Click here to view the full list of past winners
Claudia Ramirez Cuellar
Claudia Ramirez Cuellar turned her own challenges as a new immigrant into nearly two decades of service in Arlington’s schools and community. From Aspire Afterschool Learning to classrooms across Arlington, she is a steady presence: supporting teachers, guiding families, and sharing the knowledge she once had to find on her own so others don’t have to navigate essential services alone.
Nina Janopaul
Nina Janopaul has spent her life advancing housing justice and community well-being across Arlington and beyond. As former CEO of APAH (now True Ground Housing Partners), she led with the belief that housing is not charity, but justice. Today, she brings faith communities into action, building partnerships that turn moral conviction into lasting change.
Kellen MacBeth
Kellen MacBeth has spent nearly two decades driving policy and grassroots change in Arlington. From housing equity to LGBTQ+ rights, he has founded initiatives, shaped local and state laws, and championed marginalized communities with tireless dedication. His leadership has helped move Arlington toward a more just and inclusive community in countless ways.
The annual Spirit of Community Awards & Luncheon celebrates the individuals who make Arlington a better, more inclusive place to call home.
Named in honor of the Honorable William T. Newman, Jr., lifelong Arlingtonian, retired Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit, and founder and president emeritus of Arlington Community Foundation, the Spirit of Community Award has recognized extraordinary community leadership since 1993.
Now in its 32nd year, the 2025 Spirit of Community Awards & Luncheon continued this tradition while expanding it: for the first time, two new honors were presented: the Spirit of Leadership Award, celebrating excellence in nonprofit leadership, and the Spirit on the Rise Award, recognizing an emerging changemaker whose work is shaping Arlington’s future.
Together, these three awards reflect the full arc of community leadership, from those who’ve laid the groundwork to those carrying it forward in bold and inspiring ways. At a time when connection, inclusion, and local impact matter more than ever, the Spirit of Community Awards & Luncheon is not just a celebration: it’s a call to keep building the Arlington we all deserve.
We hope you will join us at future Spirit events in honoring the past, uplifting each other, and investing in the future of our community.
