Meet the 2025 NonProfit Professionals of the Year
Across the sector, nonprofit professionals are navigating complexity, responding to community needs, and delivering results under increasing pressure. Despite the challenges of the past year, excellence shows up in many forms — in long-term vision, in decisive moments, and in the steady work that keeps organizations moving forward. To celebrate those efforts, NonProfit PRO is proud to announce its annual NonProfit Professionals of the Year Awards.
The 2025 honorees reflect the many ways impact takes shape — from expanding economic opportunity and advancing lifesaving research to strengthening families, supporting people returning from incarceration, and ensuring organizations can sustain their work behind the scenes. Chosen from a highly competitive pool of nominations, these professionals stood out for their clarity of purpose, measurable results, and lasting influence on the communities and causes they serve. This year, we are honoring six individuals, including two Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.
Learn more about each of the 2025 NonProfit Professionals of the Year winners and their accomplishments by hovering over their headshots below.
NonProfit Professional of the Year Award
Michael T. Pugh
President and CEO
Local Initiatives Support Corp.
New York
His nominator said: His unique professional background and personal story have created an innovative approach to LISC’s mission of building resilient, vibrant and affordable communities, and it is that vision that makes him one of the top nonprofit professionals of the year.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Margaret Foti, PhD, MD
CEO
American Association for Cancer Research
Philadelphia
Her nominator said: Under her visionary leadership, the American Association for Cancer Research’s annual budget has grown from $1.5 million to over $100 million, AACR membership has grown from 3,000 to more than 60,000 in 141 countries and territories, and the AACR’s portfolio of peer-reviewed scientific journals has increased from one to 10.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Joanne Samuel Goldblum
Founder and CEO
National Diaper Bank Network
New Haven, Connecticut
Her nominator said: Joanne Samuel Goldblum created a growing movement that is improving the health, happiness and prosperity of U.S. families every day.
Fundraiser of the Year Award
Jason Heitman
Manager of Content Creator Programs and Initiatives
ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee
His nominator said: Jason has been a pivotal force in the growth of new fundraising strategies for ALSAC. At a time when philanthropy must meet donors where they spend their time, in online spaces, content ecosystems, and creator-driven communities, Jason has consistently been at the forefront.
Rising Star Award
Damon Christian Watson
Senior Director of Legal Services and Corporate Development
New Jersey Reentry Corp.
Newark, New Jersey
His nominator said: Watson rose from absolute zero to a place where he has become a true north star for those who struggle with homelessness, addiction, or incarceration.
Unsung Hero Award
Tracy Cramer
Chief Development Officer
Liberation Programs
Stamford, Connecticut
Her nominator said: Every organization has that one person who quietly makes everything work. At Liberation Programs, that person is Tracy Cramer.
Know a nonprofit professional whose work deserves recognition? Nominations for the 2026 NonProfit Professionals of the Year Awards will open in summer 2026. To be among the first to know when nominations begin — and to receive the announcement in your inbox — subscribe to NonProfit PRO’s e-newsletter.
