ZeroV Awards

Congratulations to ZeroV's 2026 Awardees!

(Left to Right: Debbie Chandler, April Peacock, Brandy Bernauer, Corissa Phillips, Geni Osborne, Tanya Boyd)

ZeroV Awards

The Sherry Currens Excellence in Advocacy Award (SCEAA) was created in 2019, when our founding mother and executive director, Sherry, retired. For 32 years, Sherry served as a leader in the fight to make Kentucky’s justice and human service systems more responsive to the needs of domestic violence survivors, working to improve the lives of countless women, men, children, and families. Her accomplishments are profound and sustained. Kentucky is a better place for those who have been affected by domestic violence because of Sherry’s incredible contributions. In her honor, we award the SCEAA to those within the ZeroV Coalition who go above and beyond in their commitment to survivors.

The Peace in Kentucky Homes Awards gives ZeroV member programs the opportunity to recognize individuals whose lifelong dedication has made a lasting difference in the lives of survivors and the effort to end domestic violence. These awards celebrate the many forms this commitment can take, from volunteer service and fundraising to advancing systemic change and strengthening the support available to survivors. Sherry Currens herself received a Peace in Kentucky Homes Award.

2026 SCEAA Advocate Awardees

Brandy Bernauer

2026 SCEAA Advocate Awardee
Manager of External Affairs, The Center for Women and Families

Brandy began her career at The Center when she was 20 and has served many roles in the organization. In every capacity throughout her career, Brandy has anchored her work in the heart of what DV work is truly about: not “saving” survivors, but instead empowering, hearing, believing, and unconditionally caring for them. Whether she’s creating survivor-informed programming for survivors in shelter, developing screening tools for survivors on the crisis line, educating communities on the complexities of DV, or providing hands-on support to assist survivors in active crisis, Brandy’s survivor-first approach shows up not only in all aspects of her work but also in setting the standard for what it truly means to be an advocate for survivors.  

Corissa Phillips

2026 SCEAA Advocate Awardee
Director of External Communications, GreenHouse17

Corissa has helped expand the GreenHouse17's capacity to serve survivors through strategic fundraising, grant development, communications, and innovative revenue generation. Throughout her more than 25 years in the nonprofit sector, she has built a reputation for excellence in ethical storytelling, relationship-based fundraising, and trauma-informed grant writing. Though much of her work may be behind the scenes, it is the bedrock that helps GreenHouse17 thrive. She has poured countless hours into the development of funding applications, meetings to resolve concerns about regulatory compliance, and conversations to align partners and build programs that offer survivors a life beyond the trauma they have experienced. Her work continues to strengthen GreenHouse17's mission and expand opportunities for safety, healing, and hope for thousands of survivors each year. 

April Peacock

2026 SCEAA Community Partner Awardee
Former Resident Services Manager, Housing Authority of Covington

In her role at the Housing Authority of Covington, April partnered with the Ion Center for Violence Prevention to empower residents to become leaders in violence prevention. Thanks to her encouragement, multiple residents became certified Green Dot trainers, bringing prevention education directly to their community through people who share their lived experiences. She also collaborated with the Ion Center to develop It’s My Space, a violence-prevention program for middle schoolers that creates a pathway for young people in Covington to build safer futures from childhood through adulthood. April has helped drive lasting, community-wide change by challenging norms around violence, fostering a culture of believing survivors, and equipping residents to protect one another. Her unwavering commitment to creating safer lives for all makes her an exceptional advocate for survivors and a champion of violence prevention.  

2026 Peace in Kentucky Homes Awardees

Tanya Boyd

Nominated by Sanctuary, Inc.

For more than 35 years, Tanya Boyd has dedicated her career to supporting survivors of intimate partner violence and strengthening the movement to end abuse. Since joining Sanctuary, Inc. in 1989, Tanya has helped shape the evolution of victim services, from grassroots community advocacy to the coordinated systems of support available today. Throughout her career, she has ensured survivors’ experiences inform services and community responses, championed compassionate, trauma-informed care, and modeled an approach to advocacy that empowers survivors to make their own decisions. As a mentor and educator, Tanya has shared her knowledge through presentations, technical assistance, and mentorship, preparing future generations of advocates to meet survivors’ needs. She has also highlighted the unique challenges facing rural survivors and encouraged stronger collaboration among agencies and community partners. As she prepares to retire, Tanya leaves behind a stronger movement, a more knowledgeable workforce, and a lasting legacy of compassion, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to survivors. 

Debbie Chandler

Nominated by Barren River Area Safe Space, Inc.

Debbie joined Barren River Area Safe Space in December 1998. What began as a part-time position quickly grew into a full-time role by January 1999, launching a career in which Debbie spent 19 years helping build and manage BRASS’s growing budget and financial operations before retiring in 2018. In 2026, Debbie came out of retirement without hesitation when BRASS unexpectedly lost its Chief Financial Officer. Drawing on her extensive knowledge of the agency’s finances, grants, and complex funding allocations, she helped manage grant applications, maintain compliance with funding requirements, resolve outstanding financial concerns, and complete essential year-end reconciliations. Her expertise and steady presence were instrumental in stabilizing the agency during a challenging transition and ensuring it could continue providing critical services to survivors and families in the community. Debbie’s willingness to return when she was needed most reflects her deep commitment to BRASS and its mission. She exemplifies how creating safer communities requires not only direct support for survivors, but also dedicated individuals working behind the scenes to ensure organizations have the financial stability and resources necessary to carry out that work.  

Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation

Nominated by GreenHouse17

The Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation, a nonprofit supporting the philanthropic efforts of Alltech and the Lyons family, is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of Animals, Consumers, and the Environment. Through its partnership with GreenHouse17, the foundation has turned that commitment into meaningful, tangible support for survivors and families. From providing farm-fresh meat to feed families living in shelter to sharing expertise in farm planning and operations to strengthen future growing seasons, the foundation has helped expand GreenHouse17’s capacity to provide care, cultivate self-sufficiency, and create opportunities for healing. Its generosity and investment in this work demonstrate how community partnerships can make a lasting difference in the lives of survivors. 

Geni Osborn

Nominated by GreenHouse17

For over 20 years, Geni has been a dedicated supporter of the community, consistently willing to invest her time, effort, and resources to do "whatever it takes" to assist survivors. Throughout her decades of support, Geni’s generosity has manifested in various ways: organizing the Hattie Mae Golf Scramble, donating items for auctions, hosting fundraising dinners, and creating awareness opportunities like Luna Fest. As a mother, grandmother, friend, and passionate advocate for survivors, Geni exemplifies what it means to stand by those you care about again and again. 

About Sherry Currens

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