Community Champion Spotlight Global Volunteer Recognition Program Fundraiser
Celebrate volunteers. Support their impact.
The Community Champion Spotlight is a recognition and fundraising initiative created to highlight volunteers who are making a difference in their communities.
Nominate a volunteer, share their story, and invite others to support their impact through Community Support Votes.
Funds raised support the Global Volunteer Recognition Program Annual Volunteer Award Gala and our mission of celebrating volunteers worldwide.
Support Community Champions
The Community Champion Spotlight celebrates individuals making a positive difference through service, leadership, and community impact. Nominations are free, and support votes help raise funds for Global Volunteer Recognition Program events, recognition opportunities, and volunteer celebration efforts.
Vote or Support a Nominee
Get Involved
Nominate a Volunteer
Free and open to the public. Self nominations welcome.
👉 Submit a Nomination
Support a Nominee
Each $5 donation equals one Community Support Vote.
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Attend the Gala
June 12, 2026 | Gaylord of the Rockies, Denver
👉 Purchase Gala Tickets
How It Works
Nominate
Submit a volunteer who is making a positive impact.
Share
Nominees are featured and can share their story with their community.
Support
Each $5 donation equals one support vote.
Celebrate
All nominees are recognized, with additional recognition at the gala.
Voting closes June 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Important Information
The Community Champion Spotlight is a fundraiser supporting the Annual Volunteer Award Gala.
• Voting is a donation and does NOT include admission
• A ticket is required for every person attending the gala
• Nominees must purchase a ticket by April 30 to be recognized in person
• Gala date: June 12, 2026
Community Champion Spotlight Nominees
Click on a volunteer below to read their story and support their impact.
Amanda Braverman-Brohn
USA
Amanda’s journey into advocacy began with a life-saving moment during her pregnancy, inspiring nearly two decades of work educating families on the importance of monitoring fetal movement.
For 18 years, she has volunteered with Count the Kicks, helping reduce preventable stillbirths through education and outreach. In early 2026 alone, she reached over 100 community members and partnered with multiple organizations to expand access to lifesaving information.
She also mentors young girls through Girls on the Run, building confidence and leadership. Across nine seasons, she has mentored more than 100 girls.
With nearly 600 volunteer hours annually, Amanda’s dedication shows the powerful impact one person can have on an entire community.
👉 Support Amanda Braverman-Brohn
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Whitley Nabintu Marshall
Florida, USA
Whitley Nabintu Marshall is a compassionate leader, creative executive, and advocate for inclusive, service-driven leadership. As a two-time national titleholder, she uses her platform to expand beauty standards, uplift underrepresented voices, and champion volunteerism through the arts, wellness, and community engagement.
She is the Founder of the Compassionate Leadership Project and CEO of Artlovelifestyle Magazine, as well as the designer behind Artlovelifestyle Attire, a sustainable fashion brand showcased at major events including Miami Swim Week and New York Fashion Week. Through her work in media, fashion, and experiential events, Whitley centers purpose, accessibility, and social impact.
Whitley also leads Mind Body Compassion Coaching, where she integrates mindfulness, wellness, nutrition, movement, and mentorship to support individuals in personal growth and leadership. As a Still She Rose Ambassador, she facilitates mental health and mindfulness workshops and serves on the national staff of multiple pageant systems, helping to guide and inspire the next generation.
A recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award and a Global Volunteer Award, Whitley continues to lead with compassion, using her voice and platform to create meaningful, volunteer-driven change.
👉 Support Whitley Nabintu Marshall
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Laurel Barrett
Colorado, USA
Laurel Barrett is a lifelong volunteer, program leader, and advocate for recognizing the power of service in communities around the world. With a deep commitment to volunteerism, she has dedicated years to creating opportunities for others to give back, connect, and be celebrated for their impact.
As the Founder of the Global Volunteer Recognition Program, Laurel leads a global initiative focused on uplifting volunteers and ensuring their contributions are seen, valued, and honored. Through monthly service projects, award nominations, and international recognition efforts, she has created a platform that empowers volunteers and strengthens communities.
In addition to leading the program, Laurel actively volunteers across a wide range of initiatives, including mentoring youth, organizing donation drives, supporting community cleanups, assisting with national programs like NORAD Tracks Santa, and serving with the Medical Reserve Corps. She consistently contributes hundreds of volunteer hours each year, demonstrating a hands-on commitment to service.
