TASH Past Awardees
Past recipients of TASH’s awards are organized below in two ways: you can view who was recognized each year grouped by the award or you can view all honorees in a give year grouped by year.
To learn more about each award and to submit a nomination (when nominations are open), you can visit TASH’s Awards Recognition main page.
Awardees by Award
Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader
| Year |
Awardee |
| 2025 |
Megan Best |
| 2024 |
Hannah Brenner |
| 2023 |
Emily Malouf |
| 2022 |
Michele Schutz |
| 2021 |
Kristin Krupa Burnette |
| 2020 |
Katie M. McCabe |
| 2019 |
Samantha Gross-Toews |
| 2018 |
Kathryn Burke |
| 2017 |
Jennifer Bumble |
| 2016 |
Elizabeth Biggs |
| 2015 |
Jenny Root |
| 2014 |
Samantha Goldman |
| 2013 |
Matthew Brock |
| 2012 |
Jody Pirtle |
Barbara R. Trader Leadership
| Year |
Awardee |
| 2025 |
Jean Gonsier-Gerdin |
| 2024 |
Jennifer Lengyel |
| 2023 |
Robert Stack |
| 2022 |
Cesilee Coulson |
| 2021 |
Donald N. Cardinal |
| 2020 |
Ruby Moore |
| 2019 |
Shirley Rodriguez |
| 2018 |
David Westling |
| 2017 |
Kathy Gee |
| 2016 |
Gail Fanjoy |
| 2015 |
Barb Trader (inaugural awardee) |
Early Career Researcher Award
| Year |
Awardee |
| 2025 |
Alison Zagona |
| 2024 |
Magen Rooney |
| 2023 |
Grace Francis |
| 2022 |
Robin Dodds |
| 2021 |
Virginia Walker |
| 2020 |
Matthew Brock |
| 2019 |
Andrea Rupper |
| 2018 |
Jennifer Kurth (inaugural awardee) |
June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education
| Year |
Awardee |
| 2025 |
Jacqueline Kearns |
| 2024 |
Deborah Taub |
| 2023 |
Kate Cavanaugh |
| 2022 |
Diane Ryndak |
| 2021 |
Stevenson Elementary School |
| 2019 |
Dr. Stephanie MacFarland and Mrs. Azam Anet |
| 2018 |
Lisa Yamasaki |
| 2017 |
Megan Gross |
| 2016 |
Creative Minds International Public Charter School and Founder, Golnar Abedin |
| 2015 |
Jennifer Cooper |
| 2014 |
Larry Clark, Jahlieh Henderson and Carolyn Teigland |
| 2013 |
Mara Gonzalez |
| 2012 |
Administrator – Caroline Butler, Maple Wood Elementary, Somersworth, NH
Advocate – Linda Quintanilha, Bennington, NH
School – Willard Middle School, Berkeley, CA
District – Stoughton Area School District, Stoughton, WI |
Larry J. Brumond Supportive Relationship
| Year |
Awardee |
| 2024 |
Ava Thurman and Edna Wordsworth |
| 2023 |
Martin Moyet and Isaac Sugar |
| 2022 |
Kathy Bunch and Phillip Boatner |
| 2021 |
Jason Buck and Lanny Bradley |
| 2020 |
Kelly McKinley and Ann Dittmeier |
| 2019 |
Scott Shepard and Dan Heldoorn |
| 2018 |
Paul Rule and Scott Newman |
| 2017 |
Brenda Miranda and Mitchell Avrech |
| 2016 |
Deborah Gates and Mary Pat Moore |
| 2015 |
not awarded |
| 2014 |
John Jackson and Steve Schriebner |
| 2013 |
Andreas Yuan and Jason Guymon |
| 2012 |
Ingrid Stone and Susan Lucia |
Marc Gold Employment
| Year |
Awardee |
| 2025 |
Taryn Mackenzie Williams |
| 2024 |
John Butterworth |
| 2023 |
Rebecca Salon |
| 2022 |
Lisa Mills |
| 2021 |
Olegario D. Cantos VII |
| 2020 |
Hope Dittmeier |
| 2019 |
Karen Lee |
| 2018 |
Marion Curry |
| 2017 |
Joy Hopkins and Jean Searle |
| 2016 |
Disability Rights Oregon, Cathy Costanzo, Steve Schwartz, and the following nine plaintiffs from the class action lawsuit, Lane v. Brown: Paula Lane, Andres Paniagua, Elizabeth Harrah, Angela Kehler, Gretchen Cason, Lori Robertson, Sparkle Green, Zavier Kinville, and Ross Ryan |
| 2015 |
Jennifer Briggs |
| 2013 |
Milton Tyree |
| 2012 |
Chris Button, ODEP (inaugural awardee) |
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
| Year |
Awardee |
| 2025 |
