Announcing Our 2025 Spark Award Recipients!

By Katherine Mooring and Meaghan Dunham Arena

WIF’s reimagined Spark Awards for Rest & Renewal honor community leaders who serve on the front lines of social change—often carrying the emotional weight of the communities they support. These awards are more than just recognition; they are a call to pause, replenish, and feel seen. WIF received nearly 80 heartfelt nominations this year—almost twice as many as 2024, and 90% of which came from women nominating fellow women. The response was deeply inspiring. After a rigorous selection process led by our Spark Committee, we were thrilled to celebrate the 2025 Spark Award recipients at WIF’s Annual Meeting.

In April, the Spark Committee also convened 2024 award recipients to learn more about their experience as members of the inaugural class. Awardees shared the transformative effect of being honored as whole individuals, not just through the lens of their organizations. From mindfulness retreats to long-overdue rest and wellness investments, the awards empowered recipients to prioritize renewal. Their reflections underscored the importance of intentional rest for social change leaders and the rarity of funders encouraging genuine self-care. The energy of community and mutual support among the recipients was palpable, and we look forward to cultivating even more connection in future cycles—always with care, not obligation.

Join us in welcoming our 2025 Spark Award recipients – ten remarkable women who embody heart-centered impact and will receive a $5,000 unrestricted cash award and a one-year Women’s Impact Fund membership:

The ten recipients of a $5,000 unrestricted 2025 Spark Award are:

• J’Tanya Adams, Historic West End Partners
  • J’Tanya Adams is a innovative leader and community advocate whose work in the Beatties Ford/Rozzelles Ferry area has redefined what it means to drive meaningful change. With a unique blend of cultural preservation and economic empowerment, she has built enduring partnerships and secured significant funding to directly address community needs. Her passion and impact have made her a trusted and indispensable leader in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
• Stefanía Arteaga, Carolina Migrant Network
  • Stefanía Arteaga is a dedicated organizer and strategist who has played a crucial role in advancing immigrants’ rights organizing in NC. She co-founded the Carolina Migrant Network, which provides pro bono legal services for detained immigrants. In addition, she has advocated, organized, and educated for years to push back the tide of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local law enforcement collaboration to stop the deportation pipeline.
• Karen Calder, Classroom Central
  • Karen Calder is a inspirational leader and tireless advocate for educational equity in the Charlotte community. As the founding Executive Director of Classroom Central, Karen transformed a bold idea into a thriving organization that has distributed over $100 million in supplies to students in need. Karen is a force for good who reminds us all of the transformative power of leadership rooted in compassion and purpose.
• Charli Conklin, Stiletto Boss University
  • Charli Conklin is a dynamic and forward-thinking leader who embodies the spirit of empowerment and transformation. With an unmatched passion for cultivating young leaders, she has dedicated her career to creating pathways for youth, particularly young women, to thrive as entrepreneurs and change-makers. Charli is not just a program director; she’s a builder of futures, a connector of communities, and a relentless advocate for opportunity.
• Sil Ganzó, OurBridge For Kids
  • Sil Ganzó is an inspiring and visionary leader who serves as the founder and Executive Director of ourBRIDGE for KIDS, an organization dedicated to supporting the education, acculturation, and well-being of immigrant and refugee families. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sil has devoted her career to creating culturally responsive programs and advocating for the needs of multilingual families. Beyond her work at ourBRIDGE, she has become a trusted voice for diversity and justice in the region.
• Jessica Gibson, Just Do It Movement, Inc.
  • Jessica Gibson is a fearless change agent who advocates tirelessly for the under-served and formerly incarcerated within Charlotte. Her faith in God impassions her to use her time, talents, and network to self-educate and serve in the pursuit of finding good housing for the displaced, seeking identification for formerly incarcerated neighbors, providing financial literacy tools, and donating essentials to kids and families within Mecklenburg. No is not an option for Jessica; she always overcomes hurdles.
• Juliana Lozano, Despierta
  • Juliana Lozano is a transformative leader and tireless advocate for women and youth, empowering Latinas to rise above challenges, break barriers, and create brighter futures through her transformative work at Despierta. Her passion, resilience, and tenacity have made Despierta a beacon of hope, providing education, mentorship, and life-changing programs. She invites us to join this work, showing that together we can create a future where every woman and youth has the opportunity to rise and succeed.
• LaShawn Robertson, Carolina Youth Coalition
  • At CYC, our motto is “Every dream needs a team,” and LaShawn Robertson is the coach who guides our young people with expert college admissions advice and prep resources. She balances being tough and demanding with being loving and encouraging, ensuring students always reach their full potential. LaShawn is not just a coach; she is a relentless advocate, a tireless champion, and a loving mother figure to many CYC Fellows. She is the epitome of the type of person everyone should have on their team.
• Elliott Royal, West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition
  • Elliott Royal is an activist and a driver. She is a health advocate, a strategic partner, a strong facilitator, a community developer, and a leader who focuses on positive impact versus checkbox activities. Through her work and volunteer efforts, Elliott has proven that she is dedicated to leading inclusive efforts that drive equity and accessibility in our community, not only around food security but also toward positive educational and overall health outcomes and economic mobility.
• Alyssa Sharpe, Digi-Bridge
  • Alyssa Sharpe is a true champion for education and equity and the trailblazing CEO of Digi-Bridge, a Charlotte-based nonprofit focused on empowering underserved communities through STEAM education. With a heart for service and an unwavering commitment to transformation, Alyssa is shaping the future of countless young minds, and creating opportunities for growth, innovation, and success for both the scholars Digi-Bridge serves and the community organizations and corporate volunteers with whom she works.

These inspiring local women are at the forefront of social change in our community, working on issues such as food insecurity, housing justice, reproductive rights, and education. They have demonstrated evidence of community-centered leadership and vision, have experience working in direct relationship with the community being served, and their work is transformative and impactful.

Recipients will have full discretion to use the funds in any way they choose to cultivate their individual care, renewal, and healing. In addition to the award, they will also receive a one-year WIF membership to provide additional opportunities for connection, leadership, and growth.

Please join us in congratulating the 2025 Spark Award recipients!