Every year, we honor local community members making an impact across Boulder County through our Community Leadership Awards. These individuals embody leadership in all its forms, including exceptional volunteerism, advocacy on behalf of immigrants, gifts of time, treasure, and talent, and tenacious nonprofit leadership. Please join us in congratulating this year’s Community Leadership Award recipients:
• Pat Shoemaker Volunteer Award: Ann Morales
• Nino Gallo Leadership Award: Jossy Martinez-Nevarez
• Stan Black Award: Neil Fishman
• Josie Heath Nonprofit Leadership Award: Jonathan Lev
Learn more about the Community Leadership Awards and meet this year’s award Recipients.
2026 Pat Shoemaker Volunteer Award: Ann Morales
Affectionately known as the “Pat-on-the-Back Award,” this annual honor celebrates the legacy of Patricia Ford Shoemaker, and recognizes individuals who have given extraordinary, yet often unsung, volunteer time to care for our community. Pat exemplified selfless service, volunteering for Boulder Community Hospital for 28 years.
For 14 of those years, she created monthly original craft displays, made baby blankets, and designed animal-shaped covers to warm the toes of children with casts. Her warmth and dedication inspired everyone around her.
2026 Nino Gallo Leadership Award: Jossy Martinez-Nevarez
Community Foundation Boulder County established the Nino Gallo Leadership Award to recognize outstanding local leaders who embody the characteristics of our friend, Nino Gallo.
The award advances Nino’s legacy including his innovative work on behalf of Immigrants and the economically disadvantaged that shaped community efforts Programs, and policies throughout Boulder and Broomfield Counties.
2026 Stan Black Award: Neil Fishman
In 1998, the Stan Black Award was created in partnership between Community Foundation Boulder County and the law firm of Hutchinson Black and Cook where Stan Black practiced for 45 Years.
The award has been given annually to a person who, like Hutchinson Black and Cook’s late partner, Stan Black, has shown a lifetime of commitment by offering their time, treasure, and talent in serving charitable organizations within Boulder County and around the world.
2026 Josie Heath Nonprofit Leadership Award: Jonathan Lev
The Josie Heath Nonprofit Leadership Award honors Josie Heath’s extraordinary dedication and leadership in strengthening the nonprofit community in Boulder County. Throughout her career as both a supporter and leader of organizations, Josie harnessed the power of nonprofits to drive meaningful change and advance community initiatives grounded in social justice.
As former President and founding Board Member of Community Foundation Boulder County, Josie used her influence to champion innovative solutions to some of Boulder County’s most pressing challenges.
