John D. Lange International Award
Purpose: To further the work of the NAHRO International Committee by recognizing a person in the housing and community development field who has made an outstanding contribution toward international understanding and exchange of international experience.
History: The award was established in 1983 in the name of John D. Lange, Executive Director of NAHRO from 1951 to 1970, who actively participated throughout his professional career in international exchange and, in his retirement, carried out executive service assignments in Argentina, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Qualifications: Each nominee must have direct affiliation with the housing and community development field and have made an outstanding contribution to international understanding in housing and community development.
Deadline: Monday, July 16, 2013 - contact Katy Gorman by June 28, 2013 if you intend on nominating someone.
The winner will be honored at NAHRO's National Conference in Cleveland, OH, October, 2013.
Apply Online
The 2012 Lange Award Winner is Theresa Williamson, Executive Director, Catalytic Communities, Washington, DC and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Theresa Williamson founded Catalytic Communities (CatComm, www.catcomm.org or ComCat as it is known in Brazil), in 2000, and has served as Executive Director since. Winner of a 2006 Tech Award from the Tech Museum of Innovation in Silicon Valley, and recognized for its 'actionable ideas' by the UN, CatComm makes strategic use of media and networks to link grassroots community groups in Rio de Janeiro with networks of exchange and support. In the lead-up to the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, CatComm is the only organization in Rio working at the intersection of community development, social media, and global networks. Our current work with social media, journalism and video trainings for community organizers is building capacity across the city’s favelas to communicate and attract visibility to community actions and perspectives in the lead-up to these mega-events. Our latest project, www.RioOnWatch.org, is Rio's only English-language community news site.
Scoring Criteria and Lange Application Format
Qualifications: Each nominee must have direct affiliation with the housing and community development field and have made an outstanding contribution in providing, promoting or developing better housing and community development throughout the World.
The review committee will base its recommendation on the following factors:
1. Specific achievements accomplished over an extended period of time in the field of housing and/or community development as a public official, provider or advocate.
2. Professional career in international development either managing international projects, starting new programs in other countries, creating incentives for foreign investments in US communities, and assisting with projects and programs that are being performed by U.S. or international organizations.
3. The extent to which the individual is recognized as an expert in the field as exemplified through scholarly and professional writings, participation in international conferences and meetings and participation in professional exchanges.
Previous Winners
2012
Theresa Williamson, Executive Director, Catalytic Communities, Washington, DC and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
2011
Robert Dubinsky , Chairman, International Housing Coalition, Washington, DC
2010
Sofie Eldor, Director, Urban Planning Department, Ministry of Construction and Housing, Jerusalem, Israel
2009
Michel Holsten, Vice President, Office of Business Development, CHF International, Silver Spring, MD
2008
Rick Gentry, President/CEO. San Diego Housing Commission. San Diego, CA, and former NAHRO President
2007
Dr. Thomas Manion, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Irwell Valley Housing, Manchester, England
2006
Rodney Dykes, Managing Director, RDHS, Ltd., Deputy Chair, Liverpool Housing Action Trust, Formby, Liverpool England
2005
David A. Smith, Recap Advisors, Inc., Boston, MA
2004
Montebang Lawrence Ramashamole, Honorary Treasurer and Immediate Past President, Institute for Housing of South Africa (IHSA), Republic of South Africa
2003
Christine Davies, Housing Researcher/Consultant, Former Trustee of William Sutton Trust, United Kingdom
2002
Claude Roy; Urban Planner, Société d'habitation du Québec, Chair, Canadian Housing & Renewal Association, Montreal, Canada
2001
Peter Kimm; former Director, U.S. - Asia Environmental Partnership; USAID, Washington, DC
2000
Lester Gross, President, International Management Services, Inc., Community Outreach Director, Institute of Public Affairs, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
1999
Mary E. Paumen, Program Officer, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Philadelphia, PA
1998
John Geraghty, Senior International Affairs, Program Officer, HUD, Washington, DC
1997
Gordon Cavanaugh, Esq., Partner, Reno & Cavanaugh, PLLC, Washington, DC
1996
Robert W. Maffin, Consultant and Resident Advisor to Bulgarian Government and Former NAHRO Executive Director
For additional information, contact:
Katy Gorman
877-866-2476, ext. 7223
