Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues Announces 2025 D.A.R.E. Honorees

The Phoenix Equal Opportunity Department and the Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues announced the honorees for the 2025 Disability Awards and Recognition Event (D.A.R.E.).  

The award ceremony is held annually to honor and recognize champions that made a commitment to improving the quality of life for all residents and communities of Phoenix. The commission hopes it will inspire others to emulate the honorees and provide inclusiveness for the community of Phoenix. 

2025 Honorees:

Detective Walter Olsen Lifetime Achievement Award

Valerie Pieraccini

Gina Lipko

Outstanding Educator Award

Pauline Arrillaga

Executive Director

National Center on Disability and Journalism

Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at ASU

Outstanding Business Award

CHESWORTH films

Architecture Award

South Mountain Visitor Center

City of Phoenix, Parks and Recreation Department

Community Service Award

Councilwoman Debra Stark

Darrel Christenson

Outstanding Nonprofit Award

First Place AZ

To learn more about the Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues, visit Phoenix.gov/mcdi.