For the past 30 years, the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award has celebrated everyday New Jerseyans whose dedication and service have made a lasting impact in their communities. As the program honors its final class of recipients, it’s also celebrating a new generation of changemakers carrying that legacy forward. Joining us this morning are Scott Berrie, Vice President of The Russell Berrie Foundation, and Violet Reed, Executive Director of the Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization, to talk about the award’s remarkable legacy and why inspiring future leaders has never been more important.
About the Author
Isabelle “Izzy” Conklin has always been born for storytelling; her parents even named her after a movie character! She studied Film and Television at Montclair State University, where she produced everything from San Francisco: On the Edge to the award-winning Arizona Stories: Border, Water and Politics.
Now, as a Production Administrator, Izzy keeps creative teams organized and shoots running smoothly, handling everything from prep to post. She’s all about making sure the details are covered so the big ideas can shine.
As a Jersey girl, Izzy’s especially excited to help tell stories rooted in her home state and she’s always down to jump in and bring a great idea to life.