Governor Tony Evers congratulated the honorees at the 2025 Governor’s Service Awards, stating, “I want to recognize all the individuals and programs being honored today for the truly extraordinary work and service you’ve provided to communities across Wisconsin…and I’m incredibly grateful for the work that you do. Whether it’s helping communities in need, cleaning up and protecting our natural spaces, or supporting veterans and their families, the work AmeriCorps does makes a difference. And there’s no denying that the overall success of our state has always relied on the hard work and dedication of individuals and organizations like yourselves.”
Serve Wisconsin Executive Director Jeanne Duffy reflected on the impact the honorees have made and the example they set for others, “the honorees we recognize today represent the very best of Wisconsin—people who give of themselves, who uplift others, and who remind us of the power of compassion in action. Their selfless contributions have created lasting, positive change, and we are proud to share their stories with you. But today is not just about our award recipients—it’s also a celebration of all those across Wisconsin who show up every day to serve. Whether through formal programs or quiet acts of kindness, your efforts are building stronger, more connected communities. You all play a vital role in making Wisconsin a better place to live.”
The Governor’s Service Awards honors outstanding Wisconsin volunteers, AmeriCorps members, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers, and national service organizations that address serious social needs across Wisconsin. The 2025 ceremony recognized twelve individuals and one organization from throughout the state for their outstanding volunteerism and service and 33 AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers for reaching the milestone of twenty years of volunteer service in their communities. The awards were presented on May 15 at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison and were sponsored by Serve Wisconsin, the state commission for national and community service.
After acknowledging the challenges that many national service programs have faced, Governor Evers thanked them for their service, saying, “I will continue to use every lever and power available to me to continue supporting your good work because if there’s one thing I know for sure, we couldn’t be more grateful that each and every day you choose to serve the public and the greater good. Thank you all again for your dedicated service to Wisconsin and the people of this state, and congratulations to this year’s award recipients.”
A recording of the ceremony is available at https://youtu.be/4Dsm294-dbQÂ
Service descriptions for each honoree are available at https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/s/Service-Descriptions-2025-Governors-Service-Awards.pdf
Additional information about the Governor’s Service Awards can be found at https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/governors-service-awards
 2025 Governor’s Service Awards Honorees Â
AmeriCorps Member of the Year
Julie Wilson – Marshfield Clinic Health System – Recovery Corps (Eau Claire)Â
AmeriCorps VISTA Member of the Year
Bharath Shetty – Wisconsin Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (Milwaukee)Â
AmeriCorps Alumni of the Year
Sara Shaw – served with Teach For America Milwaukee (Milwaukee)Â
AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer of the Year
Chuck Kamp – RSVP of Dane County (Madison)Â
AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer of the Year
James Lee – Interfaith Caregivers of Ozaukee County (Cedarburg)Â
AmeriCorps Seniors Lifetime Impact Volunteer
Harriet Edwards – ADVOCAP Foster Grandparent Program (Fond du Lac)Â
AmeriCorps Seniors Lifetime Impact Volunteer
Maryann Ludwigson – CESA 10 AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program (Chippewa Falls)Â
AmeriCorps Seniors Lifetime Impact Volunteer
Judy Wightman – RSVP of Rock County (Beloit)Â
AmeriCorps Seniors Program of the Year
Interfaith Caregivers of Ozaukee County AmeriCorps Seniors Program (Grafton)
 Volunteer of the Year
Analena Peterson – Literacy & Positive Impact Advocacy (Germantown)
 Volunteer of the Year
Sage Spear – United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties (Whitewater)
 Volunteer of the Year
Jaxson Thomas – Jaxson’s Christmas Toy Drive (Kenosha)Â
Marty Stein Friend of National Service Exemplary Supporter
Steve Frodl – emeritus program director of NCCAP AmeriCorps (Wausau) Â
AMERICORPS SENIORS VOLUNTEERS WITH 20 YEARS OF SERVICE
In addition to these nomination-based awards, the Governor’s Service Awards will also recognize all AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteers who will have reached their 20th year of volunteer service between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025.
ADVOCAP Foster Grandparent Program
Harriet Edwards
Foster Grandparent Program of Portage County
Marilyn Pederson
Milwaukee County and Waukesha County RSVP
Mary Jo Burkemper
Ed Ericksen
Gail Hovey
Mary Kubesch
Bud Moertl
Paul Trojan
Dianne Warrick
John Watta
RSVP of Dane County
Stuart Baker
Robert H. Coffin
Thomas Krauskopf
Sherry Lange
Suzanne Matiash
Stephanie Moritz
Georgia Punswick
Bob Ruder
Doris Marie Schnabel
Jerry Schultz
Sue Sheets
Deborah Speckmann
RSVP of Portage County
Roseann Debot
Steve Lybeck
Joanne Mlodik
David Pederson
Donna Rossing
RSVP of Rock County
Lina Nelson
Judy Wightman
Volunteer Fox Cities RSVP
Robert Salm
Kathleen Salm
Western Dairyland RSVP
Louise Bauer
Dianne BossertÂ
An online version of this release is available here.
