Sav Rodgers
Transgender Film Center | Service to Film & TV
Originally from Kansas, Sav Rodgers is a filmmaker, writer, and pop culture documentarian. Sav’s debut feature Chasing Chasing Amy explores the complicated legacy of Chasing Amy (1997) and its profound impression on his life. In 2018, Sav gave a TED Talk on the subject, appropriately titled, “The rom-com that saved my life.” The film had its World Premiere at Tribeca, and played at prestigious festivals including the BFI London Film Festival, Outfest Los Angeles, and the Palm Springs International Festival. Sav was awarded the Cleveland International Film Festival’s DReam Maker Award for pioneering LGBTQ+ filmmakers for his work on the documentary.
Sav’s experiences as a queer Midwesterner with a wild imagination have spurred the writing of scripts that center on highly specific, surprising stories about LGTBQ+ people. His screenplays have been recognized by GLAAD, Outfest, ScreenCraft, among others.
Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2024, Sav is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Transgender Film Center, a nonprofit aiming to help trans creators bring finished films to audiences around the world. In 2024, TFC awarded $100K in funding to transgender filmmakers. In 2025, they are on track to grant $170K.
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Michael Gonzalez
Rural Schools Innovation Zone / Service to Education
Mike Gonzalez, an unwavering advocate for equitable education, serves as the Executive Director of the Rural Schools Innovation Zone (RSIZ). With over 30 years of experience in the education field, Mike has demonstrated an enduring commitment to fostering opportunities for students in South Texas while building the Zone, a catalyst for rural innovation across the country.
Mike's educational journey began as a teacher and coach, a role he held for two years, where he not only imparted knowledge but also served as a mentor and role model to young minds. His passion for guiding students led him to take on the responsibilities of an athletic director for seven years.
Recognizing the pivotal role that school leadership plays in shaping educational outcomes, Michael stepped into the role of principal for a remarkable 17 years. During this time, he tirelessly worked to create nurturing environments that empowered students to excel academically and personally. His dedication to the betterment of rural education in South Texas began to crystallize during these years.
In his current position as the Executive Director of RSIZ for the past five years, Micha Gonzalez has become a driving force in the fight for opportunities in rural communities. firmly believes that a student's potential should never be limited by their zip code. Mike tireless efforts and visionary leadership have paved the way for innovative solutions that bridge the gap between urban and rural education, offering all students an equal chance to pursue their dreams.
Mike's exceptional contributions to education have not gone unnoticed. He has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career, both at a personal level and on behalf of RSIZ, showcasing his dedication and impact on the education community. Outside of his professional life, Michael is a devoted husband of 31 years to his wife Judi and a proud father to three children: Danielle Barnes (30), Kristen Gonzalez (27), and Jordan Gonzalez (22). These personal connections fuel his commitment to creating a brighter future for all students in South Texas.
Mike's story is one of unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and a profound belief in the transformative power of education. His journey continues to inspire those who are fortunate enough to work alongside him as he leads RSIZ towards a future where every rural student has the opportunity to achieve their dreams.
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Nicole Klepladlo
The Red River Cultural District | Service to Music
Nicole Klepadlo is an accomplished leader with over 15 years of experience driving mission-driven community initiatives and policies that strengthen and sustain the creative industries and place-based efforts. With a background in social work and community and economic development planning, she brings a deep understanding of how people, place, and cultural experiences intersect to shape vibrant communities.
As the Founder of Roots + Connections Consulting Nicole has been a champion for music, arts and local economies, leveraging strategic planning, advocacy, and capacity-building to empower creatives and cultural organizations. With a love for place-based initiatives, her work focuses on fostering consensus and driving tangible change at the intersection of policy, commerce, and creativity.
In her role as the Executive Director for the Red River Cultural District, Nicole employs a creative, community-driven approach to protect and nurture a vital arts and culture district facing development pressures and shifting urban dynamics. Through collaboration with local, state, and federal stakeholders—as well as grassroots organizing—she has helped shape a model for sustaining cultural districts amid rapid change and evolution. She also works closely with a coalition of music-based nonprofits to safeguard and grow the creative economy, ensuring artist and cultural workers have the resources and support they need to thrive.
A native of Michigan, Nicole holds a Master’s in Urban Planning from Wayne State University in Detroit and has earned certifications in nonprofit management and economic development finance from the National Development Council. Her multifaceted expertise—spanning community planning, economic development, entrepreneurship, and the creative industries—positions her as a dynamic force in fostering inclusive growth and amplifying underrepresented voices and causes.
Throughout her career, Nicole has led cross-functional teams and developed impactful programs and policies that drive meaningful support for artists, musicians, cultural and local entrepreneurs. With experience in the nonprofit, philanthropic community finance, music, creative, startup, private, and government sectors, she thrives in hands-on projects and is deeply committed to mentorship and long-term sustainability for the creative economy.
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Matthew Long
[C]worthy.org | Service to Environmental Conservation
Matthew Long, PhD, is co-founder and CEO of [C]Worthy, a non-profit research organization focused on building tools to ensure safe, effective ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Prior to co-founding [C]Worthy, Long held a position as a Scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, where he worked on the development of the Community Earth System Model and conducted research on ocean biogeochemistry, marine ecosystems, and the global carbon cycle. Prior to NCAR, he built and deployed instruments to measure ocean carbon variables at sea, worked as a civil engineer developing river and sewer-network models, and taught high school as a United States Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania. Dr. Long holds Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Tufts University and a Ph.D. in Oceanography from Stanford University.
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Anne Filipic
No Kid Hungry | Service to Ending Hunger
Over the past twenty years, Anne Filipic has led consequential civic, philanthropic, and political efforts that have helped transform the nation. Currently, Anne is CEO of Share Our Strength, a national non-profit helping kids, families and communities through the No Kid Hungry campaign, and working on the root causes of hunger to create more financial security for families. Previously, she served in the White House as Assistant to the President for Management and Administration. In this role, Anne was responsible for building and maintaining the most diverse staff in White House history.
Prior to joining the White House, Anne was the Chief Program Officer at the Obama Foundation, where she developed global programs focused on civic engagement and leadership development. She also oversaw the integration of two major initiatives, My Brother’s Keeper and The Girls Opportunity Alliance, into the Obama Foundation. Previously, Anne led Enroll America, a national healthcare coalition designed to support Americans in enrolling in and retaining healthcare coverage made available through the Affordable Care Act. Enroll America’s work supported a net increase of over 20 million Americans gaining healthcare coverage in under four years. In recognition of Enroll America’s impact, Anne was named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” by Modern Healthcare magazine.
Anne has also served as Deputy Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She started her career in electoral campaigns and advocacy, including holding leadership roles on President Obama’s 2008 campaign and serving as Field Director for the Obama Iowa caucus campaign.
Originally from Ohio, Anne is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband, Carlos, and their three young children.
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