Megan Carpenter |
| 2020 |
Daniel Crimmins |
| 2017 |
Virginia Walker |
| 2015 |
Nancy Weiss |
| 2014 |
Commissioner Elin Howe |
Positive Images in the Media
| Year |
Awardee |
| 2025 |
Advocates in Action Rhode Island, Best Judgement: LADD School Lessons |
| 2024 |
Christina Cannarella (Mother Road Studios), Kind of a Big Deal |
| 2023 |
Diana Pastora Carson |
| 2022 |
My Disability Roadmap |
| 2021 |
This is Not About Me, by Marco Niemeijer |
| 2020 |
Hearts of Glass, by Jennifer Tennican |
| 2019 |
Zack Gottsagen, The Peanut Butter Falcon |
| 2018 |
Deej and Intelligent Lives |
| 2017 |
Unspoken (documentary), starring Emma Zurcher-Long |
| 2016 |
Kelly’s Hollywood (documentary), by Brian Donovan |
| 2015 |
Becoming Bulletproof |
| 2014 |
S.C. Pinney, playwright, The Ghosts of Mariposa
Theresa Vargas, The Washington Post |
| 2013 |
Just Like You – Down Syndrome, by Just Like You Films, Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City |
| 2012 |
National – Pierre Tétrault Media for the film, The ‘R’ Word
Regional – Avalon Films for the video series, Possibilities |
Ralph Edwards Diversity and Social Impact
| Year |
Awardee |
| 2025 |
Pauline Bosma |
| 2024 |
Christine Bechtel |
| 2023 |
Oanh Thi Thu Bui |
| 2022 |
David Taylor |
| 2021 |
Tina M. Campanella |
| 2020 |
Tawara D. Goode |
| 2019 |
Ginger Kwan (not present; award accepted by Open Doors for Multicultural Families delegation) |
| 2018 |
Ralph Edwards (inaugural awardee) |
Lifetime Achievement Award
| Year |
Awardee |
| 2025 |
Ricardo Thornton |
| 2024 |
Allan Bergman |
| 2023 |
Bob Williams |
| 2022 |
Madeleine Will |
| 2021 |
Wayne Sailor |
| 2020 |
John and Connie Lyle O’Brien |
| 2019 |
Frank Laski |
| 2018 |
Jim Conroy |
| 2017 |
Ann and Rud Turnbull |
Awardees by Year
2025 Denver, Colorado
| Award |
Awardee |
| Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader: |
Megan Best |
| Barbara R. Trader Leadership: |
Jean Gonsier-Gerdin |
| Early Career Researcher: |
Alison Zagona |
| June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education: |
Jacqueline Kearns |
| Marc Gold Employment: |
Taryn Mackenzie Williams |
| Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: |
Megan Carpenter |
| Positive Images in the Media: |
Advocates in Action Rhode Island, Best Judgement: LADD School Lessons |
| Ralph Edwards Diversity and Social Impact: |
Pauline Bosma |
| Lifetime Achievement: |
Ricardo Thornton |
2024 New Orleans, Louisiana
| Award |
Awardee |
| Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader: |
Hannah Brenner |
| Barbara R. Trader Leadership: |
Jennifer Lengyel |
| Early Career Researcher: |
Magen Rooney |
| June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education: |
Deborah Taub |
| Larry J. Brumond Supportive Relationship: |
Ava Thurman & Edna Wordsworth |
| Marc Gold Employment: |
John Butterworth |
| Positive Images in the Media: |
Christina Cannarella (Mother Road Studios), Kind of a Big Deal |
| Ralph Edwards Diversity and Social Impact: |
Christine Bechtel |
| Lifetime Achievement Award: |
Allan Bergman |
2023 Baltimore, Maryland
| Award |
Awardee |
| Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader: |
Emily Malouf |
| Barbara R. Trader Leadership: |
Robert Stack |
| Early Career Researcher: |
Grace Francis |
| June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education: |
Kate Cavanaugh |
| Larry J. Brumond Supportive Relationship: |
Martin Moyet and Isaac Sugar |
| Marc Gold Employment: |
Rebecca Salon |
| Positive Images in the Media: |
Diana Pastora Carson |
