The Touching Lives Award recognizes non-management staff that provide front line services to a Frederick County nonprofit’s clientele, or that provide administrative support that sustains the operations of the organization, and does not manage any staff members (employees). These nominees have demonstrated outstanding involvement and commitment to touching the lives of others. Thank you to The Ausherman Family Foundation and Ghost Writer LLC for their continued sponsorship in support of the Touching Lives Awards!
Karli Cole
Maryland Ensemble Theatre
Karli grew up at the MET. She started as a student, went to Fun Camp, and later interned there in high school. Over the years, she’s worked on shows, taught classes, and now she’s here full time. In many ways, Karli never really left. The MET has always been a constant in her life, and it’s incredibly meaningful for her to now give back to a community that gave so much to her.
Karli thinks her job is truly the best job ever. She works with anywhere from 30 to 150 kids, depending on the school, teaching them songs, dances, and acting skills. Over the course of a few months, they come together to put on a full production, which is incredible to watch!
Her greatest accomplishment, and what she finds most rewarding, is watching the children grow up over time. One of the very first students she taught recently graduated from college, and she had the opportunity to see his final work before he graduated. Moments like that are a full-circle reminder of the lasting impact of her work.
She loves working in this field because of the impact it has on young people and their growth. The MET, in many ways, raised her. It feels like home, like family, and returning to a community that gave so much to her is incredibly meaningful.
What she finds most fulfilling is being part of someone else’s development. Watching a child who begins the program shy and uncertain grow into someone who is open, confident, and expressive by the end is one of the most rewarding parts of her work.
Karli would especially like to thank Julie Herber. “I truly would not be able to do any of this without her or the MET. Their support and belief in this work have meant everything.” What (The MET) does in this community is so important. The arts are struggling, and being able to provide opportunities for children, especially those who might not otherwise have access, is incredibly meaningful. It’s a privilege to help create those experiences and open those doors.
“As Managing Director of Maryland Ensemble Theatre, I am tremendously grateful to have Karli serve as our Lead Teaching Artist. Bringing her onto the staff in a more formal role was a tremendous win for our entire team and for the hundreds of students we serve each year. Karli is highly collaborative, generous with her expertise, and a true asset to our organization. She embodies the passion, drive, and deep commitment to accessible, high-quality theatre education that defines MET’s mission. Through her leadership in classrooms and onstage, she is integral to cultivating the next generation of artists and arts supporters in Frederick. Our community is stronger because of her vision, dedication, and heart.”
– Melynda Burdette Wintrol, Managing Director
Learn more about Maryland Ensemble Theatre
Mandy Strawn
The Community Foundation of Frederick County
Mandy has been with the Community Foundation of Frederick County for 1.5 years. She serves as the Administrative Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator Specialist.
As the first impression for many who visit the Community Foundation of Frederick County, Mandy greets guests at the front desk with a welcoming presence. She also recruits and coordinates volunteers for projects throughout the year, serving as their main point of contact and ensuring they are well-prepared with the necessary information and documentation.
Mandy especially values opportunities to connect donors, volunteers, and grant recipients in ways that bring the impact of giving to life. Whether honoring the memory of a loved one or witnessing someone receive much-needed support, these moments highlight the true purpose behind each contribution.
She recalls a meaningful interaction with a volunteer who was also a donor. While assisting her with the Foundation’s software, the conversation turned personal, and the woman shared that her son had been a scholarship recipient through the Community Foundation. It was a powerful full-circle moment. In that exchange, Mandy was reminded just how deeply her work contributes to strengthening and connecting the community.
Mandy’s husband serves in the military and is currently stationed at Fort Detrick. Originally from Kansas City, their family has moved frequently over the past 23 years becoming part of many different communities. Wherever they go, Mandy is intentional about getting involved and building connections. Through her work with the Community Foundation, she has found a meaningful way to engage with the Frederick community and learn more about its rich history.
Mandy and her husband have two children, one attending Urbana High School and the other at Penn State University. She stays actively involved in her community through the Urbana High School Band Boosters. As her husband approaches retirement from the military, they look forward to putting down roots and remaining in the Frederick community.