Laurel also brings her leadership into the public eye as a titleholder and advocate, using her platform to promote volunteerism, inspire others to get involved, and build a culture where service is celebrated.
With a passion for impact and a vision for global recognition, Laurel continues to lead by example, proving that one person’s dedication to service can create opportunities for thousands of others.
👉 Support Laurel Barrett
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Katie Cunningham
Maine, USA
Katie has been a dedicated volunteer since high school, where she first discovered her passion for service. Through her involvement in pageants, she found a wealth of opportunities to give back, beginning her mission to support veterans in 2018 with the Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association 17.1 at the Cumberland Fair.
Since then, her commitment has grown significantly. With over 2,700 hours logged for the President’s Volunteer Service Award between 2020 and 2024, volunteering has truly become a central part of her life. She works regularly with numerous organizations, including Soldiers' Angels, Quilts of Valor, Honor Flight, the American Legion, Wreaths Across America, Stars for our Troops, Boothbay VETS, and the American Red Cross as a Blood Ambassador and Service to the Armed Forces volunteer.
These efforts represent only a fraction of her ongoing work each year. Katie views this service as a way to give back to the community that supports her mission. As she explains: "I take my volunteering personally; I do it in memory of my father and the 22 veterans lost to suicide every day. Everything I do aligns with my life’s mission: No veteran left behind."
👉 Support Katie Cunningham
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Genesis Gomez
Colorado, USA
Genesis is a visionary leader, author, and entrepreneur whose journey is rooted in resilience, purpose, and empowerment. From a young age, she dreamed of inspiring others while building a life centered on family and impact, a vision she has brought to life as a devoted mother of two and a powerful voice for women’s growth.
After facing personal, professional, and health challenges, Genesis transformed adversity into purpose. When a collaborative publishing experience fell apart due to a lack of transparency, she refused to give up on the shared dream. Instead, she leaned into faith and clarity, birthing the movement Reigning Resilient Queens, a powerful platform uniting women through storytelling, healing, and empowerment.
Today, Genesis continues to uplift others by turning pain into purpose, reminding women everywhere of their strength, worth, and ability to rise.
👉 Support Genesis Gomez
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Nandini Chakrabarty
Illinois, USA
Dragon fruits: their quiet sweetness has brushed her life ever since her grandpa’s battle with cancer, when she searched endlessly for ways to support his health and raise his platelets. What began as a minor act of love grew into a long-term interest in health. Since then, she has dedicated 150+ hours to health-related volunteering, helped launch a hospice organization’s firth youth board, impacted 200+ individuals through hospice programs, and recruited 10+ volunteers in two weeks. Her impact stands in expanding support for patients and families while cultivating new opportunities for youth involvement in service. Her story inspires others because it proves that pain does not end in slice because it can be reshaped into service, mended into compassion, and offered back into the world as hope. Through her empathy, initiative, and leadership, she illustrates that even life’s hardest moments can become the starting point for comfort, connection, and lasting change.
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Raj Awasthi
Maryland, USA
Raj’s service in 2025 had a measurable impact on both students and the broader community. Through BetterPlanet4Kids and MCPS SSL-approved volunteer activities, he helped expand access to meaningful volunteer opportunities for MCPS students. Through his work on the Student Climate Action Council, he supported sustainability efforts with systemwide reach and helped advance the council’s $75,000 grant program, which funded more than 10 student-led environmental projects and helped strengthen student environmental leadership across Montgomery County.
Raj also made a meaningful impact through literacy and academic support. Through BP4K’s Education Resource Fundraiser and related literacy efforts, he helped provide more than 50,000 books to children nationwide. Through BP4K’s tutoring support, he expanded student academic assistance by incorporating SAT tutoring into youth service programming, helping peers strengthen their college readiness while also creating new opportunities for student mentorship.
His environmental and civic advocacy also produced tangible local results. Through the 2025 Earth Day cleanup and related park stewardship efforts, he mobilized youth volunteers to support environmental stewardship across hundreds of acres of parkland while providing SSL hours to eligible students. Through the Safer Roads 4 Kids campaign, he helped pave the way for significant safety improvements in a corridor serving approximately 4,000 students and families connected to four MCPS schools.
