INARF 2025 Annual Awards Nominees
The INARF Annual Awards offer a platform that provides INARF members the opportunity to publicly recognize their staff, individuals supported, and community partners who embrace individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. INARF believes all the nominees are truly deserving of this recognition and therefore we are proud to spotlight our INARF Annual Award Nominees. Each award category shares a list of nominees with a brief description as to why they were nominated. The INARF Annual Awards winners of each category were announced at the INARF Annual Awards Celebration Program on October 15 as part of the INARF Annual Conference.
Award Categories
Justin Dart Jr. Personal Achievement Award
The Justin Dart Jr. Personal Achievement Award is named after Justin Whitlock Dart Jr., an American activist and advocate for people with disabilities. Justin helped to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, co-founded the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), and is regarded as the "Godfather of the ADA". This award is presented to an individual participating in services through an INARF member organization and who, like Mr. Dart, has maximized their skills and abilities to achieve their chosen goals. Achievements may include volunteerism, advocacy for disability issues, and/or upward mobility and dedication to reaching their personal goals. Attributes of the Nominees for this award are:
The Justin Dart Jr. Personal Achievement Award is named after Justin Whitlock Dart Jr., an American activist and advocate for people with disabilities. Justin helped to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, co-founded the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), and is regarded as the "Godfather of the ADA". This award is presented to an individual participating in services through an INARF member organization and who, like Mr. Dart, has maximized their skills and abilities to achieve their chosen goals. Achievements may include volunteerism, advocacy for disability issues, and/or upward mobility and dedication to reaching their personal goals. Attributes of the Nominees for this award are:
- Currently utilizing habilitation and/or rehabilitation services to enhance their independence and quality of life
- Have been involved in services for over two years
- Have a diagnosed disability
2025 Nominees
Christopher Berger, New Hope of Indiana
Heather Bichler, Developmental Services, Inc.
Matthew Charles, Noble, Inc.
Ryan Dike, The Arc Southwest Indiana
Stephanie "Skeeter" Ellet, Carey Services, Inc.
Elijah Keegan, Wabash Center
Matt Leuck-Myers, Opportunity Enterprises
Sam Rowe, New Horizons
Aubrie Stackhouse, Easterseals Northeast Indiana
Semaj Wright, Easterseals Crossroads
2025 Winner: Semaj Wright, Easterseals Crossroads
Christopher Berger, New Hope of Indiana
Heather Bichler, Developmental Services, Inc.
Matthew Charles, Noble, Inc.
Ryan Dike, The Arc Southwest Indiana
Stephanie "Skeeter" Ellet, Carey Services, Inc.
Elijah Keegan, Wabash Center
Matt Leuck-Myers, Opportunity Enterprises
Sam Rowe, New Horizons
Aubrie Stackhouse, Easterseals Northeast Indiana
Semaj Wright, Easterseals Crossroads
2025 Winner: Semaj Wright, Easterseals Crossroads
Keystone Award
The Keystone Award is presented to the most outstanding direct service staff member of an INARF member organization. Qualified candidates manifest, through personal attributes and dedication, the mission of the human service/habilitation industry. Candidates qualifying for this award must currently be employed in the role of front-line direct care, such as a Direct Support Professional, Employment Specialist, Behavioral Consultant, etc., and have a minimum of three (3) years of employment. Attributes of the Nominees for this award are:
The Keystone Award is presented to the most outstanding direct service staff member of an INARF member organization. Qualified candidates manifest, through personal attributes and dedication, the mission of the human service/habilitation industry. Candidates qualifying for this award must currently be employed in the role of front-line direct care, such as a Direct Support Professional, Employment Specialist, Behavioral Consultant, etc., and have a minimum of three (3) years of employment. Attributes of the Nominees for this award are:
- The first to employ innovative techniques, enriching the quality of services and thus the quality of life for those they support
- The first to uphold the rights of individuals with disabilities
- The first to accept change and insist that such changes have meaning and purpose
- The first in the hearts of those they support
2025 Nominees
Benjamin Dunn, Opportunity Enterprises
Laura Friesen, Easterseals Crossroads
Sarah Hoop, ResCare, Inc.
Barb Horvath, LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.
Kelsie Jones, Easterseals Northeast Indiana
Brittney Lechenet, Cardinal Services, Inc.
Deanne Lightsey, Developmental Services, Inc.
Godfrey Onuchukwu, New Hope of Indiana
Jamison Royer, Wabash Center
Lettica Sanders, Respite Care Services, Inc.
Rosa Welch, Corvilla, Inc.
Jeffrey White, LEL Home Services
Lisa Worthington, Carey Services, Inc.
2025 Winner: Benjamin Dunn, Opportunity Enterprises
Benjamin Dunn, Opportunity Enterprises
Laura Friesen, Easterseals Crossroads
Sarah Hoop, ResCare, Inc.
Barb Horvath, LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.
Kelsie Jones, Easterseals Northeast Indiana
Brittney Lechenet, Cardinal Services, Inc.
Deanne Lightsey, Developmental Services, Inc.
Godfrey Onuchukwu, New Hope of Indiana
Jamison Royer, Wabash Center
Lettica Sanders, Respite Care Services, Inc.
Rosa Welch, Corvilla, Inc.
Jeffrey White, LEL Home Services
Lisa Worthington, Carey Services, Inc.