| Ralph Edwards Diversity and Social Impact: |
Oanh Thi Thu Bui |
| Lifetime Achievement Award: |
Bob Williams |
2022 Phoenix, Arizona
| Award |
Awardee |
| Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader: |
Michele Schutz |
| Barbara R. Trader Leadership: |
Cesilee Coulson |
| Early Career Researcher: |
Robin Dodds |
| June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education: |
Diane Ryndak |
| Larry J. Brumond Supportive Relationship: |
Kathy Bunch and Phillip Boatner |
| Marc Gold Employment: |
Lisa Mills |
| Positive Images in the Media: |
My Disability Roadmap |
| Ralph Edwards Diversity and Social Impact: |
David Taylor |
| Lifetime Achievement Award: |
Madeleine Will |
2021 virtual
| Award |
Awardee |
| Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader: |
Kristin Krupa Burnette |
| Barbara R. Trader Leadership: |
Donald N. Cardinal |
| Early Career Researcher: |
Virginia Walker |
| June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education: |
Stevenson Elementary School |
| Larry J. Brumond Supportive Relationship: |
Jason Buck and Lanny Bradley |
| Marc Gold Employment: |
Olegario D. Cantos VII |
| Positive Images in the Media: |
This is Not About Me, by Marco Niemeijer |
| Ralph Edwards Diversity and Social Impact: |
Tina M. Campanella |
| Lifetime Achievement Award: |
Wayne Sailor |
2020 virtual
| Award |
Awardee |
| Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader: |
Katie M. McCabe |
| Barbara R. Trader Leadership: |
Ruby Moore |
| Early Career Researcher: |
Matthew Brock |
| Larry J. Brumond Supportive Relationship: |
Kelly McKinley and Ann Dittmeier |
| Marc Gold Employment: |
Hope Dittmeier |
| Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports: |
Daniel Crimmins |
| Positive Images in the Media: |
Hearts of Glass, by Jennifer Tennican |
| Ralph Edwards Diversity and Social Impact: |
Tawara D. Goode |
| Lifetime Achievement Award: |
John and Connie Lyle O’Brien |
2019 Phoenix, Arizona
| Award |
Awardee |
| Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader: |
Samantha Gross-Toews |
| Barbara R. Trader Leadership: |
Shirley Rodriguez |
| Early Career Researcher: |
Andrea Rupper |
| June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education: |
Dr. Stephanie MacFarland and Mrs. Azam Anet |
| Larry J. Brumond Supportive Relationship: |
Scott Shepard and Dan Heldoorn |
| Marc Gold Employment: |
Karen Lee |
| Positive Images in the Media: |
Zack Gottsagen, The Peanut Butter Falcon |
| Ralph Edwards Diversity and Social Impact: |
Ginger Kwan (not present; award accepted by Open Doors for Multicultural Families delegation) |
| Lifetime Achievement Award: |
Frank Laski |
| Special Recognition Award: |
Chernet Weldeab |
2018 Portland, Oregon
| Award |
Awardee |
| Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader: |
Kathryn Burke |
| Barbara R. Trader Leadership: |
David Westling |
| Early Career Researcher: |
Jennifer Kurth (inaugural awardee) |
| June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education: |
Lisa Yamasaki |
| Larry J. Brumond Supportive Relationship: |
Paul Rule and Scott Newman |
| Marc Gold Employment: |
Marion Curry |
| Positive Images in the Media: |
Deej and Intelligent Lives |
| Ralph Edwards Diversity and Social Impact: |
Ralph Edwards (inaugural awardee) |
| Lifetime Achievement Award: |
Jim Conroy |
| TASH Ambassador of the Year Award: |
Tony Sampson |
2017 Atlanta, Georgia
| Award |
Awardee |
| Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader: |
Jennifer Bumble |