The impact of Raj’s 2025 service also continued into early 2026. At the MLK Day of Service Fair, he and his volunteer team engaged community members in civic participation efforts and collected approximately 500 pledges to vote. On February 11, 2026, Raj testified before the Maryland House Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 331, the Maryland Bottle Bill, helping elevate youth perspectives in a statewide policy discussion. In doing so, he represented the voice of a school system serving more than 150,000 MCPS students and demonstrated how youth advocacy can contribute meaningfully to public policy conversations.
Finally, through YouthRUs, Raj extended the impact of his service beyond any one project or organization by creating a platform where young people can engage with issues such as education, climate, and civic participation while learning from globally recognized leaders.
Overall, Raj’s service had a multiplier effect: it produced direct results in literacy, environmental stewardship, public safety, and civic participation, while also empowering other young people to lead and make a lasting difference in their communities.
👉 Support Raj Awasthi
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DYLAN ESTEBAN LIPSET
Florida, USA
Dylan Lipset, who is a Junior high school student at Florida Atlantic University & High School at Florida, in recognition of his outstanding dedication to community service and his genuine commitment to helping others. Dylan has completed over 950 hours of volunteer service across a wide range of organizations, demonstrating not only consistency, but also deep compassion, leadership, and responsibility. Dylan serves as an ambassador for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where he actively contributes to fundraising efforts and awareness campaigns for children battling cancer. Through organizing community initiatives, including in-person and online fundraising efforts, he has helped bring attention to the importance of supporting pediatric research and providing hope to families in need. His work reflects both leadership and a sincere desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. In addition to his work with St. Jude, Dylan volunteers at Jupiter Medical Center in the histology laboratory. In this setting, he has gained valuable exposure to biomedical science while supporting the healthcare environment. His involvement demonstrates a strong interest in medicine and a willingness to learn while contributing responsibly in a professional setting. What makes Dylan truly inspiring is not only the number of hours he has dedicated, but the intention behind his service. He approaches every opportunity with humility, empathy, and a genuine desire to help others. Whether he is supporting patients, tutoring students, or serving his community, Dylan consistently demonstrates integrity, compassion, and leadership.Dylan’s ability to balance rigorous academic responsibilities with extensive volunteer work reflects exceptional time management, discipline, and character. His actions inspire others to become more engaged in their communities and to recognize the impact that consistent, compassionate service can have.
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Sara DornBrook
Wisconsin, USA
Sara DornBrook, Mrs. USA Worldwide 2025, is a woman whose life is defined by resilience, sacrifice, and an unwavering heart for others. As an ambassador for the PKD Foundation and Love Without Boundaries, she has turned some of life’s hardest moments into a mission to serve. After donating her kidney to her husband, who suffers from Polycystic Kidney Disease, Sara transformed her family’s journey into purpose—fighting not only for her loved ones, but for countless others facing the same diagnosis.
In the past three years alone, Sara has contributed to over 105 causes, invested more than 1,650 hours of her time, helped raise and donate over $37,000, and facilitated the donation of more than 13,000 items to those in need. Her efforts have earned her 22 awards, but for Sara, the true reward is the lives she touches and the hope she helps restore. She also co-authored a children’s book with her family, sharing their transplant journey to help other children better understand and cope with similar running her business. Having grown up without a fortune, she now sees it as a true blessing to be able to give back and provide for others in ways she once needed herself.
Even in the face of unimaginable hardship, including the loss of her salon in a devastating 2024 fire and a flood in her home in 2025, Sara never lost sight of others. Instead of stepping back, she leaned in—continuing to serve, give, and uplift her community.
Sara DornBrook leads with grace in the face of adversity, proving that even through life’s storms, it is possible to rise, rebuild, and still choose kindness. Her story is not just inspiring—it is a powerful reminder of the impact one selfless heart can make.
