Since 1972 the Jefferson Awards Foundation (JAF) has recognized a host of national public figures for their outstanding contributions to our country and its communities. Nationally, the Jefferson Award is the country's highest honor for service and volunteerism, and honorees—individuals including such notable figures as Barbara Bush, Oprah Winfrey, and Bill and Melinda Gates—make up a storied group of American heroes whose dedication to service has inspired others to lead.
JAF’s goal in SC is to cultivate the next generation of our state’s servant leaders. With that goal in mind, the organization has selected the 2019 class of ChangeMakers—15 individuals in the Upstate age 40 and under—who have demonstrated a commitment to service and the potential to truly move the Upstate forward.
The inaugural ChangeMakers class will kick off in early February with a reception and networking event for the 15 honorees and their guests. Throughout the spring these ChangeMakers will work both individually and as a cohort to raise financial support for Students In Action, JAF’s youth leadership development program that uses service-learning as the vehicle for arming high schoolers with the life skills they need to be successful in college and the workforce. These 15 ChangeMakers will also participate in volunteer, community, and other networking activities each month with the goal of raising awareness and inspiring even more young leaders to do their part. The program will culminate in May 2019 with a celebration event, recognizing each of the 15 honorees with a Jefferson Award and celebrating all they have accomplished to make a difference in the Upstate.
JAF is proud to announce the 2019 class of ChangeMakers:
Angela Rodriguez Sawyer
Realtor
Wilson Associates
Dan Weidenbenner
Executive Director
Mill Community Ministries
David Sigmon, CCIM
Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker Commercial Caine
Doug Webb
General Counsel
The School District of Greenville County
Jada Magiera
HR Business Partner
Propel HR
Jessica Sharp
Capacity Building Specialist
SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Kimbrell Hughes
Associate
Hughes Investments, Inc.
Marianne Shaddrix
Grant Funding Manager
Goodwill Industries
Matthew Foster
Managing Partner
Carolina Moves
Paola Gutierrez
Rural Health Action Plan Lead Strategist
South Carolina Office of Rural Health
Ramon Nieves-Lugo
Principal
Unicomm Media Group
Shaniece Criss
Health Science Faculty; City Council
Furman University; City of Travelers Rest
Stephen Pelcher
Senior Manager
Elliott Davis, LLC
Tavares Durrah
Investor Development Manager
Greenville Chamber of Commerce
Winston Irwin Marosek
Of Counsel, Attorney
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP
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