05/06/2026
Last week, I had the honor of accepting the Henry McMahon Mental Health Advocacy Award.
I felt genuinely touched receiving this recognition. Mental health advocacy has always mattered deeply to me, and over the years I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible children, families, colleagues, mentors, and community members whose experiences and courage continually shape how I see this work and the world.
What made this especially meaningful is that I accepted this award in memory of my best friend, Kim Durham. Kim was a tireless advocate for children and one of the most compassionate, courageous people I have ever known. She fought fiercely for kids, for dignity, for protection, and for people who needed someone in their corner. She was also my twin star, someone who understood both the weight and the beauty of this work in a way very few people ever do.
There are people whose impact continues long after they are gone, and Kim is one of them. I carry her with me in this work every day.
Thank you to Kids Living Well for this meaningful honor, and thank you to the many colleagues, mentors, friends, clients, and communities who have supported these efforts over the years. Advocacy is never done alone.
