2024 Impact Award Winners Recognized at MILLSUMMIT
As part of this year’s #MILLSUMMIT, 10 extraordinary leaders who are embracing the fundamentals, inspiring others to get involved, and have spurred impact in Delaware communities over the past year will be recognized. On August 6th, the Impact Award Recipients will be recognized at the Leadership Dinner. Listed below are each winner’s biographies:
Andrew Truscott
Andy Truscott, Marketing and Communications Program Officer at Delaware Division of the Arts, has spent the last 11 years promoting and uplifting the arts in Delaware. He has worked in Delaware’s non-profit arts sector since 2012 at several organizations, like the Delaware Theatre Company, The Grand Opera House, and the inWilmington campaign. He is committed to fostering community engagement and inclusivity within the arts by spearheading initiatives that bring the arts to underserved populations or by facilitating meaningful collaborations between Delaware artists and local communities.
A marketing and fundraising professional who's passionate about leveraging data-driven solutions to drive sustainable business growth, Andy has experience working with organizations ranging from startups to $10M arts organizations, using a skillset that's focused on helping organizations optimize their operations and achieve their ticket and donation goals.
Ashley Rice
Ashley Rice is a former Radio Host and TV News Reporter turned homeschooling mom and founder of Natural Nest Play Cafe. A Chicago native with a Bachelor's in Communication Studies and a Master's in Emerging Media from Loyola University Maryland, Ashley's career includes impactful roles at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and television stations such as KTVO, WAND-TV, TMJ4 Milwaukee, and WCIU Chicago. Renowned for her dynamic presence and storytelling skills, Ashley now resides in Delaware, where she passionately homeschools her children and runs the innovative Natural Nest Play Cafe, blending her media expertise with her entrepreneurial spirit. Natural Nest Play Cafe is a place for parents to take their young children to explore a fun and exciting play area. There are currently three thriving locations, all of which provide a nurturing environment for families. Parents can relax or work and enjoy organic beverages and snacks while children are provided with Montessori based toys and other holistic activities.
Cierra Hipkins
Cierra Hall-Hipkins is a shining example of how a single individual can positively impact their community. Possessing a strong commitment to improving the lives of those around her, Cierra has dedicated her career to helping others. Cierra has a bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and a wealth of experience in leadership positions. She has over 10 years of experience in leadership positions at multiple nonprofit organizations.
Her nonprofit Network Connect has helped many in the city of Wilmington of all ages. Network Connect is a nonprofit that takes a community connection, resource building, and information awareness approach to youth and family development with community at its center. Cierra’s passion for giving back to the community has made an immense impact on the community.
Karen Lucas
Karen Lucas Bravo is a market research specialist and coordinator for the Delaware Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. With a career dating back to 2012, Karen has accumulated experience in commercial management and sales training, in addition to being a manager specializing in the technology area.
She graduated with a degree in Graphic Communication and Market Research; Karen has worked on various important projects, leading teams and developing effective business strategies that have driven growth and innovation in the technology sector in her native Colombia. She has brought the same dedication to the state of Delaware where she works with first generation Americans starting their own new business ventures. She owns her own business, a Hispanic restaurant in the area, which means she understands firsthand the needs of the business community she serves.
Through her connections throughout the state and in her professional career, Karen is known for her commitment to the development of the Hispanic community in Delaware, supporting initiatives that promote growth and collaboration between all local entrepreneurs.
Mayda Berrios
Mayda Berrios, Founder and Owner of "In Her Shoes LLC," is a distinguished professional speaker traveling the United States, recognized for her award-winning presentations. A graduate of Delaware State University, she holds both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work. Mayda actively engages in the Child Welfare realm as a now Foster Parent Licensing Specialist where she works diligently to recruit foster families. Mayda's impactful keynote presentations draw from her personal experience in foster care. Her extensive knowledge of child welfare systems is shared not only in youth and school groups but also in events tailored for adults. As she continues her journey with "In Her Shoes LLC," Mayda Berrios remains a beacon of inspiration, utilizing her expertise to enlighten and empower audiences nationwide.
