertson
Kathy Pacheco
Lakesh Rivera
Lena Corrado
Linda A. Mendoza
Lisa Wright
LS1 Brianna Cacioppo
Mariyah Mack
Meghan Roche
Neisha Louhar
Paola Duran
Qundia Ragland
SFC Jonelle Morrow
Shannon Zellner
Sharee Bush
Travis Wilkin
Victoria Amoroso
Tadini Bacigalupi Jr.
Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center, University of Missouri – Columbia
Campus Sexual and Relationship Violence Center
Trauma Intervention Program NW
Cincinnati Police Department Victims Assistance Liaison Unit
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Victim Services
Women Helping Women
Williamsburg/James City County Victim/Witness Assistance Program
FIU Victim Empowerment Program
DeKalb County PD Special Victims Unit
Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Program
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Marlene Young Leadership
Adam Gendreau
Andrew Kaehler
Annamae Willis
Carla Williams
Julia Fuller-Wilson
Kate Richey
Katy carpenter
Kim Smith
Leanne Graham
Monica Guggenberger
Salley Stepp
Tameka Walker
Margery Fry
Hope Hunter
Stephanie Piper
Zina Jiad
Morton Bard Allied Professional
1LT Bethany Blankenship
Amanda Konnight
Detective Daniel Jensen
Helen Smith
Jan Hart
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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