Award Nominations & Recipients

Leaders of the addiction recovery advocacy movement from across the nation will be honored at the America Honors Recovery Gala Dinner (AHR), September 17, 2024. AHR salutes the legacies of dynamic recovery trailblazers who dedicated their lives to removing barriers for individuals and families affected by addiction and honors the future of their legacies.

Our Awards

Now's your chance! Nominate an individual or organization that inspires you for an AHR award.

Appointed Awards:

Nominated Awards:

Nomination submissions closed July 19, 2024.

Award Recipients

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2024, Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award


Sis Wenger

For over 34 years Sis Wenger was at the helm of the National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA). Her tireless advocacy on behalf of…

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2024, Excellence in Recovery Journalism Award


Elyse Wild

Elyse Wild is a Senior Editor for Native News Online. She covers health equity in Indian County through a solutions-focused lens, with an emphasis on…

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2024, Federal Champion Award


Peter Gaumond

Peter Gaumond joined the Office of National Drug Control (ONDCP) in October 2010 as the Chief of the Recovery Branch. He currently serves as a…

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2024, Advocate of the Year Award


Kristina Padilla

Kristina Padilla is world-renowned as a national speaker, author, educator, and advisor, advocating the principle of “living out loud.” They foster safer environments nationwide by…

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2024, Advocate of the Year Award


Rhonda L. Johnson

Rhonda L. Johnson, a native Washingtonian, serves as the CEO, Recovery Coach, and Certified Peer Specialist Consultant at Now Hope 2 Reality, LLC, a Certified…

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Past 2023 Award Recipients

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2023, Congressional Champion Award

Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force

The Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force in the U.S. House of Representatives has been a leading voice in Congress with their…

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2023, Advocate of the Year Award

Dona Dmitrovic

Currently serving as the Senior Advisor for Recovery at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dona…

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2023, Advocate of the Year Award

Emily Newton

Emily Newton is a young woman in long-term recovery from substance use and mental health challenges. As a student, she returned on campus to the…

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2023, Advocate of the Year Award

Jessica Geschke

Jessica currently leads various projects that aim to bring awareness to substance use disorder and end the stigma surrounding it within her employment at Serve…

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2023, Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award

Phil Valentine

Phil Valentine is the Executive Director of the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR). He has been integral to this Recovery Community Organization since January…

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2023, Federal Champion Award

Tom Coderre

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, SAMHSA With decades of public, private, and non-profit service, Mr. Coderre is the first person…

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