Randall Law
Randall Law, the force behind Kool Kolored Kid Generation LLC, emerges as a multifaceted trailblazer from Wilmington, Delaware. A fusion of artistic vision, entrepreneurial spirit, and community dedication defines his remarkable journey. His portfolio spans across mediums: captivating audiences in national commercials. Randall's creative prowess transcends the stage and screen, leaving an indelible mark on every project. Recognition follows his footsteps, with accolades such as the Delaware Business Times 40 under 40 award and the esteemed 400 Years of African American History Commission Award in 2023.
Not content with personal success, Randall channels his energy into empowering others. His involvement with initiatives like the "100 Pairs to Give Back to School Empowerment Giveaway" and the Delcastle Technical High commercial competition, partnering with the Delaware Blue Coats, Formal Affairs of Newark, and Morgan’s of Delaware, showcases his commitment to fostering education and opportunity in different communities. Beyond philanthropy, Randall is a dynamic force, engaging in motivational speaking, content production, and even composing jingles. He embodies his guiding principle: "It's a responsibility to become great at whatever you do," inspiring others to pursue excellence with fervor and creativity. Randall Law's journey exemplifies the transformative power of perseverance, passion, and a commitment to making a difference.
Sarah Spangler Rhine
Sarah Rhine has dedicated her career to working for social change in the nonprofit sector, as a legal aid attorney and policy advocate. Prior to working at Community Legal Aid Society, Inc., Sarah was the Policy Director at Housing Alliance Delaware where she addressed issues of affordable housing and homelessness in Delaware. Sarah has also supervised a Self-Help program in Maryland as an employee of Maryland Center for Legal Assistance, worked at Disability Rights Maryland in the Mental Health Unit, and worked at the Homeless Persons Representation Project as a housing attorney. Additionally, she has taught in the paralegal program at Delaware Technical Community College.
She is currently the managing attorney of the Housing Unit at CLASI; a statewide nonprofit legal aid organization providing free civil legal services to people with low incomes facing eviction, homelessness, housing discrimination, and unsafe living conditions. Her efforts, mostly behind the scenes, have already made a huge impact on thousands of people’s lives, both on the individual level through her direct assistance to families facing eviction and housing instability, and on a systemic level through her leadership development efforts and policy and legislative advocacy.
Shelby Farris
A rising sophomore at Washington College in Chestertown, MD, Shelby Farris is the founder and executive director of Students for Educational Equity in the US (SEE US). After being the victim of discrimination and harassment in school after coming out, Shelby set out to empower students to become advocates for equitable, inclusive, and affirming spaces while also providing student-led professional development to educational professionals through their Proud Schools project.
Tamara Brown
Tamara Brown is a vibrant, joyous, results-driven professional with a nearly 20-year progressive and distinguished career in nonprofit leadership and philanthropy. Tamara earned a BA in Urban Studies and Political Science from Temple University and an MPA from Widener University where she was the first person to pass all comprehensive exams with distinction. She also holds an advanced Graduate Certificate of Philanthropy and Non-Profit Management from Loyola University Chicago.
Tamara is a Program Officer at Longwood Foundation where she builds the foundation's approach to Nonprofit Capacity Building, anchored in supporting nonprofit leaders and their organizations. As a senior leader and previous manager of teams who leads by listening, she is commonly requested to launch new initiatives or expand business. In her current role, she is excited to witness the transformative power of Delaware’s nonprofit leaders through Catalysts Together, a leadership program she co-designed with nonprofit executives.
Taylor Drainer
Taylor is the Immediate Past President of the Junior League of Wilmington, DE (JLW). For the last 3 years, she has served on the JLW Board and championed its period equity efforts through its Stand Up. Period. initiative. During her 18-month presidency, Taylor led the most diverse Board in the League's history. Under her leadership, the League distributed over 149,000 period supplies via 11 community partners which served over 5,000 people. She is currently the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Chair. Professionally, she is a Strategic Communications Manager at Trinity Health. Taylor holds an MBA with a concentration in Marketing Management