“Mandy exemplifies professionalism with a caring heart every day in her position with the Community Foundation. She has a knack for making everyone feel welcome and valued, with a gift for saying the right words of encouragement at the right time. We are so fortunate to have Mandy on our team.”
– Elizabeth Y. Day, President and CEO
Learn more about The Community Foundation of Frederick County
Jessica Wareham
Delaplaine Foundation, Inc.
Jessica has been working for The Delaplaine Foundation for 4 years. She serves as an Executive Assistant.
In her role, Jessica says, “I am the wing man for all the team.” Jessica supports the Foundation’s leadership, Board of Trustees, Associate Board Members and staff assisting with administrative operations and organizational coordination.
Jessica is very organized and has great attention to detail. She has over 14 years of experience in the administrative field, with a strong background in executive support, organization, and day-to-day operational management. Her experience and attention to detail help ensure the Foundation’s work runs smoothly and efficiently.
She chose The Delaplaine Foundation because it is not corporate; it’s family owned with family first importance. She says they make it easy to work full time and have an active family. She is a wife and the proud mother of three children, two daughters, one son and the new arrival of another son mid-August of 2026.
“Both personally and professionally, Jessica models a genuine passion for Touching Lives for good through her consistent commitment to investing in the potential and the empowerment of rendering service to enrich the lives of others.”
– Marlene B. Young, President
Learn more about The Delaplaine Foundation, Inc.
Kim Pyles
Frederick Health Hospice
Kim has been at Frederick Health for going on 17 years, and just started with Frederick Health Hospice in 2025. She serves as an Administrative Assistant.
Kim loves her job because she likes to help people. She enjoys being there to help patients and their families during hard times.
She loves helping people, and all of her roles at Frederick Health have been in areas of care. She feels that God led her to Hospice, and it was important to her that she leave a part time role to take on full-time work. Working with patients and their families is incredibly meaningful, and she values the opportunity to pray for them in their time of need, even if just quietly to herself.
Her leadership is rooted in service; she proactively anticipates the needs of her team, often surprising us with our favorite foods to keep spirits high. A natural collaborator, Kim never waits to be asked for help. Whether she is stepping in to assist a colleague or eagerly taking on new duties to streamline operations, her innovation and “can-do” attitude keep the office running seamlessly. Her passion for her work has a profound positive impact on her peers, who rely on her steadiness, and the clients, who find solace in her kindness. Kim nurtures a community, exemplifying the heart of the hospice mission through every interaction.
“Kim is often the first point of connection for families in their hardest moments. Her ability to lead with immediate compassion doesn’t just answer a call—it starts a journey of healing. She exemplifies the kind of care we promise to every individual in our community.”
– Korey Cobb, Director
Learn more about Frederick Health Hospice
Vanda Yamkovenko
Asian American Center of Frederick
Vanda started working with the Asian American Center of Frederick as a Project Manager in 2017 after moving to Frederick from Ukraine. At first, she started as a scheduler and interpreter.
In 2018, the AACF learned about her teaching background and she wrote a grant for training community health workers, which began her journey training the CHWs. In 2020, a bill was adopted to require training to be certified, and her program became only the third accredited program in MD. She has now added peer recovery training and other accredited programs. Vanda has helped to develop a network of employers, career readiness training, and cultural competency training. She is a licensed trainer for interpreters and trains people for free from all over the local area.
Vanda considers her greatest accomplishment to be the ability to provide that free training for people who, otherwise, wouldn’t be able to afford the education but are especially talented in healthcare. It makes her the happiest when she gets to hear from past graduates who have gone on to find success. She loves working at AACF because every one she works with has a passion for helping people, and her Executive Director Elizabeth has a skill for developing talent.
Vanda would like to specifically thank the people who nominated her!
“Vanda is the person I call “The Queen of Resilience”. No challenge is too daunting for her problen-solving spirit to tackle. She is a true weaver – connecting knowledge, services, cultures, and people across our community. Her initiative and work ethic inspire everyone around her. Through her leadership, programs, and mentorship, Vanda continues enriching the future of Maryland’s communities.”
– Elizabeth Chung, Executive Director
Learn more about the Asian American Center of Frederick
Our gratitude goes out to our sponsors for their commitment to helping to recognize our unsung heroes of nonprofits in Frederick County
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