WASHINGTON, DC — Michelle Raymer of Iowa was announced as the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Commission Staff Member Award at an awards ceremony hosted by America’s Service Commissions (ASC) on September 15 in Washington, DC. The awards program is held each year to recognize the accomplishments of state and territorial service commission staff, commissioners, service programs, and champions of national service throughout the United States and its territories.
The Outstanding Commission Staff Member Award is given to an individual commission staff member who demonstrates leadership, implements innovative strategies to get things done, and provides consistent service to programs to realize success.
Michelle Raymer, Deputy Director of Volunteer Service, joined Volunteer Iowa in 2013. During her tenure Michelle has led a wide range of programs, including VGF, AmeriCorps VISTA, Disaster Response, Days of Service, Employer Volunteerism, Service Enterprise, Youth Service, and RSVP. She holds her CVA, has contributed to several national volunteer engagement initiatives, and previously served as Board President for the Association of leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE). Before joining the Commission, Michelle served as a Peace Corps Volunteer and AmeriCorps VISTA member and worked in volunteer engagement with nonprofits. Today, she continues to advocate for investment in strategic volunteer engagement, as well as the volunteer engagement professionals that make it possible, as an effective solution for creating strong, resilient, and thriving communities.
Raymer was one of eleven awardees.
2026 ASC Innovation & Leadership Award Recipients
- Friend of America’s Service Commissions: US Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) and US Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine)
- State Service Leadership Award: Governor Wes Moore (Maryland)
- Outstanding Commissioner: Col. Rebecca Lange (Colorado) and Amanda Nipper (Arkansas)
- Outstanding Commission Executive Director: Brittany Stiffler Crabtree (Missouri)
- Outstanding Commission Staff: Michelle Raymer (Iowa)
- Outstanding Service Program: Providing Access to Court Services AmeriCorps (Arizona)
- Outstanding Service Program Staff: Jane Atkinson (North Carolina)
- Honor Roll: Sandy Scott (Maryland) and Rhonda Taylor (Washington D.C)
“The recipients of ASC's 2026 Innovation & Leadership Awards exemplify the very best of national service said John Kelly, CEO of America’s Service Commissions. Through their leadership, creativity, and commitment to strengthening communities, they are finding innovative solutions to complex challenges and inspiring others to serve. We are proud to recognize these outstanding individuals and organizations whose work is advancing our mission and creating lasting impact across the country.”
Learn more about the awards and awardees.
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About America’s Service Commissions
America’s Service Commissions (ASC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association representing and promoting the 52 state service commissions across the United States and territories with the mission to lead and elevate the state service network. State service commissions are governor-designated public agencies or nonprofit organizations made up of more than 1,000 commissioners, private citizens leading the nation’s service movement and administering more than 75 percent of the federal AmeriCorps State and National funding to address pressing community needs. Learn more at statecommissions.org.