GREATER PHILADELPHIA INNOVATIONS AWARD FINALISTS


The Social Innovations Journal is delighted to announce that voting for the annual 2025 Greater Philadelphia Social Innovations Awards is now open!


AWARD FINALISTS

INNOVATIONS IN SYSTEMS AND STRATEGIES

SOCIAL INVESTORS: Innovative strategies driving capital to those who need it most

  • Tobi Bruhn, Foundations Community Partnership

  • Matt Cabrey, Ideas x Innovation Network (i2n)

  • Lauren Sustersic, Project W a program of The Community's Foundation

  • Bev Weinberg, Integrate for Good

  • Tanya Morris, Mom Your Business

  • Jill Tuck, Phnx Tree Collective

SOCIETAL IMPACT: Innovative approaches that respond to the needs of people and society

  • Jennifer Graham, Regional American Red Cross of Southeastern PA

  • Nina Guzman, Alianzas de Phoenixville

  • Kristin Motley, HealthEducated

  • Upper Merion Township Library

  • Jade Lee-Bradley, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)

  • BradleyDebbie Wei, Asian Americans United

PARTNERSHIPS: Innovative cross-sector partnerships addressing complex social and environmental issues

  • The Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership

  • Volunteer English Program

  • Cyrise Dixon, Safer Communities Stronger Neighborhoods

  • Jumpstart Program

  • Ramona Rousseau-Reid, Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition

  • Josh Klaris, North 10 Philadelphia

EQUITY and JUSTICE: Innovative models that ensure we live in a more equitable and just society

  • Bucks-Mont Collaborative

  • Brenda Russell, Fiorenza's Food for Friends

  • Kyle McIntyre, U.D.T.J

  • Muneera Walker, Neighbors Helping Neighbors on the Main Line (NHN)

  • Sulaiman Rahman, DiverseForce On Boards

  • Women's Way


INNOVATIONS IN SOCIAL MOBILITY

WORKFORCE and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Innovative models leading to earning a living wage, economic freedom, and community economic development

  • Paula Fasciano, Bake Ability

  • The HC Opportunity Center

  • Mojdeh Keykhah, Women’s Resource Center

  • Michelle Hang, Digital Literacy Program

  • Dan LaSalle, The Niche Clinic

  • Soneyet Muhammad, Episcopal Community Services

EDUCATION ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Innovative ideas to develop new ways to advance education in novel and meaningful directions

  • Beryl Katz, Senior Adults for Greater Education

  • Communities That Care of Greater Downingtown

  • Mike Rounds, Williamson Trade School

  • Heather Riley and Alison Sobel, Hive & Thrive

  • Jennifer Sybrant, Congreso de Latinos Unidos

  • Philadelphia Financial Scholars


INNOVATIONS IN HUMAN SERVICES

COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Innovative service models leading to emotional, psychological, and social well-being

  • Amy Nemirow, Clinical Director for the PA Office of Developmental Programs

  • Chelsea Kunkel, Chester County ACEs Coalition

  • Brian Corson, MVP Recovery

  • Fran Held, Mitzvah Circle

  • Danielle Griffith, The Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund

  • Sailaja Musunuri, Mollie Woods Hare Global Center of Excellence for IDD, Autism and Mental Health

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Innovative service models leading to stable/permanent housing

  • Pete Pasquarella, YWCA of Bucks County

  • Ken Hutton, Housing Partnership of Chester County

  • Amy Komarnicki, Media Fellowship House

  • Kimberly Krauter, HDC MidAtlantic

  • Sister Bethany Welch, St. Joseph’s House Dax Program

  • Happi Grillon, CASA-Philadelphia


INNOVATIONS IN HEALTHY LIVING

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES AND ENVIRONMENT: Innovative models integrating Health Care with the Social Determinants of Health and/or models addressing fresh and clean air, drinking water, and sustainable land

  • Brandi Stewart, Family Service Association of Bucks County

  • Regional American Red Cross of Southeastern PA

  • Oliver Bass, Natural Lands

  • Center for Loss and Bareavement

  • Carol Simmons, Black Farmers Co-Operative

  • Joseph Syrnick, Schuylkill River Development Corporation

HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS AND NUTRITION. Innovative providing affordable, accessible, and healthy food

  • Tony D’Orazio and Amy D’Orazio, Carversville Farm Foundation

  • Jennifer Anderson, Trellis for Tomorrow

  • Jen Malkoun, Greener Partners

  • Upper Marion Cup Board

  • MoNique Holland, Black Farmers CO-OP and Eastwick Friends & Neighbor Coalition

  • Ben Miller, 62nd & Reinhard St Gardens

YOUNG PEOPLE: Innovative Models in Engaging Young People and/or Young People Social Innovators creating change and impact

  • Josh Fields, The Next Step Program

  • Rohit Lobo and Nethra Ramesh, Project Clean Slate

  • Ellen Fisher, Young Entrepreneurs Academy (Philadelphia)

  • Girls First

  • Sarah Morris, YASP

  • Ariel Bella Goodwin, Journeying Barefoot