Volunteer Administrator of the Year Award

Volunteer Administrators are masters at recognizing others for their volunteer work efforts. This award recognizes and honors a volunteer administrator who has demonstrated outstanding innovation, dedication and perseverance in the profession of volunteer administration. The nomination process focuses on describing how your outstanding volunteer administrator “models the way, inspires a shared vision, challenges the process, enables others, and encourages the heart.”

In addition to the award, the recipient will receive a one-year individual membership to FVA. Previous winners have represented both large and small agencies in Northeast Ohio.

The recipient of this award is chosen by a selection committee comprised of previous winners and experienced leaders in the Northeast Ohio nonprofit community.

Nomination Criteria:

Nominee shall have worked for a minimum of one year as a volunteer administrator in either a paid or volunteer capacity.
Winner and nominator shall be present to accept the award at the luncheon during the FVA Annual Conference on November 1, 2018 in Independence.
Nomination applications should be submitted by a supervisor, colleague or volunteer who is familiar with nominee’s management and leadership skills.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Support for this award is provided by

2018 Volunteer Administrator of the Year

Shawna Gorchek, Manager, Volunteer Services, Southwest General Health Center

FVA named Shawna Gorchek, Manager, Volunteer Services, Southwest General Health Center, as its 2018 Volunteer Administrator of the Year. Shawna was elected because of her strong leadership skills and her amazing ability to build meaningful relationships between clients, volunteers and co-workers. Shawna has been employed with the health center since 2006. She began as the Volunteer Services Coordinator and then assumed the management role of the program in 2013. Shawna also oversees the Community Van Program, Spiritual Care and Information Desk departments. Shawna leads a staff of 17 in addition to nearly 660 volunteers.

Shawna was nominated by the organization’s Human Resources Director, Joni Edwards, who shared “Shawna recognizes contributions and celebrates the values and victories of the volunteers she serves. She is always looking to build up others. Southwest has been recognized as a top hospital in Ohio and the country. None of this could happen without the support of our volunteer program and Shawna includes them in the celebrations.”

Photo:Shawna (left) poses with Jenny Fowler (right), President of FVA.

2017 Volunteer Administrator of the Year

Mary Kate Hageman, CVA, Manager of 24-Hour Crisis Services, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center

FVA named Mary Kate Hageman, Manager of 24-Hour Services at Cleveland Rape Crisis Center as its 2017 Volunteer Administrator of the Year. In this role, Mary Kate oversees the 24-hour services staff and volunteers to ensure that survivors of rape, sexual abuse and sex trafficking receive advocacy through Face to Face support in hospitals, police precincts and social service agencies, as well as on the Hotline and Text/Chat Line for Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Ashtabula counties.

Photo:Mary Kate (C, holding award) poses with colleagues from the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and her family.

2016 Volunteer Administrator of the Year

Sarah Perez-Stable, Director of Volunteer Services, Youth Challenge

FVA named Sarah Perez-Stable, Director of Volunteer Services at Youth Challenge, as its 2016 Volunteer Administrator of the Year. Sarah was elected because of her strong leadership skills and her amazing ability to build meaningful relationships between clients, volunteers and co-workers. Youth Challenge brings together children with physical disabilities and your volunteers who enrich each other’s lives through one-on-one participation in adapted sports and recreational activities. Teen volunteers are at the core of the mission and Sarah successfully nurtured these relationships while expanding the program on the east side of town, growing their volunteer base to over 450 volunteers. Sarah is committed to empowering her volunteers and provide them an opportunity for leadership, as evident in the formation of the Youth Challenge Volunteer Committee. Sarah also serves as an inspiring role model, having been a Youth Challenge volunteer in high school and now volunteering at area agencies. Youth Challenge Volunteer Ingrid Wagner shared, “Sarah has showed me what it is like to be a leader, display kindness and work hard all while having fun.”

Sarah was nominated by the organizations Founder and Executive Director, Mary Sue Tanis, who shared “With her compassionate heart, genuine smile, and high energy, Sarah awards the volunteers with a remarkable service experience which results in strong volunteer retention.”

Photo: Sarah (C, holding award) poses with colleagues from Youth Challenge.

2015 Volunteer Administrator of the Year

Robin Ott, Manager, Volunteer Services, The Holden Arboretum/Cleveland Botanical Garden

FVA named Robin Ott, Manager, Volunteer Services at The Holden Arboretum/Cleveland Botanical Garden as its 2015 Volunteer Administrator of the Year. Robin was selected for her amazing number of accomplishments and exceptional professionalism. She has made volunteering easier through technology - automating volunteer opportunities and sign-ups, setting up on-line time-keeping and video orientation training. To increase the visibility with younger audiences, she developed a youth volunteer program. She provides numerous recognition and social activities for volunteers throughout the year to promote engagement and retention.

Robin works closely with staff to create new volunteer positions enabling staff to more effectively serve members and the public, and created training programs to supervisors on how best to work with volunteers. Holden Arboretum volunteer ranks continue to grow and have an excellent experience due to the climate Robin has created for them. She is a well-respected professional by all staff for her creativity, energy, dedication and effectiveness. Robin was nominated by her supervisor, Nancy Spelman, Director of Human Resources at Holden Arboretum/Cleveland Botanical Garden.

Photo: Robin (R) poses with supervisor, Nancy Spelman, Director of Human Resources at Holden Arboretum/Cleveland Botanical Garden.

2014 Volunteer Administrator of the Year

Lisa Scotese Gallagher, Director of Volunteers at Hospice of the Western Reserve.

FVA named Lisa Scotese Gallagher, Director of Volunteers at Hospice of the Western Reserve as its 2014 Volunteer Administrator of the Year. Lisa was selected for her vast knowledge, significant experience, and tremendous management skills.

Due to her leadership, the volunteers at her agency have increased almost tenfold from 300 to 3,000 volunteers, providing a multitude of services via a myriad of programs. She understands and encourages the advancement of volunteers in every capacity within the agency while ensuring that the core of their work is meeting the needs of those served. She is dedicated to the overall vision of the organization and inspires others to work well beyond their job description. Lisa was nominated by Clement Hearey, Director of Human Resources at Hospice of the Western Reserve.

Photo: Lisa (C) poses with fellow staff from Hospice of the Western Reserve

Volunteer Administrator of the Year Past Recipients

2013 - Allison Powell, James A. Garfield National Historic Site

2012 - Sue Duffy, Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities

2011 - Betsy Kohn, The Gathering Place

2010 – Lydia Bailey, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry's Mens Emergency Homeless Shelter

2009 – Melissa Ghoston, The Free Clinic of Greater Cleveland

2008 – Heather Triplett, Cleveland Metroparks
2007 – Kate Schantz, Adoption Network Cleveland
2006 – Lona Gruber, Southwest Community Access Network

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Volunteer Administrator of the Year Award

2017 Volunteer Administrator of the Year

2016 Volunteer Administrator of the Year

2015 Volunteer Administrator of the Year

2014 Volunteer Administrator of the Year