| Barbara R. Trader Leadership: |
Kathy Gee |
| June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education: |
Megan Gross |
| Larry J. Brumond Supportive Relationship: |
Brenda Miranda and Mitchell Avrech |
| Marc Gold Employment: |
Joy Hopkins and Jean Searle |
| Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports: |
Virginia Walker |
| Positive Images in the Media: |
Unspoken, starring Emma Zurcher-Long |
| Lifetime Achievement Award: |
Ann and Rud Turnbull |
2016 St. Louis, Missouri
| Award |
Awardee |
| Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader: |
Elizabeth Biggs |
| Barbara R. Trader Leadership: |
Gail Fanjoy |
| June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education: |
Creative Minds International Public Charter School and Founder, Golnar Abedin |
| Larry J. Brumond Supportive Relationship: |
Deborah Gates and Mary Pat Moore |
| Marc Gold Employment: |
Disability Rights Oregon, Cathy Costanzo, Steve Schwartz, and the following nine plaintiffs from the class action lawsuit, Lane v. Brown: Paula Lane, Andres Paniagua, Elizabeth Harrah, Angela Kehler, Gretchen Cason, Lori Robertson, Sparkle Green, Zavier Kinville, and Ross Ryan |
| Positive Images in the Media: |
Kelly’s Hollywood, by Brian Donovan |
2015 Portland, Oregon
| Award |
Awardee |
| Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader: |
Jenny Root |
| Barbara R. Trader Leadership: |
Barb Trader (inaugural awardee) |
| June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education: |
Jennifer Cooper |
| Larry J. Brumond Supportive Relationship: |
not awarded |
| Marc Gold Employment: |
Jennifer Briggs |
| Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports: |
Nancy Weiss |
| Positive Images in the Media: |
Becoming Bulletproof |
2014 Washington, D.C.
| Award |
Awardee |
| Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader: |
Samantha Goldman |
| June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education: |
Larry Clark, Administrator
Carolyn Teigland, Administrator
Jahlieh Henderson, Educator |
| Larry J. Brumond Supportive Relationship: |
John Jackson and Steve Schriebner |
| Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports: |
Commissioner Elin Howe |
| Positive Images in the Media: |
S.C. Pinney, playwright, The Ghosts of Mariposa
Theresa Vargas, The Washington Post |
2013 Chicago, Illinois
| Award |
Awardee |
| Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader: |
Matthew Brock |
| June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education: |
Mara Gonzalez |
| Larry J. Brumond Supportive Relationship: |
Andreas Yuan and Jason Guymon |
| Marc Gold Employment: |
Milton Tyree |
| Positive Images in the Media: |
Just Like You – Down Syndrome, by Just Like You Films, Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City |
2012 Long Beach, California
| Award |
Awardee |
| Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader: |
Jody Pirtle |
| June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education: |
Administrator – Caroline Butler, Maple Wood Elementary, Somersworth, NH
Advocate – Linda Quintanilha, Bennington, NH
School – Willard Middle School, Berkeley, CA
District – Stoughton Area School District, Stoughton, WI |
| Larry J. Brumond Supportive Relationship: |
Ingrid Stone and Susan Lucia (Kirkville, New York) |
| Marc Gold Employment: |
Chris Button, ODEP |
| Positive Images in the Media: |
National – Pierre Tétrault Media for the film, The ‘R’ Word
Regional – Avalon Films for the video series, Possibilities |
