Contact:
Kara Driscoll, Director of Strategic External Engagement,
[email protected] | 513-638-0508
CINCINNATI, OH — The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center has announced the finalists and honorees for the 2026 Upstander Awards, Cincinnati’s premier celebration of moral courage. The event will take place on June 14, 2026, at Union Terminal, where seven Upstander Award winners will be announced live during the gala.
The Upstander Awards recognize individuals who demonstrate the power of standing up for others through courage, compassion, and action. The annual event brings together civic leaders, changemakers, and national voices to honor those creating meaningful impact in their communities.
“This event is about lifting up the people who are shaping our community in powerful ways and reminding all of us what is possible when we choose to act,” said Jackie Congedo, CEO of the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center. “The Upstander Awards are not just a celebration. They are a call to action to carry these stories forward and to be part of building a more just future.”
Inaugural National Upstander of Humanity Award
This year, the Center will present its first National Upstander of Humanity Award, the highest distinction of the Upstander Awards.
The 2026 recipients are Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman and her grandson Aron Goodman. Friedman was just six years old when she was liberated from Auschwitz, making her one of the youngest survivors of the camp. She has spent decades sharing her firsthand testimony, speaking to students, communities, and audiences around the world to ensure the reality of the Holocaust is never forgotten.
Today, alongside Goodman, she is reaching millions through their widely followed TikTok platform, where their videos have garnered tens of millions of views. Together, they answer questions, share personal memories, and confront misinformation in real time, creating a direct and deeply human connection to Holocaust history for a new generation.
Through her New York Times bestselling memoir The Daughter of Auschwitz and their growing digital presence, Friedman and Goodman have redefined how survivor testimony is shared. Their work bridges generations, bringing history into everyday conversation and making it accessible, immediate, and personal. Together, they are ensuring that remembrance does not end with reflection, but leads to understanding, connection, and action.
Upstander Leadership Award Honorees
Brendon Cull will receive the Duke Energy Illuminator Award for his leadership and commitment to strengthening the region through civic engagement and community impact.
Kathleen Brinkman will be honored with the Upstander Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her decades of service, philanthropy, and dedication to improving the lives of others across Cincinnati.
The late Francie Pepper will be honored with the Upstander Legacy Award for her enduring impact on the community and her lifelong commitment to service and leadership.
2026 Upstander Award Finalists
Selected from nearly 350 nominations, this year’s finalists represent individuals who are strengthening the community through action, leadership, and compassion.
- Alen Amini leads with a focus on inclusion and equity, ensuring individuals with disabilities and marginalized communities are fully supported through his work at Starfire Council.
- Leanne Berke leads Operation Give Back, providing essential resources and support to students and families facing hardship while also opening her home through foster care.
- Issac Davis turned personal tragedy into purpose through his #Forever11 initiative, mentoring youth and advocating for safer communities.
- Brooke and Keith Desserich founded The Cure Starts Now after losing their daughter to cancer, advancing global research while supporting families facing pediatric brain cancer.
- Samuel De Falco is a young leader advancing dialogue and understanding through advocacy and work addressing antisemitism.
- Deasa Dorsey is improving health equity through education and leadership as co-founder of the Black Nurse Network and founder of iCan Health.
- Kimberly Huckleby empowers young girls through her Ladies of Leadership initiative, providing mentorship and support to families in need.
- Brian Ibold, a retired Cincinnati police officer, founded The Help Squad Cincy to provide direct financial assistance to families in crisis.
- Phil Hunter and Isabel Ricke demonstrated extraordinary courage by stepping in to save a child’s life in a moment of urgent need outside of Cincinnati Museum Center.
- Lauren Hill advances Holocaust education by equipping educators to teach this history with accuracy and impact, reaching thousands of students.
- Beth Kamradt has spent more than two decades serving individuals experiencing homelessness, providing essential resources and compassionate care.
- Guyton Mathews is an educator committed to equity and student success, empowering young people and educators to take meaningful action.
- Michael Moore founded Black Achievers, creating pathways for mentorship, career development, and entrepreneurship for thousands nationwide.
- Luca Moss is a student leader advocating for mental health awareness and creating safe, supportive spaces for her peers.
- Dr. Christy O’Dea advances health equity locally and globally through compassionate care and mentorship in the medical field.
- Jim Place co-created the Social Justice 7-on-7 Football Tournament, using sports to foster dialogue, empathy, and leadership among youth.
- Shannon Price is a leader in housing justice who has helped secure legal protections and prevent eviction for hundreds of families.
- Josie Ruff and Keira Morris support individuals experiencing homelessness and promote mental health awareness through service and advocacy.
- Nancy Sullivan has spent more than 40 years advocating for immigrant communities, providing support and advancing policy change.
- Aaryan Verma advances inclusion for individuals on the autism spectrum by creating empowering spaces and expanding access to programs that build confidence for young learners.
- Kent Wellington founded the Karen Wellington Foundation, bringing joy and relief to families facing cancer through decades of service.
Seven winners will be announced live at the Upstander Awards on June 14. Guests will enjoy a three-course meal, live music, dancing, special activations, and an inspiring awards ceremony that celebrates those who rise to meet the moment with resilience, compassion, and impact. The Upstander Awards are part of Cohen Family Upstander Month, a growing series of programs and events designed to inspire action and build a community of upstanders. Now in its fourth year, the initiative has expanded from a single weekend into a month-long movement that engages the community in conversations about character, responsibility, and action. This year follows a landmark moment for the Center, which recently hosted the international exhibition Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away., deepening the community’s connection to Holocaust history and its relevance today.
Festive formal attire is encouraged. Guests are invited to wear florals, purples, and blues to celebrate the evening’s theme. Valet parking is included with each ticket. Early bird tickets are $125 through May 8 and increase to $175 after that date. Tables of 10 are available for purchase for $5,000. For more information, contact Gala Coordinator Leigh Sullivan at [email protected].
About the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center
The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center exists to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust inspire action today. Located at Cincinnati’s historic Union Terminal, HHC impacts more than 2.5 million people every year through digital and in-person events, museum tours, educational experiences, social media and virtual content. From Australia to India, individuals from more than 25 countries and 30 states engage with our mission. For more information, visit. www.holocaustandhumanity.org.
