The highlight of last year’s Rad Awards were undoubtedly the people — mostly women — in the room. Philadelphia entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, activists and athletes making impacts in their fields and demonstrating a passion for supporting others, especially other women, filled the space to overflowing. It was a rare, joyful gathering of people transforming our city, one business, one story, one case, one creation — one victory — at a time.
Leah Kauffman founded the Rad Awards in 2015 for this very purpose, to celebrate women making positive changes. Last year, Kauffman and The Philadelphia Citizen partnered to host the awards’ first post-pandemic appearance, honoring 16 accomplished women and one male ally. Today, more than 60 Philadelphians have won Rad Awards.
Comcast’s Chief Diversity Officer and President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation Dalila Wilson Scott, won Rad Girl of the Year. In her speech, she said, “It always has and it always will take rad girls to move our city forward and our country forward. So we have work to do, ladies!”
Kauffman and The Citizen are teaming up again for the 2025 Rad Awards. This spring, we put out a call for nominations in 12 categories and received close to 100 responses. We’ve narrowed it down to four finalists in each category and we’re inviting you to fete each one of them (and find out the winner!) at a summer cocktail party at the Fitler Club from 6:30 to 9:30pm on the evening of July 30. The event will be filled with music, style and joy.
Most importantly, it will honor the women and allies who are innovating, breaking barriers and lifting each other up in Philly. Purchase tickets here.
Artist of the Year
Tan Hoang, Comedian, Co-host of Tattooed Momedy
DeJeonge Reese, Artist
Ebony Roberts, Director, United We Heal Film Festival
Anula Shetty, Filmmaker
Storyteller of the Year
Thembi Palmer, Founder, Imagine More Story Adventures
Julie Hancher, Editor-in-Chief, Green Philly
Jo Piazza, Author, Host of Under the Influence Podcast
Bobbi I. Booker, Managing News Editor, WHYY Plan Philly and Jazz Music Host
Nonprofit Leader of the Year
Samantha Mathews, Founder and CEO, Andrée Collective
Jill Fink, Executive Director, Merchants Fund
Saleemah McNeil, Executive Director, Oshun Family Center
Corinne O’Connell, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia
Connector of the Year
Medina Oyefusi, Programmatic and Public Events Manager, Mural Arts Philadelphia
Madison Seidel, Founder, Dessert Before Dinner
Helen Horstmann-Allen, Chief Optimist, Radical Optimism
Tina D’Orazio, Chief of Staff, Philadelphia Eagles
Attorney of the Year
Jasmeet K. Ahuja, Partner Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment, Hogan Lovells
Marissa Boyers Bluestine, Assistant Director, Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School; former Executive Director and Legal Director, PA Innocence Project
Diana Cortes, Partner, Morgan Lewis
Carol Tracy, former Executive Director, Women’s Law Project
Scientist of the Year
Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman, President and CEO, Philadelphia Zoo
Dr. Delana Wardlaw and Dr. Elana McDonald, Founders and CEOs, Twin Sister Docs Foundation
Amelia Zellander, Founder and CEO, BioLattice
Maria A. Oquendo, Ruth Meltzer Professor of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine; Chair of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania
Activist of the Year
Victoria Martin-Nelson, Volunteer, South Philadelphia Community Fridge
Sarah Laurel, Executive Director, Savage Sisters
Madelyn N. Morrison, Director of Programs, The Attic Youth Center
Louisa Mfum-Mensah, Vice President of Partner Experience, Urban Affairs Coalition
Athlete of the Year
Emelia Perry, Triathlon Competitor, 2024 Paralympic Games
Karlie Kisha, Assistant Field Hockey Coach, Villanova; silver medalist for U.S. National/Olympic Field Hockey Team
Tina Sloan Green, former Lacrosse Coach, Temple University; Co-founder, Black Women in Sport Foundation
Niff Nicholls, Founder and Head Coach, Secret Circus Philly
Entrepreneur of the Year
Paige DeAngelo, Founder, Aer Cosmetics
Lindsey Scannapieco, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Scout
Tanya Morris, Founder, Mom Your Business
Ximena Valle, Founding Principal, FIFTEEN Architecture and Design
Innovator of the Year
Julia Rivera, Chief External Affairs Officer, Congreso de Latinos Unidos
Dr. Karen Tang, Founder, Thrive Gynecology
Christine Cox, Artistic and Executive Director, BalletX
Lilly Chen, Founder and CEO, FSH Technologies
Rad Ally of the Year
Adam Dakin, President and CEO, Keriton
David S. Cohen, Attorney, Professor of Law, Drexel University; Board of Directors, Abortion Care Network
Zack Mackey, Community Engagement Supervisor, Lutheran Settlement House
Le Thomas, former President, Philadelphia Black Pride
Rad Girl of the Year
Ryan Hammond, Executive Director, Eagles Autism Foundation
Cristina Martínez, Restaurateur, Chef and Activist, South Philly Barbacoa, Casa México
Dr. Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Human Genetics), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Sarah McAnulty, Squid Biologist, Executive Director, Skype a Scientist
PAST RAD AWARDS
