| GREATER PHILADELPHIA – On Thursday, January 30, 2025, The Social Innovations Journal (SIJ) hosted the 2025 Greater Philadelphia Innovation Awards (www.philadelphiainnovationawards.com) where Greater Philadelphia’s Social Sector Leaders presented the 2025 66 Finalists and Winners (https://www.philadelphiainnovationawards.com/2025-awards) selected through an open nomination and voted upon by over 7000 residents of Greater Philadelphia.
  The theme of the awards, “Achieving a More Just Society,” recognizes organic leadership who re-envision the challenges that communities face and find innovative solutions to reshape communities. Social Innovators create change through innovative programs, policies, and by revolutionizing realities to bring us all forward to a more equitable and inclusive tomorrow — today. Nikolaj Hansen-Turton, Manager of The Greater Philadelphia Innovation Awards, stated “The theme of the 2025 Awards represents the idea that genuine innovation is propelled by the social sector, and through this innovation, changemakers create a more balanced and fair society.”
Nicholas Torres, Co-Founder of the Social Innovations Journal stated, “these awards honor our region’s most passionate social innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers whose work and social impact too often goes unacknowledged, yet their efforts are what makes our communities across Greater Philadelphia the thriving region of innovation and opportunity they are for all people. We are very honored to again welcome Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties into the process.” Tine Hansen-Turton, Co-Founder stated “the 2025 awards represent 12 years of The Greater Philadelphia Innovations Awards where we have introduced over 800 Social Innovators.”
The Social Innovation Awards have been sponsored by the regions organizational social sector leaders including: Woods System of Care; The Science Center; Patricia Kind Family Foundation; The Montgomery County Foundation Inc.; The Foundation for Delaware County; Homestead Smart Health Plans; Johnson Kendall Johnson; Legacy Treatment Services; Vanguard; Regional Foundation; harp-weaver LLC; Chester County United Way; UPENN Social Policy and Practice; UPenn GSE; and Graduate Philadelphia.
The Winners are…
SOCIAL INVESTORS: Innovative strategies driving capital to those who need it most
1st: Tanya Morris, Mom Your Business
2nd: Matt Cabrey, Ideas x Innovation Network (i2n)
3rd: Bev Weinberg, Integrate for Good
RUNNERS UP:
Tobi Bruhn, Foundations Community Partnership
Lauren Sustersic, Project W a program of The Community’s Foundation
Jill Tuck, Phnx Tree Collective
SOCIETAL IMPACT: Innovative approaches that respond to the needs of people and society
1st: Kristin Motley, HealthEducated
2nd: Upper Merion Township Library
3rd: Jade Lee-Bradley, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
RUNNERS UP:
Nina Guzman, Alianzas de Phoenixville
Jennifer Graham, Regional American Red Cross of Southeastern PA
Debbie Wei, Asian Americans United
PARTNERSHIPS: Innovative cross-sector partnerships addressing complex social and environmental issues
1st: The Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership
2nd: Cyrise Dixon, Safer Communities Stronger Neighborhoods
3rd: Jumpstart Program
RUNNERS UP:
Volunteer English Program
Josh Klaris, North 10 Philadelphia
Ramona Rousseau-Reid, Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition
EQUITY and JUSTICE: Innovative models that ensure we live in a more equitable and just society
1st: Kyle McIntyre, U.D.T.J.
2nd: Muneera Walker, Neighbors Helping Neighbors on the Main Line (NHN)
3rd: Brenda Russell, Fiorenza’s Food for Friends
RUNNERS UP:
Women’s Way
Bucks-Mont Collaborative
Sulaiman Rahman, DiverseForce On Boards
WORKFORCE and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Innovative models leading to earning a living wage, economic freedom, and economic community development
1st: Paula Fasciano, Bake Ability
2nd: The HC Opportunity Center
3rd: Michelle Hang, Digital Literacy Program
RUNNERS UP:
Soneyet Muhammad, Episcopal Community Services
Dan LaSalle, The Niche Clinic
Mojdeh Keykhah, Women’s Resource Center
EDUCATION ENTREPRENEURSHIP. Innovative ideas to develop new ways to advance education in novel and meaningful directions
1st: Jennifer Sybrant, Congreso de Latinos Unidos
2nd: Heather Riley and Alison Sobel, Hive & Thrive
3rd: Mike Rounds, Williamson Trade School
RUNNERS UP:
Communities That Care of Greater Downingtown
Beryl Katz, Senior Adults for Greater Education
Philadelphia Financial Scholars
COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. Innovative models leading to emotional, psychological, and social well-being
1st: Danielle Griffith, The Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund
2nd: Fran Held, Mitzvah Circle
3rd: Sailaja Musunuri, Mollie Woods Hare Global Center of Excellence for IDD, Autism and Mental Health
RUNNERS UP:
Chelsea Kunkel, Chester County ACEs Coalition
Amy Nemirow, Clinical Director for the PA Office of Developmental Programs
Brian Corson, MVP Recovery
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. Innovative models leading to stable/permanent and sustainable housing.
1st: Kimberly Krauter, HDC MidAtlantic
2nd: Ken Hutton, Housing Partnership of Chester County
3rd: Happi Grillon, CASA-Philadelphia
RUNNERS UP:
Pete Pasquarella, YWCA of Bucks County
Sister Bethany Welch, St. Joseph’s House Dax Program
Amy Komarnicki, Media Fellowship House
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.
1st: Carol Simmons, Black Farmers Co-Operative
2nd: Regional American Red Cross of Southeastern PA
3rd: Center for Loss and Bereavement
RUNNERS UP:
Brandi Stewart, Family Service Association of Bucks County
Joseph Syrnick, Schuylkill River Development Corporation
Oliver Bass, Natural Lands
HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS AND NUTRITION. Innovative providing affordable, accessible, and healthy food.
1st: Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard
2nd: Jennifer Anderson, Trellis for Tomorrow
3rd: MoNique Holland, Black Farmers CO-OP and Eastwick Friends & Neighbor Coalition
RUNNERS UP:
Tony D’Orazio and Amy D’Orazio, Carversville Farm Foundation
Ben Miller, 62nd & Reinhard St Gardens
Jen Malkoun, Greener Partners
YOUNG PEOPLE: Innovative Models in Engaging Young People and/or Young People Social Innovators creating change and impact.
1st: Rohit Lobo and Nethra Ramesh, Project Clean Slate
2nd: Girls First
3rd: Josh Fields, The Next Step Program
RUNNERS UP:
Sarah Morris, YASP
Ariel Bella Goodwin, Journeying Barefoot
Ellen Fisher, YEA! (Philadelphia) |