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Dr. (h.c.) Everett L. Gilliam
Virginia, USA
Dr. (h.c.) Everett L. Gilliam is a transformative humanitarian leader whose lifelong commitment to service has made a profound and measurable impact on communities across the nation. For more than 30 years, he has advanced economic equity, educational access, and community stability by building scalable systems that deliver real relief to those most in need. Through his leadership, over 100,000 children and families are supported annually, more than 500,000 essential items are distributed each year, and over $2 million in resources have been mobilized to address critical needs such as food insecurity, housing instability, and access to education. As the driving force behind large-scale community initiatives, including nationwide toy drives and scholarship programs, Dr. Gilliam has helped underserved children experience joy, opportunity, and hope. His dedication extends to causes such as cancer awareness through Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, support for patients via the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and mentorship through Big Brothers Big Sisters, where he has personally impacted lives by guiding youth toward brighter futures. A six-time recipient of the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and a nationally recognized humanitarian, Dr. Gilliam exemplifies “Service Before Self.” His ability to mobilize volunteers, empower families, and create sustainable pathways out of poverty makes him exceptionally deserving of recognition as a Community Champion, as his work continues to strengthen the fabric of communities and inspire lasting change.
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Brandon Barrientos-Cordova
Colorado, USA
Brandon Barrientos-Cordova is a man of faith, devoted father, community leader, and keynote speaker, serving as Co-President and Executive Director of Generational Opportunities, a nonprofit empowering youth through mentorship, leadership, and opportunity. Raised in Thornton, Colorado, he is a living testimony—having faced real struggles and adversity, and finding purpose through faith, discipline, and perseverance. A former Thornton Community Center youth, Brandon now gives back as a bodybuilder, mentor, member of Thornton’s Visionary Committee Board, and leader of Thornton’s Youth Council. He also serves as a Dean and Student Advisor at Abraham Lincoln High School, walking alongside students as they strive to become better versions of themselves. With over 17 years in fitness and personal development, he lives what he teaches—focusing on strength mentally, spiritually, and physically, while breaking generational cycles and building a legacy of hope—reminding all: “You can do anything and everything that you put your heart, mind, body, and soul into.”
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Derrick Deleon
Colorado, USA
Derrick DeLeon is a multifaceted leader and creative powerhouse serving as the CEO of the Be Great Hierarchy, a brand built on the philosophy that greatness is a choice we make every day. With a career spanning photography, digital media production, and a regular presence on TV and Radio, Derrick has mastered the art of storytelling across every platform. His influence extends deep into the music industry as an A&R for the MGE Record Label and as the Co-Executive Director of Entertainment for Serve Aurora, where he helps shape the cultural and artistic landscape. Whether he’s managing independent artists, coordinating major events, or building out the Be Great apparel line, his goal is always to inspire others to push past mediocrity and reach their full potential. Beyond his business ventures, Derrick is deeply invested in lifting up the next generation. As the Vice President of the nonprofit Generational Opportunities, he leads community-driven initiatives like the Summer Slam Session basketball tournament to empower youth and families. This mission is a family affair—Derrick co-owns the Be Great brand with his daughters, Nyellie and Melaya, ensuring that his legacy of service and ambition continues to grow. From his early days in music management to his current role as a media mogul and community leader, Derrick lives by one simple rule: stay resilient, stay humble, and always strive to be great.
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Priscila Young
Texas, USA
Priscila, Mrs. Texas UCA 2026, is a dedicated community leader with a strong background in service and empowerment. She previously served as President of a nonprofit women’s organization in Washington, DC, where she supported and uplifted women—especially stay-at-home mothers—by creating opportunities for connection, growth, and community service. Through this work, she helped organize initiatives that gave back to the community and strengthened support systems for families.
After relocating to Texas, Priscila founded Rise and Shine, a women’s group focused on helping stay-at-home moms stay active, build meaningful connections, and feel supported in their daily lives.
Her passion extends to youth advocacy. As Mrs. Texas UCA 2026, her platform focuses on addressing bullying, cyberbullying, and mental health. She will be traveling across Texas, speaking in schools to raise awareness, educate, and empower youth to lead with kindness and confidence.
Priscila is also committed to supporting her broader community through volunteer work, including collaborating with mental healthcare professionals and participating in initiatives such as feeding the homeless.
Her leadership, compassion, and dedication to service—across women, youth, and underserved communities—make her a powerful force for positive change and truly deserving of recognition.
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Saryna Ritter
Chicago, USA
My life’s work has always been rooted in service, advocacy, and empowering others. Through my organization, You Gotta Have Faith, I lead community-driven efforts that provide care packages, essential supplies, and emotional support to families facing crisis situations around the world. This project was founded in honor of my late sister, Faith, and continues to grow as a beacon of hope for those navigating unimaginable challenges. In addition, through my business, Go Bling Yourself, I actively support over 60 pageant systems annually, giving back through sponsorships, scholarships, and in-kind donations that help young women pursue their goals with confidence and dignity.
