Recognizing public officials who champion the work of nonprofits
The Phyllis Campbell Newsome Public Policy Leadership Award was named in honor of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement’s former director of advocacy and community relations after her untimely passing in 2003. The award was created to highlight the work of elected and non-elected officials who have gone above and beyond in partnership with the nonprofit sector to ensure more vibrant communities.
Each year, the Center honors four public officials with this award. One official is recognized from each of the jurisdictions the Center supports including, the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
Congratulations to our 2024 winners!
District of Columbia: Zachary Parker
Since taking office in January of 2023, Zachary has delivered for Ward 5 residents through responsive constituent services and significant budget wins. He has introduced dozens of transformative pieces of legislation, including bills to establish the District’s State Superintendent of Education’s School Support Office to improve low-performing schools, and the District Child Tax Credit which provides low-income and middle-class families fully refundable tax credits for children 17 years of age and younger.
Prince George’s County: Emmett V. Jordan
Emmett V. Jordan, now in his seventh term on Greenbelt’s City Council, has lived in the city for 20 years. He was the first African-American on the council in 2009. Originally from Cincinnati, Jordan holds a B.S. in Urban Administration, with additional public administration studies and fellowships in municipal governance. With over 25 years in project management, he has worked with the Smithsonian, University of Maryland, and United Negro College Fund. Jordan has also served on boards for the National League of Cities and Maryland Municipal League.
Montgomery County: Natali Fani-Gonzalez
Natali Fani-González brings extensive government experience and a commitment to economic opportunity to the Montgomery County Council. Until August 2021, she served as Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board, overseeing real estate, transportation, and parks. In her seven years, she helped grow the County’s life sciences sector and supported small, local, and immigrant-owned businesses through various master plans, including those for the Great Seneca Science Corridor, White Flint, Bethesda, and others.
Virginia: Catherine S. Read
Catherine S. Read, in her first term as Mayor, serves on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, NVTC, NVTA, and NVRC, as well as advisory boards for the Virginia Poverty Law Center and Equality Virginia PAC. A Fairfax resident since 2000, she has worked with local nonprofits on advocacy and hosts shows for Fairfax Public Access. She holds a B.A. in Government and Politics from George Mason University and was recently elected to the Schar School Alumni Chapter Board for 2024-26.