LYNN — Healing Abuse, Working for Change (HAWC) Executive Director Sara Stanley and Board Member Paul Kurker were recognized by the North Shore Chamber of Commerce with the Distinguished Leaders Award.
The Distinguished Leaders Award is presented annually to individuals who have made a profound and lasting impact within their company, industry, and community. Stanley, Kurker, and Tom Sands of Beth Israel Lahey Health received the award at the Chamber’s 105th Annual Dinner Meeting.
HAWC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic abuse and promoting social change. It has community-based offices in Lynn and Salem and also supports Beverly, Boxford, Danvers, Essex, Georgetown, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Magnolia, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Middleton, Nahant, Peabody, Rockport, Rowley, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, and Wenham.
Stanley became the executive director of HAWC in 2018 and also serves on the Essex County Commission on the Status of Women, on the Board of Directors for Jane Doe Inc., and on the Thrive Advisory Council for the North Shore Chamber. She was also named one of the inaugural recipients of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce’s Diamond Awards in 2021, given to extraordinary businesswomen who make a positive impact on their community.
“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by my colleagues … as someone who is committed to the North Shore and committed to seeing that we can all thrive,” Stanley said.
Stanley emphasized the importance of HAWC’s mission, and expressed gratitude to the North Shore Chamber of Commerce for supporting their efforts.
“In reality, most people know someone who has experienced domestic abuse,” Stanley said. “The fact that we have leaders in our community that are willing to donate their time, energy, and talent to supporting survivors and hopefully preventing abuse in the future is really important.”
Kurker is the senior vice president at Eastern Bank and has been a community advocate for more than 25 years. He has served on HAWC’s Executive Committee since 2015, holding the position of Treasurer.
“It was a great honor to be recognized as a North Shore Distinguished Leader, especially alongside Sara Stanley and Tom Sands,” Kurker said. “I am fortunate to work at Eastern Bank who not only allows volunteerism, but encourages [it as one of its] pillars of existence.”
“We are immensely proud of Sara and Paul, and grateful for their unwavering commitment and exceptional leadership in advancing HAWC’s mission. Under their leadership HAWC has strengthened the operation and services available to the community. With a newly developed strategic plan in place that will have a profound impact, their awards are a well-deserved reflection of their tireless work and compassion,” HAWC Board of Directors President Elisa Castillo said.
“As we continue our mission to support survivors and challenge patterns of oppression and violence, we are reminded of how crucial strong leadership and community collaboration are to effecting meaningful change,” HAWC stated in a press release.
For more information on HAWC’s programs and initiatives, visit hawcdv.org. HAWC’s 24-hour hotline phone number is 800-547-1649.