The causes closest to my heart center around family support, women’s empowerment, and uplifting individuals during their most vulnerable moments. I am deeply passionate about ensuring that no family feels alone in times of hardship, and that women of all ages have access to opportunities that help them grow personally and professionally. My advocacy extends beyond financial support—I strive to create meaningful, lasting impact through mentorship, encouragement, and connection.
Over the past two decades, I have had the privilege of helping tens of thousands of women through my business and philanthropic work. From first-time pageant contestants to seasoned titleholders, I have provided resources, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Through my charity, I have reached families in need across the globe, delivering not only essentials but also hope.
I believe I deserve recognition not for personal achievement, but for the lives touched and the communities strengthened along the way. My mission has always been bigger than myself—to serve, to uplift, and to ensure that others feel seen, supported, and empowered to shine in their own unique way.
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Misty Lee Coolidge
Maine, USA
Misty Coolidge, International Mrs USA, is a dedicated leader known for her service, compassion, and entrepreneurial spirit. She has spent more than 21 years supporting hunger relief efforts and helping communities in need.
Through volunteer work across the United States and around the world, Misty has made a lasting impact while inspiring others to give back. Her commitment to service and uplifting others makes her a true community champion.
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Lacey Haines
Tennessee, USA
She's been serving her whole life and she truly loves helping others. It doesn't matter how much time, energy, or money, she makes it happen for the people in her community and wherever she travels. She's always giving back.
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Sara Dukart
North Dakota, USA
Sara has Volunteered with the American foundation for suicide prevention for the past 10 years, helping to raise $10,000 for suicide prevention research, and programming.
She has been able to reach thousands of individuals ranging from school age through late adulthood to inspire hope through her. I care you matter movement. She has dedicated not only hundreds of hours volunteering, but works in psychiatry to help it visuals with her mental health and well-being as her profession. She is someone who truly eats sleeps and breathes mental health, and wanting to make everyone feel loved, and that they have a purpose in this world.
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Tabitha Rodriguez
Colorado, USA
Tabitha Rodriguez is a curious and compassionate individual who approaches challenges with a calm and thoughtful mindset. She values growth, creativity, and building meaningful, respectful connections in every environment.
She currently serves as the Vice President of Generational Opportunities, where she helps support initiatives that empower individuals and strengthen communities. Known for her adaptability and strong collaboration skills, Tabitha brings both initiative and a peaceful presence to her work.
Committed to continuous improvement, she strives to deliver high-quality results while fostering balance and creating a positive impact on the world around her.
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Aron Arenas
Colorado, USA
Aron Arenas is a man rooted in faith, a father above all else, and a humble servant to anyone in need of a helping hand. He is the Co-Founder and Co-President of Generational Opportunities, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth, providing leadership, and creating opportunities for them to succeed.
Aron’s mission is deeply personal. Having faced many challenges as a child, he was led into the street life, joining a gang at 15. He knows what it feels like to be forgotten and given up on. Through faith, determination, and belief in himself, real change began.
Today, he uses his story to inspire and guide youth facing similar struggles, showing them that their past doesn’t define their future.
Legacy is meaningless; it’s the impact we make on others while we’re here, not the name we leave behind.
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Salina Tabatha Ramirez
Texas, USA
Salina is a dedicated young leader whose commitment to serving others continues to make a meaningful impact both locally and beyond. She actively supports a variety of community projects, including volunteering with organizations that serve children in foster care, families in need, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Through her work, she has helped provide care packages, organize back-to school drives, and bring comfort to those facing difficult circumstances. Salina is especially passionate about kindness, anti-bullying, and uplifting others values she promotes through her platform, Be K.I.N.D. – Kids Inspiring New Deeds.
Her service extends beyond her hometown, she donates in San Antonio at the children’s Methodist hospital and Ronald McDonald House offering her time to bring smiles and encouragement to young patients and their families. Whether she is packing craft kits, donating coloring books, mentoring younger children, or simply offering a kind word, Salina leads with compassion and purpose.
What truly sets Salina apart is her genuine heart for service and her desire to inspire others her age to give back. She doesn’t volunteer for recognition but to create real change, showing that even small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact. Salina is highly deserving of recognition because she embodies leadership, empathy, and a strong commitment to making her community a better place for everyone.
