WVCADV Inspiration Luncheon Awards
Every October, WVCADV confers a number of awards for those who’ve gone above and beyond in their pursuit of supporting survivors, seeking survivor justice, working to remove barriers so survivors can access services, and more. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of all our award winners.
This year, the Inspiration Luncheon will occur as a part of an all day training on the science of hope, provided by Alliance for Hope International, called “Hope is Everything.”
Learn more about the training and luncheon, and purchase tickets here. Below, discover this year’s award winners, the meaning of the WVCADV awards, and who won them in previous years.
Nicole Roehm
Diane Reese Advocacy Award
Nicole Roehm – Bio Coming Soon
Shelly Moreland
Pinnacle Award
Shelly Moreland – Bio Coming Soon
Tamika Wilborne
Visibility Award
Tamika Wilborne – Bio Coming Soon
Cortland Nesley
Purple Ribbon Award
Cortland Nesley – Bio Coming Soon
Jeremy Dixon
Purple Ribbon Award
Jeremy Dixon – Bio Coming Soon
Anne Thomas
Purple Ribbon Award
Anne Thomas graduated from The College of West Virginia in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Ms. Thomas has worked in the Division of Corrections & Rehabilitation (DCR) for over 26 years. She began her career with DCR in 1999 at Mount Olive Correctional Complex (MOCC) as an Office Assistant II.
While at MOCC Ms. Thomas held the following positions : Office Assistant II, Correctional Counselor I & II, Correctional Program Specialist, Correctional Case Manager, and Unit Manager until December 2006. She served as Associate Warden of Programs at Lakin Correctional Center from January 2007 to October 2008. Ms. Thomas accepted the position of Central Office Director of Classification in November 2008 and held this position until being appointed as Warden at Parkersburg Correctional Center on September 1, 2012.
She was then appointed as Warden at Lakin Correctional Center on July 23, 2016. On July 22, 2017, she became Acting Chief of Staff at the Division of Corrections Central Office. On July 1, 2018, Ms. Thomas was appointed as the Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau of Community Corrections for the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
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WVCADV LIFT Store
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Interested? The “Hope is Everything” training with Inspiration Luncheon is open to the public, and tickets are available now!
Learn More About the Awards
… and see previous winners
Visibility Award
Dedicated champion
One award is conferred annually
The Visibility Award is awarded to those who’ve shown exemplary service underserved communities. With this award, we recognize our colleagues who have committed themselves to bringing the voices and needs of underserved communities to the forefront. Visibility goes beyond making the unseen seen, and the unheard heard. To be dedicated to underserved people is to be dedicated to respect, dignity, and humanity.
2025
- Shoulder To Shoulder
2024
- Shanté Ellis
2023
- Ashley Williams
The Purple Ribbon Award is given in public recognition to individuals or organizations who, during the previous year, have been outstanding in their commitment to working in collaboration with WVCADV. The award honors those who have gone beyond their professional obligations, who have taken practical and statewide actions to decrease violence and abuse and increase respect and safety intimate partner relationships.
2025
- Dr, Javier Cárdenas
- Weave WV Project Team
- Rabbi Joe Blair and Rev. Edward Thompson
2024
- Edwin C Bennett
- Senator Ryan Weld
- Marty Hatfield
2023
- Shoulder to Shoulder Advisory Council
- Sergeant Heather Grimmett
2022
- Ripley Varela
- Dave McMahon
- WV Aware
2020
- Thomas Bunnell
- Scott Cosco
- Alice Hamilton
- Frank Hartman
- Erica Walker
Diane Reese Award
Determined advocacy
One or two awards are conferred annually
The Diane Reese Advocacy Award is given in loving memory of the spirited life of Diane Reese who served for 14 years as a Team Coordinator of the Coalition. Diane’s vision, determination, knowledge, and skill helped lay the strong organizational foundation upon which the Coalition currently rests.
- 2025 – Sara Blevins O’Toole and Julie Britton
- 2024 – Alexia Jennings
- 2023 – Amber Ross Chapman
- 2021 – Maria Madariaga
- 2020 – Amanda Weiss-McComas & Katie Spriggs
- 2019- Celena Roby & Kimberly Tyler-Stirling
- 2018 – Shannon Petree
- 2017 – Kenosha Davenport
- 2016 – Megan Halstead
- 2015 – Lynda Jensen
- 2014 – Lois Manns
- 2013 – Marcia Drake
- 2012 – Lorraine Pritchard
- 2011 – Tina Manns
- 2010 – Victoria Bradshaw
- 2009 – Sarah Kingston
- 2008 – Juanita “Susie” Reed
- 2007 – Gloria Martin
- 2006 – Sherry Hatfield
- 2005 – Pat Daniels
- 2004 – Judy King Smith
- 2003 – Trudy Laurenson
- 2002 – Sharon Walden
Pinnacle Award
Statewide impact
One or two awards are conferred annually
The Pinnacle Award is given to a WV Advocate who has gone beyond their professional commitment through practical and statewide actions to increase safety, raise public awareness, and create hope for change at personal, public, and institutional levels.
2025
- Lori Fleagle
2024
- Cathy Durr
2023
- Rita Allender
2022
- Michelle McCord
- Linda Farmer
2020
- Belinda Hopkins
