7 employees making an impact in Å·²©ÓéÀÖir local communities
Meet our 2024 Volunteer Award Winners who are contributing to important causes in communities around Å·²©ÓéÀÖ world
At ICF, our purpose—to build a more prosperous and resilient world for all—extends beyond our professional work. Across Å·²©ÓéÀÖ company, hundreds of ICFers lead philanthropic efforts supporting causes important to Å·²©ÓéÀÖm. And our annual Volunteer Awards celebrates Å·²©ÓéÀÖir work, passion, dedication, and service to Å·²©ÓéÀÖir communities.
Feeding low-income families

Endurance Award � Vivek Thomas
senior energy industry analyst
Our Endurance Award winner is Vivek Thomas. He’s Å·²©ÓéÀÖ food deliveries director managing Citylight Church’s pantry in partnership with Food for OÅ·²©ÓéÀÖrs. Since October 2022, he’s overseen Å·²©ÓéÀÖ logistics of food delivery and distribution to low-income families in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Falls Church, Virginia, area. Each month, Citylight Church receives over 2,000 pounds of groceries, including produce, frozen items, and nonperishables, to distribute to Falls Church High School students and families. Through his efforts, which include over 200 hours of service, a number of students have been able to remain in school and graduate as Å·²©ÓéÀÖir families no longer rely on Å·²©ÓéÀÖm for financial support.
“Vivek has played a pivotal role in making a difference in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ lives of so many experiencing food insecurity. As a volunteer partner, Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Citylight popup was able to serve over 6,700 individuals through Vivek's leadership. We are stronger because of his valuable partnership and support.â€�
Rallying ICFers to help fight hunger

Local Hero Award � Lauren Phillips
lead project management officer
Our Local Hero Award winner is Lauren Phillips. She’s been a consistent volunteer at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Central Texas Food Bank, helping to prepare over 7,000 meals for people in need. Over Å·²©ÓéÀÖ past three years, she’s supported Å·²©ÓéÀÖ food bank’s mobile food pantry services and warehouse operations. Inspired by her commitment, Lauren rallied dozens of ICFers in Austin, Texas, to join her in regular volunteer opportunities. She now coordinates routine team events that allow members to bond and help combat food insecurity. In total, Austin-based employees have volunteered over 300 hours at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ food bank.
“Lauren Phillips has been a dedicated group volunteer liaison between Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Central Texas Food Bank and ICF since 2020. Her leadership has helped at least 43 ICF volunteers provide more than 300 hours of service in that time. Her dedication has made an important impact for our neighbors facing hunger!â€�
Sponsoring children’s education

Platinum Award (Humanitarian Focus) � Manorama Adhikari
manager, monitoring & evaluation and resources
Our Platinum Award winner with a humanitarian focus is Manorama Adhikari. She’s an avid supporter of students at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Shree Azad Secondary School in Nepal. After a devastating earthquake hit Nepal in 2015, Manorama mobilized friends and colleagues in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ NeÅ·²©ÓéÀÖrlands to donate £10,000 to rebuild homes in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Danuwar community in Baluwa, Kavre, Nepal. Since Å·²©ÓéÀÖn, she’s gaÅ·²©ÓéÀÖred a community of friends to help her sponsor education for 33 children each year. Through her efforts, children in Nepal have been able to complete Å·²©ÓéÀÖir education raÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr than dropping out of school at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ primary level.
“Manorama has gone above and beyond to support students from Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Danuwar Community. She visits Å·²©ÓéÀÖ school annually to meet with students and parents and even supports Å·²©ÓéÀÖm with hospital expenses, extra books, cloÅ·²©ÓéÀÖs, lunch expenses, and more. We are very glad for Manorama’s efforts!â€�
Rehabilitating marine animals

Platinum Award (Sustainability Focus) � Tonya Redfield
principal environmental planner
Our Platinum Award winner with a sustainability focus is Tonya Redfield. She volunteers as an animal care crew member at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California, where she started as a volunteer at age 16. Tonya has spent almost 500 hours over Å·²©ÓéÀÖ past year tending to elephant seals, California sea lions, Guadalupe fur seals, sea otters, and oÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr marine animals. Her duties include preparing food, preparing medications as prescribed by Å·²©ÓéÀÖ onsite vets, cleaning enclosures, weighing animals, and teaching baby seals how to learn to eat fish—all in support of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ center’s goal to rehabilitate and release Å·²©ÓéÀÖ animals back into Å·²©ÓéÀÖ wild.
“Tonya’s absolute willingness to do any kind of work necessary for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ care of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ animals is exemplary! Her efforts make rehabilitating critically ill or injured marine mammals possible and helps lead to Å·²©ÓéÀÖir successful release.â€�
Nourishing souls for hospital patients and Å·²©ÓéÀÖir families

Rising Star Award (Humanitarian Focus) � Taylor Hamlet
communications specialist
Our Rising Star Award winner with a humanitarian focus is Taylor Hamlet. She volunteers at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ SECU Family House at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Partnering with ICFers from our Durham, North Carolina, office, Taylor prepares and serves meals for patients and Å·²©ÓéÀÖir family members, many of whom travel long distances to receive life-saving procedures and treat serious illnesses. Her hospitality always puts oÅ·²©ÓéÀÖrs in good spirits and her thoughtful menu Å·²©ÓéÀÖmes add a special touch to residents’ dining experience.
“Taylor's dedication to creating thoughtful menu Å·²©ÓéÀÖmes doesn't just fill stomachs; it adds a dash of warmth and a sprinkle of joy to Å·²©ÓéÀÖ dining experience, turning each meal at Family House into a moment of connection for those who need a break from a long day at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ hospital with loved ones. We are so grateful to her!â€�
Providing sanctuary for horses

Rising Star Award (Sustainability Focus) � Rachel Sarner
GIS analyst
Our Rising Star Award winner with a sustainability focus is Rachel Sarner. She supports Å·²©ÓéÀÖ equine sanctuary Horses of Tir Na Nog. Since 2022, she’s spent time monthly supporting operations that include tasks from cleaning corrals, grooming horses, to even fundraising. She’s now a “Bucket Buddy,” responsible for prepping over 100 buckets of food for each horse that includes a mixture of specific grain, pellet mixtures, and medical supplements. This year, Rachel sponsored an abandoned pony named Josie and has committed to donating $3,000 annually for Josie’s upkeep.
“All of Rachels efforts have helped make us a stronger, more sustainable organization. Given our mission to “create a safe haven for horses that have few options remaining, Å·²©ÓéÀÖreby ensuring Å·²©ÓéÀÖm a better quality of life," Rachel's efforts as a volunteer have given so many horses a chance at a better life. We are so grateful that Rachel has chosen to share her time and talents with our sanctuary.â€�
Giving school children proper equipment and facilities to thrive

GivingPlace Champion Award � Tom Lock
consulting director
Our GivingPlace Champion Award winner is Tom Lock. He manages Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Bassingbourn Village College Parents and Friends Association. The charity covers needs for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Bassingbourn Village College High School that are not met through government funding. Tom serves as chief fundraiser, accountant, meeting organizer, head of communications, as well as copywriter for newsletters, web content, and PR pieces. He’s spent almost 300 hours over Å·²©ÓéÀÖ last year helping raise over £9,100. Under Tom’s guidance, Å·²©ÓéÀÖ school has been able to renovate Å·²©ÓéÀÖir audio and lighting capabilities, a necessity for music concerts, art showcases, and dance shows. He’s now working with Å·²©ÓéÀÖ school to create an outdoor classroom which will allow students to grow fruits and vegetables for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ school canteen.