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Kavya Gangasani
California, USA
Kavya Gangasani is the founder and executive director of Bay Area Medical Explorers, a student-led nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth to pursue careers in medicine. Under her leadership, the organization has grown to over 350 members across 20+ global chapters, collectively impacting more than 400,000 individuals. Kavya has led a wide range of initiatives, including community blood drives, research bootcamps, and global health case study programs, all designed to give students hands-on exposure to real-world medical challenges. Through these efforts, she has created opportunities for students to explore medicine in meaningful and accessible ways. Kavya is deeply committed to bridging gaps in healthcare awareness and inspiring the next generation of medical professionals. She ultimately hopes to open a hospital one day and continue expanding access to healthcare and education.
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Jeremiah Nathanial Banks
Colorado, USA
Jeremiah Banks is the logistical engine and compassionate core behind Serve Aurora, working alongside Alexander Nieves to reshape how the Denver-Aurora area supports its most vulnerable residents. While often operating behind the scenes, Jeremiah’s impact is defined by a relentless commitment to action over rhetoric, ensuring that the organization’s vision translates into tangible relief for those in crisis. Jeremiah’s work is heavily influenced by the shared legacy of James Fedler. Following the heartbreaking loss of James to an overdose, Jeremiah stepped up to ensure the work they started together didn't falter. He treats every hygiene kit handed out and every warm meal served as a tribute to James’s spirit, maintaining a standard of "radical hospitality" that views the unhoused not as statistics, but as neighbors worthy of respect.
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Teri Karjala
Colorado, USA
Teri Karjala, is a Business Success Therapist with Talking With Teri, best-selling author of Be The Magic of You: Tools to Transform Your Life with a foreword by Jack Canfield. She has been featured on national television and is a regular guest on Colorado TV stations. She hosts Talking With Teri-TV, including The Entrepreneur Girlfriend Hour, a live studio experience with content created by women for women. Viewers describe it as Oprah meets Tony Robbins with a comedic therapeutic twist. As a thought leader in female empowerment and entrepreneurship, she helps business owners scale beyond six figures. With 27-year counseling experience, she integrates energy psychology and quantum principles to clear unconscious blocks and create lasting transformation. She guides clients to align mindset, strategy, and purpose, building sustainable success and deeper fulfillment. Her mission is to help leaders unlock their potential and create meaningful impact in their businesses and lives worldwide.
Teri Karjala brings 28 years of dedicated volunteer service, including over two decades with Special Olympics in various roles. She has served on the Aurora Mental Health Center board in executive leadership and currently contributes to the Metropolitan State University- Business Board and Elevating Connections, supporting children in foster care.
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Sarah Park
California, USA
Sarah Park, Director of the Hwarang Youth Foundation, is a dedicated community leader whose work has empowered countless young people through education, mentorship, and cultural engagement. She has played a key role in developing programs that support youth in building confidence, leadership skills, and academic success, particularly among immigrant and underrepresented communities.
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Dana Taylor
West Virginia, USA
Dana Taylor has transformed nearly two decades of being unheard, misdiagnosed, and dismissed into a mission that is reshaping lupus awareness across West Virginia. After finally receiving her diagnosis in 2020, she has built the statewide lupus presence that once didn’t exist — guiding and giving support to lupus patients, connecting rural families to resources, and giving a voice to people who had spent years feeling invisible in their pain.
Dana is the first West Virginian to serve the Lupus Foundation of America in multiple volunteer leadership roles, including National Ambassador, representative at the National Lupus Advocacy Summit, Lupus Support Group Facilitator, host of the first in‑person Walk to End Lupus Now in the state, member of the Lupus Research Action Network (LRAN), and Speaker’s Bureau representative. These volunteer roles have become her purpose — a way to continue serving others after lupus forced her to stop working.
Healing found Dana at her small rescue-hobby farm, where she bonded with her rescue horse, Jester, both of whom were recovering from trauma. She aims to use her master’s in clinical mental health counseling and pursue certification for equine-assisted therapy. However, this dream is on hold as she navigates the challenges of lupus.
On March 21, 2025, lupus attacked Dana’s central nervous system, triggering a seizure while she was driving with her twin daughters. Though her daughters were unharmed, Dana woke in the ICU unable to walk. She relearned every step — and still traveled to Washington, D.C. for the Advocacy Summit, walking slowly and painfully through Capitol Hill because so many lupus patients cannot.
