WGR Announces 2021 Excellence in Advocacy Nominees

Women in Government Relations is pleased to announce the nominees for this year’s Excellence in Advocacy Awards. The intent of the awards is to put the spotlight on everyday advocates who dedicate themselves to representing their issue, cause or organization in the public policy arena and this year we have an amazing group of nominees! 

Peer judges will now review the nominations. The finalists in each category will be announced in July. One awardee in each category will be revealed at the virtual Professional Women in Advocacy Conference on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. 

Interested in attending or supporting the awards program? Learn more here. 

Here are the 2021 nominees by category:  

Advocate of the Year

This award recognizes a mid-career advocacy professional for extraordinary work on behalf of a cause, industry or policy issue. Designed to recognize women with 8-20 years of experience in the advocacy field who have achieved remarkable results for their career level.

• Stacey Brayboy, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Director, Virginia Office of Intergovernmental Affairs

• Corinne Carey, Senior NY/NJ Campaign Director, Compassion & Choices

• Courtney Christian, Senior Director, Policy and Research, PhRMA

• Christine Davies, Founder & CEO, Poligage

• Logan de La Barre-Hays, Legislative Assistant, Rep. Garret Graves

• Brooke Donilon, Vice President Government Relations at NCTA - The Internet & Television Association, NCTA - The Internet & Television Association

• Allyson Drag, Government Relations Director/Regional Team Lead, American Heart Association

• Gabrielle Friedman, Senior Manager of Government Affairs, Gap Inc.

• Melissa Jackowski, Director of Campaign Services, REAL Strategies

• Jessica Jacoby Lemos, Director of Federal Government Affairs, Walmart

• Stephanie Kendrick, Public Policy Advocate, Hawaiian Humane Society

• Krystal Leaphart, Operations and Policy Associate, National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women

• Scarlett Lewis, Founder and Chief Movement Officer, Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement

• Regina Luzincourt, Director of Political Action, Transport Workers Union of America

• Heather O'Donnell, Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy, Thresholds

• Jennifer Rosen, Senior Director, State Affairs, Alzheimer's Association

• Jessica Ruttenber, Lt Col, United States Air Force

• KayAnn Schoeneman, Executive Vice President, Curley Company

• Ariel Shaw, President, Southern Crescent Women In Business

• Emily Tisch Sussman, Creator and Host, Your Political Playlist

• Hannah Wesolowski, Director, Field Advocacy, NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness

• Anne Wilson, Head of Public Affairs & Strategic Partnerships, Viatris

Advocate on the Rise
This award recognizes the advocate for early achievements in her career and potential to be a successful contributor to the field over time. Designed to recognize women who have less than 8 years in the advocacy field.

• Adriane Alicea, Deputy Director, Government Affairs and Organizational Program, Green 2.0

• Stephanie Bazell, Director of Policy & Advocacy, College & Community Fellowship

• Ally Bernstein-Talcott, Principal, Step Up Advocacy

• Madison Campbell, Founder & CEO, Leda Health

• Sharon Copeland, Digital Director, The Herald Group

• Nia Duggins, Senior Policy Representative, National Association Realtors

• Emily Eckert, Manager, Health Policy, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

• Jennifer Fox, Assistant Vice President, Political Affairs, Finseca

• Emily Horowitz, Manager, Government Relations, American Heart Association

• Taylor Kleffel, Manager, State Policy, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

• Athena Motavvef, Associate Legislative Representative, Earthjustice

• Nicole Patton, Manager of Grassroots Advocacy, National Down Syndrome Society

• Monica Pham, Head of State and Local Government Affairs, Biogen

• Katie Shoaf, Manager, Public Affairs, Edison Electric Institute

• Laura Welch, President, Illinois Chapter, National Organization for Women

Controversial Issue Campaign
An effort wherein the advocate successfully impacted the outcome of a federal legislative or regulatory problem or opportunity on an issue that was controversial or not very popular.

• Tara Mancini, Senior Manager of Public Policy, Power to Decide

Women Serving Women Campaign
An effort wherein women advocate(s) successfully impacted the outcome of a problem or opportunity on behalf of other women.

• Maggie Ayrea, Legislative Director, Rep. Garret Graves

• Catherine Beane, Vice President, Public Policy & Advocacy, YWCA USA

• Julianne Condrey, VP Government and Associate Relations, Aegis Associates, LLC

• Dr. Doreen Dunn-Berts, CEO/Life Changer, Informing Our Children Inc

• Tamika Felder, Founder and Chief Visionary, Cervivor

• Wanda Nunez, Community Leader, Mars Ministry

• Republican Women for Progress, Team of Jennifer Lim, Kodiak Hill-Davis, Ariel Hill-Davis, Alanna Fridfertig, Meghan Milloy, Patricia Russo, , 

• Amy Whited, Founder, Pink Granite

State Issue Campaign
An effort wherein the advocate(s) successfully impacted the outcome of a state or local legislative or regulatory problem or opportunity on behalf of their cause, issue, client, organization or coalition.

• Angelina Casanova, National Legislative Affairs Manager, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation

• Julianne Condrey, VP Government and Associate Relations, Aegis Associates, LLC

• Chelsey Dumond, Senior Manager, Public Policy Events and Projects, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

• Kathryn Giglio Sherlock, Founder, Kayden's Korner Foundation

• Rachel Holmes, Managing Attorney, Criminal Defense, Georgia Justice Project

• Melanie Lynn Lendnal, Director, State Policy and Advocacy, American Kidney Fund

• Jeannette Mobley, Founder, JPM Group

• Elizabeth Randol, Legislative Director, ACLU of Pennsylvania

• Mallory Rusch, Executive Director, Empower Missouri

• Marcy Savage, Partner, Reid McNally & Savage

• Lauren Schwartz, Advocacy Campaign Coordinator, REAL Strategies

• Jennifer Tassler, Director of Policy and Programming, Associated Medical Schools of New York )AMSNY)

• Ledy Vankavage, Senior Legislative Attorney, Best Friends Animal Society

Federal Issue Campaign
An effort wherein the advocate(s) successfully impacted the outcome of a federal legislative or regulatory problem or opportunity on behalf of their cause, issue, client, organization or coalition.

• Arnold & Porter Team, Dana Weekes, Amy Smith, Marné Marotta, Taylor Cazeault, Carly Sincavitch

• Julia Dreyer, JD, Vice President of Public Policy, National Council of Urban Indian Health
  

• Brielle Green, Legislative Counsel, Earthjustice

• Jocelyn Hong, Founder and Principal, Jocelyn Hong & Associates, LLC

• Aurene Martin, Owner, Spirit Rock, LLC

• National Parks Action Fund Team, Natalie Levine and Bev Stanton, , 

• National Transportation Safety Board Team, Stephanie Shaw, Amy Terrone, Leah Walton, , 

• Ally Perleoni, Manager, Government Relations, Association of American Medical Colleges

• Prianka Sharma, Assistant Chief Counsel, Office of Advocacy, US Small Business Administration

• Hannah Wesolowski, Director, Field Advocacy, NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness

Please help us congratulate these everyday advocates doing extraordinary things by sharing this news post on social media #EIA2021 @WGRDC.

Interested in supporting these incredible women and the Excellence in Advocacy Awards? Contact us