Announcing the 2024 NonProfit Professionals of the Year Award
By Amanda Cole and Kalie VanDewater
Year end means asking donors if they could just make one more gift to support your mission and preparing to do it all again next year so your organization can get one step closer to achieving your mission. At NonProfit PRO, year end means it’s time for our annual NonProfit Professionals of the Year Awards.
Though our readers nominate hundreds of dedicated nonprofit professionals annually, we can only honor a few worthy candidates. Each year, it is difficult to narrow down the accomplished individuals during the selection process. In fact, we honored six individuals this year because the competition for the Unsung Hero category was so strong, we couldn’t select just one. The 2024 honorees are fighting antisemitism and other forms of hate, getting one step closer to curing cancer, assisting underserved individuals and more.
Learn more about each of the 2024 Nonprofit Professionals of the Year award winners and their incredible accomplishments by hovering over each of their headshots below.
NonProfit Professional of the Year Award
Jonathan Greenblatt
CEO and National Director
Anti-Defamation League
New York City
His nominator said: Though the months following Oct. 7 have been very challenging, ADL and the Jewish people have time and time again looked to Jonathan to lead the fight against antisemitism.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Billy Starr
Founder and Executive Director
Pan-Mass Challenge
Needham, Massachusetts
His nominator said: Nearly everyone knows someone who has either been impacted by cancer, lost their battle or experienced it firsthand. Thanks to Billy, participants have a way to make a tangible impact in this fight, with their efforts having a global impact.
Fundraiser of the Year Award
Shiree Skinner
Director of Development and Communications
New Futures
Washington, D.C.
Her nominator said: She consistently centers the mission of New Futures in all her fundraising efforts, ensuring that the funds she raises are directed toward creating real, lasting impact for systemically excluded young people.
Rising Star Award
Ashton Barlow
Development Director
Isabella Santos Foundation
Charlotte, North Carolina
Her nominator said: Her journey from a dedicated volunteer to a vital leader at ISF illustrates her passion, commitment and ability to make a tangible difference in the lives of children facing rare cancers.
Unsung Hero Award
Tamara Carlisle
Board Member
Central Texas Table of Grace
Round Rock, Texas
Her nominator said: Her relentless hard work and dedication to the children and young adults at CTTG have made a lasting impact on our organization, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her on our team.
Unsung Hero Award
Sandy Giardi
Director of Communications
The Home for Little Wanderers
Boston
Her nominator said: The volume of content Sandy produces is extraordinary, with each piece meeting the highest standards and captivating our audiences.
If you know a nonprofit professional worth of recognition, be sure to nominate them for our 2025 awards. We’ll begin accepting nominations for the 2025 NonProfit Professionals of the Year Awards in the summer of 2025. To be the first to know when that happens and receive the announcement in your inbox, subscribe to NonProfit PRO's e-newsletter.