Dana's mission is simple: to continue amplifying the voices of lupus warriors and raising awareness about the disease. Her dream is to walk across a national pageant stage in heels one last time, not for a crown, but to demonstrate resilience and hope, showing that we can rise and make the world better, one step at a time.
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Yasmin Atwal
Toronto, Canada
Yasmin Atwal is a Tedx speaker, award winning author and outstanding youth volunteer whose work has advanced disability inclusion, accessibility, legal literacy, and community empowerment across Canada and beyond. As the founder of the National Disability Inclusion Toolkit and National Accessible Schools Initiative, she has dedicated countless volunteer hours to researching barriers faced by students with disabilities and developing practical solutions that schools can implement to create more inclusive learning environments.
Yasmin's commitment to service extends beyond advocacy. She raised $1,000 for the Canadian Music Therapy Fund and donated $1,000 worth of adaptive musical instruments to Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, supporting children with disabilities through therapeutic and accessible programming. She has also created a free online certifiable course and shared her message through public speaking, including presentations at international conferences and the United Nations helping raise awareness about accessibility and disability rights on a global stage.
Through her YouTube channel, Yasmin’s Legal Lounge, she has reached more than 2,000 followers with accessible information about legal rights, inclusion, and advocacy. Her work is informed by consultations with people with disabilities, educators, disability organizations, and human rights experts, ensuring that the voices of those most affected remain at the center of her initiatives.
Yasmin deserves recognition because she combines compassion with action. She does not simply raise awareness—she creates practical tools, educational resources, and opportunities that empower individuals and strengthen communities. Her volunteer efforts are creating lasting change and helping build a more accessible, inclusive, and equitable society for all.
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Charlotte Doering
San Diego, California
Charlotte Doering is an exceptional young woman whose dedication to community service, academic excellence, and compassion for others has made a lasting impact throughout her community. In 2025 alone, Charlotte completed an impressive 378 hours of community service, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to helping both animals and people in need.
One of Charlotte’s greatest passions is supporting animal welfare. Through her determination and creativity, she raised $3,200 by recycling cans and bottles, with all proceeds going to help animals and local rescues. In addition, she organized and collected more than 100 bags of towels and blankets to donate to animal rescue organizations, helping provide comfort and care for countless animals awaiting homes. Her love for animals is evident not only through her volunteer work, but also through the joy she finds spending time with her own seven pets.
Charlotte’s service extends far beyond animal advocacy. She is deeply committed to honoring and supporting the military community. She has volunteered at numerous military-related events and activities, including decorating the Naval Hospital during the Christmas season to bring joy and comfort to patients and families. Charlotte has also participated in placing flags and wreaths on graves at the national cemetery during holidays, paying tribute to the sacrifices of America’s veterans and service members.
Her leadership and dedication have also been recognized academically and civically. Charlotte won the prestigious Fleet Reserve Association essay contest two years in a row, an accomplishment that reflects both her strong writing abilities and appreciation for military service and patriotism.
Despite facing significant personal challenges, Charlotte continues to excel in every aspect of her life. She has maintained Straight A grades for the past two years while coping with chronic migraines, anxiety, and being legally blind in one eye. Her perseverance, resilience, and positive attitude serve as an inspiration to everyone around her.
Charlotte’s extraordinary efforts have earned her numerous honors and recognitions. She has received three Presidential Volunteer Service Awards and has been recognized for her outstanding community contributions by local chambers of commerce, supervisors, senators, and a United States congressman.
When she is not volunteering or excelling in school, Charlotte enjoys spending time at the beach, dancing, and caring for her beloved pets. Her compassion, determination, and selflessness make her a shining example of leadership and service, proving that one person truly can make a difference in the lives of others.
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Nominations are free and open to the public. Help us recognize the volunteers creating positive change.
Support the Mission
Every vote helps celebrate volunteer impact and supports the Global Volunteer Recognition Program.
Together, we are building a global culture of recognition for those who give their time to help others.
Annual Volunteer Award Gala
Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating volunteers.
June 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Gaylord of the Rockies | Denver, Colorado
✨ Awards, speeches, networking, and a private dinner
A ticket is required for every attendee