2025 Winner: Benjamin Dunn, Opportunity Enterprises
Pinnacle Award
The Pinnacle Award is presented to an outstanding professional level staff member in a leadership / management role employed by an INARF member organization. The nominees represent outstanding individual dedication to advocacy, innovation, education, and inspiration, and are recognized for their leadership among others within their organization. Attributes of the Nominees for this award:
The Pinnacle Award is presented to an outstanding professional level staff member in a leadership / management role employed by an INARF member organization. The nominees represent outstanding individual dedication to advocacy, innovation, education, and inspiration, and are recognized for their leadership among others within their organization. Attributes of the Nominees for this award:
- Are committed to the Mission and Vision of their organization
- Excel at motivating others to make a difference
- Seek opportunities to be creative in approaches to supporting individuals with a disability
2025 Nominees
Jennifer Armfield, Developmental Services, Inc.
Julie Burrows, New Hope of Indiana
Fallon Coleman, TradeWinds Services, Inc.
Nina Cribbs, ViaQuest Community Solutions
Olivia Kaplan, Carey Services, Inc.
Chad Linn, Noble, Inc.
Sarah Mackin, LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.
Michelle McGuin, ADEC, Inc.
Sandra Miller, Easterseals Northeast Indiana
Victoria Parrett, Cardinal Services, Inc.
Kathleen Parks, Opportunity Enterprises
Kylee Pennington, Wabash Center
Tammy Seitz, Blue River Services, Inc.
2025 Winner: Kathleen Parks, Opportunity Enterprises
Jennifer Armfield, Developmental Services, Inc.
Julie Burrows, New Hope of Indiana
Fallon Coleman, TradeWinds Services, Inc.
Nina Cribbs, ViaQuest Community Solutions
Olivia Kaplan, Carey Services, Inc.
Chad Linn, Noble, Inc.
Sarah Mackin, LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.
Michelle McGuin, ADEC, Inc.
Sandra Miller, Easterseals Northeast Indiana
Victoria Parrett, Cardinal Services, Inc.
Kathleen Parks, Opportunity Enterprises
Kylee Pennington, Wabash Center
Tammy Seitz, Blue River Services, Inc.
2025 Winner: Kathleen Parks, Opportunity Enterprises
James M. Hammond, III Executive Leadership Award
The James M. Hammond, III Executive Leadership Award is named in honor of longtime INARF executive and retired CEO, James M. Hammond III, who devoted over three decades of his life to expanding opportunities for persons with disabilities. Mr. Hammond began his career with INARF in the early days of the organization, working closely with INARF's founder, Costa N. Miller. Mr. Hammond became INARF's second CEO after Mr. Miller's passing, leading INARF until his retirement in 2012. This award is presented to an outstanding executive/administrator within the INARF membership. The nominees present outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, political acumen (awareness of others/what is going on around you), ethical demeanor and professional posture to further the interests of their organization and those of their colleagues across the state.
The James M. Hammond, III Executive Leadership Award is named in honor of longtime INARF executive and retired CEO, James M. Hammond III, who devoted over three decades of his life to expanding opportunities for persons with disabilities. Mr. Hammond began his career with INARF in the early days of the organization, working closely with INARF's founder, Costa N. Miller. Mr. Hammond became INARF's second CEO after Mr. Miller's passing, leading INARF until his retirement in 2012. This award is presented to an outstanding executive/administrator within the INARF membership. The nominees present outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, political acumen (awareness of others/what is going on around you), ethical demeanor and professional posture to further the interests of their organization and those of their colleagues across the state.
2025 Nominees
Shane Burton, Developmental Services, Inc.
Connie Kurtz, Hopewell Center, Inc.
Jason McManus, Wabash Center
Cheryl Mullis, Southern Indiana Resource Solutions, Inc.
2025 Winner: Cheryl Mullis, Southern Indiana Resources Solutions, Inc.
Shane Burton, Developmental Services, Inc.
Connie Kurtz, Hopewell Center, Inc.
Jason McManus, Wabash Center
Cheryl Mullis, Southern Indiana Resource Solutions, Inc.
2025 Winner: Cheryl Mullis, Southern Indiana Resources Solutions, Inc.
Partnership Award
The Partnership Award is presented to a community partner (i.e. individual, business, club, educational institution or corporation) making significant contributions to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and the organizations serving them. Partners may also display dedication to improving the lives of people with disabilities through innovative approaches to service delivery and by helping form positive public images of people with disabilities.
The Partnership Award is presented to a community partner (i.e. individual, business, club, educational institution or corporation) making significant contributions to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and the organizations serving them. Partners may also display dedication to improving the lives of people with disabilities through innovative approaches to service delivery and by helping form positive public images of people with disabilities.
2025 Nominees:
David and Michelle Deddens / New Horizons
Daniel Fayette / LEL Home Services
HealthLinc / Opportunity Enterprises
Kosciusko Senior Services / Cardinal Services, Inc.
Meyer Family Farm LLC / The Arc Southwest Indiana
Tanglewood Trace Senior Living / LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.
Washington Lady Hatchets / Developmental Services, Inc.
Craig White / Carey Services, Inc.
2025 Winner: HealthLinc / Opportunity Enterprises
David and Michelle Deddens / New Horizons
Daniel Fayette / LEL Home Services
HealthLinc / Opportunity Enterprises
Kosciusko Senior Services / Cardinal Services, Inc.
Meyer Family Farm LLC / The Arc Southwest Indiana
Tanglewood Trace Senior Living / LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.
Washington Lady Hatchets / Developmental Services, Inc.
Craig White / Carey Services, Inc.
2025 Winner: HealthLinc / Opportunity Enterprises
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