Advocacy and Leadership Awards
The Advocacy and Leadership Awards, hosted by the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD), honor the significant contributions made by advocates who are actively working to change attitudes and support greater choices and build a more inclusive North Carolina for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD).
About the Awards
Kerri Eaker Mountain Mover Award: This award, established in 2024, celebrates the legacy of Kerri Eaker, a parent advocate from Western North Carolina and former Council Chair. Inspired by her son Dakota, Eaker was devoted to guiding families through the complex maze of disability services, healthcare, and support networks. The award honors individuals whose unwavering commitment have driven transformative systems change for North Carolina’s I/DD community.
NC Leadership Achievement Award: This award is presented to an outstanding North Carolina self-advocate whose work has improved the quality of life for people with I/DD. This award was presented for the first time at the 2018 November NCCDD Quarterly Meeting.
Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award: This award celebrates the vision and achievement of North Carolina's families and people with I/DD. Jack B. Hefner served the State of North Carolina as a member of NCCDD from 1982 until his passing in 1994. As a father to a son with I/DD, "Big Jack" was willing to do whatever it took to enhance the quality of life for North Carolinians affected by disability. Jack B. Hefner's leadership inspired a generation of advocates and people with I/DD to work forcefully. On October 27, 1994, the NCCDD established the Jack B. Hefner Award to celebrate the vision and achievement of North Carolina's families and people with I/DD.
Helen C. "Holly" Riddle Distinguished Service Award: This award celebrates the work of professionals with North Carolina's families and people with I/DD. Helen C. "Holly" Riddle served as the Executive Director of NCCDD for 23 years. Through her professionalism, innovation and tireless dedication to look beyond the barriers and focus on creative solutions, she led the journey to make North Carolina a state where inclusion and full participation are possible for all citizens. This award is the highest recognition given by the NCCDD to those professionals who have made lasting contributions towards improving opportunities, breaking down barriers, and promoting increased quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 2013, NCCDD established the Helen C. "Holly" Riddle Award to celebrate the work of professionals with North Carolina's families and people with I/DD.
Meet the Award Recipients
2024
- Kerri Eaker Mountain Mover Award: Sen. Jim Burgin (R-District 12) and DHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley
- North Carolina Leadership Achievement Award: Cheryl Powell
- Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award: Jessica Aguilar
- Helen C. "Holly" Riddle Distinguished Service Award: Pam Shipman
Read details about the 2024 awardees
2023
- North Carolina Leadership Achievement Award: Jacklyn Boeheler
- Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award: Sarah Potter
- Helen C. "Holly" Riddle Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Bill Milner & Betsy White
Read more about the 2023 awardees
2022
- North Carolina Leadership Achievement Award: R.V. Kuser
- Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award: Kerri Eaker
- Helen C. "Holly" Riddle Distinguished Service Award: Matt Herr
Read more about the 2022 awardees
2021
- North Carolina Leadership Achievement Award: David Taylor, Jr.
- Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award: Kathleen Dooley Roscana and John Rittelmeyer
- Helen C. "Holly" Riddle Distinguished Service Award: Andrea Johnston Misenheimer
Read more about the 2021 awardees
Nomination Process
Each year in late Spring, an announcement is made to submit nominations for each award. You can nominate someone or yourself! The deadline dates and other information will be updated on this page at that time.
When the nomination process opens, complete the online application form for the award you would like to nominate yourself or someone you know. Forms are available in English and Spanish.
- Kerri Eaker Mountain Mover Award
- North Carolina Leadership Achievement Award: English | Spanish
- Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award: English | Spanish
- Helen C. "Holly" Riddle Distinguished Service Award: English | Spanish
Winners will be announced at the November Quarterly Council Meeting during the Advocacy & Leadership Awards Ceremony.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of nominees are you looking for?
The Council seeks an outstanding North Carolina self-advocate whose work has improved the quality of life for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities for the newly established North Carolina Leadership Achievement Award. The Council seeks family members or community members for the Jack B. Hefner Award who have been involved in making an impact in their local communities that not only benefit their family member, but will positively impact other individuals as well. For the Helen C. “Holly” Riddle Awards, the Council seeks nominees from professionals in the field who have devoted to their career to improving the systems in NC that serve individuals with I/DD and their families. The Kerri Eaker Mountain Mover Award seeks individuals whose unwavering commitment have driven transformative systems change for North Carolina’s I/DD community.
What do you look for not only in nominees, but award winners?
The Council promotes the three awards and seeks nominations from the general public, Council members, professionals in the field, individuals with I/DD, and family members. Those making nominations must show that the person they are nominating is making an impact in their local community that benefits others with I/DD. Those professionals nominated for the Riddle Award will demonstrate improvement of systems serving individuals with I/DD that will have or have had a statewide impact.
How are the recipients selected?
A selection committee of NCCDD members reviews all applications and carefully considers all information submitted for the candidates and chooses a candidate for the respective awards. These candidates are submitted to the executive committee for review and endorsement.
What do the recipients get?
The winner of the NCCDD Advocacy and Leadership awards are invited to the November Council meeting and can invite up to four guests to the awards ceremony. The award winners will receive a plaque, an opportunity to address the Council, and their story will be promoted on the Council website, the social media pages, and in their hometown newspapers.
How does the selection process go?
The Council opens up the nominating process in the Spring of each year with announcements going out throughout the Council and Council member networks. Nomination forms can be downloaded or completed online. For those who need assistance completing the nomination form, they can call the NCCDD office at 919-850-2901.