RECAP – 4th Annual KAN Leadership Awards

Recognizing Kern County residents whose leadership and service have strengthened our nonprofit community.

The Kern Alliance of Nonprofits’ (KAN) held its 4th Annual Leadership Awards on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Woman’s Club of Bakersfield. We recognized seven distinguished Kern County residents who have made significant contributions to the nonprofit sector in the region and the community as a whole. See the “2026 Honorees” section to learn more about these amazing individuals!

The KAN Team is currently working on next year’s Leadership Awards. Stay tuned for more information!

Photo Gallery

2026 Honoree Bios

Award – Unsung Hero

Heather McCrary has long been a community advocate, volunteer, and animal welfare activist whose work is rooted in service to vulnerable people and animals throughout Kern County. Heather returned to college full time to better prepare herself to create meaningful and lasting change beyond immediate crisis response. After graduating summa cum laude from Bakersfield College, Heather is continuing her education at CSUB, where she is pursuing a self-designed bachelor’s degree focused on Cultural Identity in Global Communities and Social Justice Studies.She also rehabilitates severely injured and ill animals, providing care to animals who have experienced abuse, neglect, and trauma. While focusing on school, Heather continues this work independently while expanding her advocacy through education and research focused on inclusion, access, and belonging. Heather’s volunteer work has included mutual aid, animal rescue, vaccine outreach, support services for the pets of unhoused community members, and hands-on comfort care for children and adults facing terminal illness and AIDS-related illness. Heather believes people are not defined by where they come from or where they have failed, but by what they choose to pursue, build, and offer in service to others.

Award – Board Member of the Year

Yolanda proudly served on the CAPK Board of Directors as the East Kern Low-Income Representative for 25 years, advocating for the needs of underserved communities throughout the region. She regularly visited CAPK sites, attended local events and gathered input from residents to represent their concerns during Board discussions. Yolanda was known for helping connect community members with valuable programs and services. In addition to her Board service, she served as the Salvation Army Food Coordinator in Lake Isabella and was actively involved with organizations including Kern River Valley Bridge, Kern River Valley Collaborative and Kernville Community. Most recently, Yolanda and her daughter, Destinee, were elected co-Mayors of Kernville Whiskey Flat Days. 

Award – Rising Star Award

Jacqueline Aguilar is the Director of Community Development at Youth 2 Leaders Education Foundation and a proud first-generation college graduate dedicated to expanding access to higher education. A double alumna of California State University, Bakersfield, her expertise is in leadership, public relations and community engagement. Jacqueline also serves as President of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Central California Chapter.At Youth 2 Leaders, she leads initiatives that connect first-generation and underserved students with scholarships, mentorship and college readiness resources. Jacqueline is passionate about creating opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to have the guidance and support needed to succeed in higher education.   

Award – Nonprofit Professional of the Year

Gabriel Adame is a dedicated advocate for youth empowerment and educational equity, serving as President & CEO of Youth 2 Leaders Education Foundation. With extensive nonprofit and community leadership experience in Kern County, he is committed to expanding opportunities for underserved youth through mentorship, leadership development, and college readiness programs. Under his leadership, Youth 2 Leaders continues to grow its impact by providing innovative resources that support students’ academic and personal success. Driven by a strong belief in the transformative power of education, he works to inspire and equip the next generation of leaders with the tools and support they need to thrive.

Award – Youth Award (High School)

Juan Antonio López Morales is a 17-year-old senior at Foothill High School. He maintains over a 4.0 GPA and ranks third in a graduating class of 457 students. Juan Antonio is a member of the California Scholarship Federation and received a full-ride scholarship to study abroad in Paris through the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). Juan Antonio serves in student leadership as class secretary and spirit commissioner, mentors peers through the Trojan Advocacy Center, participates in the Migrant Education Program and supports educational outreach through Got the Dot. He plans to attend UC San Diego to study biology and pursue a career as a neonatal specialist in underserved communities.

Award – Lifetime Achievement Award

Gilbert LaRoque, executive director of Bakersfield Recovery Services (BRS), is a dedicated nonprofit leader, recovery advocate and community builder He started at BRS nearly seven years ago, as a substance abuse counselor, and rose into executive leadership through his compassion, discipline and commitment to client-centered care. He helped lead BRS into an integrated healthcare model that combines substance treatment, behavioral health and primary care to support the whole person. Gilbert also played a key role in advancing the Birth Equity Home, a specialized residential treatment program supporting mothers through recovery, childbirth and family reunification. Gilbert has also spent more than 16 years in roles with the Downtown Business Association, Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater, Nile Theater and Apple Core Project.

Award – Nonprofit Contributor/Partner

Brie has dedicated much of her life to serving and strengthening her hometown of Bakersfield. Inspired by her parents’ values and volunteer experiences at St. Francis and Garces, they developed a passion for nonprofit work and community service. Brie founded the Galactic Gala, which has raised more than $500,000 for the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House, and co-founded the Valley Strong Invitational, which raised $300,000 in its first year. They currently serve on the boards of organizations including the Bakersfield Burn Foundation, Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, Motherhood Project, Golden Empire Gleaners and the Hub of Downtown. They also support philanthropic efforts for the Boys and Girls Club of Kern County. At Valley Strong Credit Union, they also empower community initiatives throughout Kern County.