WGR Announces Finalists for the 2022 Excellence in Advocacy Awards

Women in Government Relations is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2022 Excellence in Advocacy Awards. This is the only awards program that recognizes everyday women advocates.

We received many impressive nominations this year. Peer judges—women working in government relations, advocacy and public affairs—narrowed down the list to just three finalists in each category. The awardees will be revealed during the Excellence in Advocacy Awards Reception at the Professional Women in Advocacy Conference on Monday, October 3 at 5 PM at the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC.

For more information on the awards and reception please visit: wgr.org/eiaawards.

The 2022 finalists by category are:

Advocate of the Year

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

• Shanequa Levin, CEO & Founder, Women’s Diversity Network
• Alea Nadeem, Major, United States Air Force
• Meredith Raimondi, Vice President of Public Policy, National Council Urban Indian Health

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.

• Yasmin Nelson, Partner and Senior Principal, Bracewell LLP's Policy Resolution Group (PRG)
• Maryam Rayed, Founding Director, Afghanistan Women’s Think Tank
• Samantha Sliney, Department of the Air Force Women's Initiatives Team Co-Lead, United States Air Force

Federal Issue Campaign

This award recognizes 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.

• Sarah Butts, Director of Public Policy, National Association of Social Workers
• Sarah Corcoran, Vice President, Government Relations, Guide Consulting Services
• Marianna Patterson, Senior Manager, Public Policy, Amazon

State Issue Campaign

This award recognizes 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.

• Adjoa B. Asamoah, Principal/CEO, ABA Consulting LLC
• Dawn Bauman, Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, Community Associations Institute
• Julia Worcester, Director of State Government Relations, The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

Women Serving Women Campaign

This award recognizes an effort wherein women advocate(s) successfully impacted the outcome of a problem or opportunity on behalf of other women.

• Adjoa B. Asamoah, Principal/CEO, ABA Consulting LLC
• Kate Shanks, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
• United States Air Force, Team of Megan Biles, Alea Nadeem, Noel “Christy” Nolta, Mary O’Brien, Jessica Ruttenber, Samantha Sliney

Controversial Issue Campaign

This award recognizes 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.

• American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Team of Sarah Bogdan, Melissa Grigsby, Jessie Losch, Becca O’Connor, Riley Rogers, Sean Tipton
• Melissa Hemphill, Major, Instructor USAFA, Department of the Air Force
• Erin Jones, Director, Legislative and Strategic Counsel, March of Dimes

NEW Campaign Using Innovation

This award recognizes an advocacy effort wherein the advocate(s) used technology and/or innovation to achieve a positive result. Examples would include new or novel uses of software, hardware, platforms, gadgets and devices. Does not include social media efforts.

• Eliza Hernandez, Chief of Staff, National 4-H Council
• Ashley Turney, Chief Innovation and Experience Officer (CIXO), City of Reno
• YMCA, Team of Kelly Kennai, Kelsey McKim, Derek Summerville

NEW Communications in an Advocacy Campaign

This award recognizes an advocacy effort that succeeded because of the communication strategy, tactics and implementation. What was the strategy, what were the metrics, and what did the campaign achieve? Includes social media.

• Orlana Darkins Drewery, President, The Shyne Network
• April Muller, Digital Advocacy Lead, Best Friends Animal Society
• Nicole Patton, Manager of State Government Relations, National Down Syndrome Society

NEW Volunteer Advocate

This award recognizes an advocacy effort wherein the advocate is a volunteer, not a career paid professional. The advocate turned their passion project into a formal advocacy effort that effected legislative, judicial or policy change in the subject matter area.

• Megan Biles, Major, Department of the U.S. Air Force Women's Initiatives Team
• Amy Liepert, Medical Director of Acute Care Surgery & Associate Professor, UC San Diego Health

Please help us congratulate these everyday advocates doing extraordinary things by sharing this news post on social media #EIA2022 @WGRDC.

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