Prabin (left) and Yvonne (right) at a Mid Atlantic Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) conference.
MACH-affiliated researchers Yvonne Dadson and Prabin Sharma (University at Albany, SUNY) were recently selected to receive the 2025 Empowering Community Resilience Award for the National VOAD Conference in Louisville, KY (May 19 – 22, 2025)!
Yvonne and Prabin attended the Mid-Atlantic Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) conference earlier this year and participated in a student panel. Shortly after, they, alongside another member of the student panel, were notified that they were selected to receive the Empowering Community Resilience Award. Both Yvonne and Prabin are thrilled and shared some personal reflections:
Yvonne Dadson: “VOADs (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) are critical in today’s increasingly disaster-prone world. They unite diverse organizations under the essential 4 Cs: Communication, Coordination, Cooperation, and Collaboration. This framework transforms disaster response by eliminating duplication of efforts while ensuring vulnerable populations are not overlooked. What makes VOADs truly powerful is their comprehensive approach across the entire disaster cycle—from preparation to recovery. By building relationships and systems before disasters strike, they ensure communities receive coordinated, efficient support when they need it most. I am looking forward to joining fellow emergency management professionals at the National Conference (May 19-22) themed ‘Going the Distance’—perfectly capturing the sustained commitment needed to build truly resilient communities.”
Prabin Sharma: “This is incredibly exciting, and I am honored to be part of the VOAD family. Being part of this community is a wonderful opportunity to connect with passionate individuals who are committed to making a positive impact. The wealth of knowledge and experience that each member brings is invaluable, and I am eager to continue learning and sharing within this community.”
This award is available through a generous investment by Walmart.
Student scholar panel including Prabin & Yvonne at the Mid-Atlantic Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) conference.