Recognizing public officials who champion the work of nonprofits
The Phyllis Campbell Newsome Public Policy Leadership Award was named in honor of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement’s former director of advocacy and community relations after her untimely passing in 2003. The award was created to highlight the work of elected and non-elected officials who have gone above and beyond in partnership with the nonprofit sector to ensure more vibrant communities.
Each year, the Center honors four public officials with this award. One official is recognized from each of the jurisdictions the Center supports including, the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
Congratulations to our 2025 winners!
Montgomery County Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe, District 2.
Councilmember Balcombe is a strong advocate for her community. Having lived in the Upcounty for nearly 30 years, Councilmember Balcombe is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and do the hard work of community building. Prior to her election to the County Council in 2023, Councilmember Balcombe was the President/CEO of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce. As the CEO of the Chamber, she was actively involved in land use planning, transportation and economic development. She has worked with thousands of nonprofits and businesses, large and small to help create a vibrant local economy. On the Council, her focus remains to strengthen the County’s business climate and bring jobs to the Upcounty.
District of Columbia: Betsy Cavendish, General Counsel for the Executive Office of the Mayor.
Betsy Cavendish’s 40-year career in government and non-profit service includes work in both federal and local government in Washington, DC, where she has served as Mayor Bowser’s General Counsel since January, 2015. Much of her work relating to grantmaking and the nonprofit sector has featured capacity building for nonprofit organizations and empowering lawyers who wish to provide pro bono help to individuals, organizations, and for systemic change. Before joining the Bowser Administration, she was President of Appleseed, a network of public interest justice centers, and served in various leadership capacities at NARAL Pro-Choice America.
Virginia: Anita Friedman, Director of Human Services for Arlington County.
Anita Friedman is Director of Arlington County’s Department of Human Services (DHS). She supervises all five operational divisions delivering services that promote a community of healthy, safe and economically secure children, adults and families. Previously, Ms. Friedman served as DHS Economic Independence Division Chief for 6 years. Prior to this, she worked for more than 20 years in international development, managing social and economic development programs, primarily in Latin America and the Caribbean. She has held positions as Chief of Operations for the Inter-America and Pacific Region of Peace Corps, Country Director of the Peace Corps/Dominican Republic, and Chief Operating Officer for the Latin American Youth Center in Washington, DC.
Prince George’s County: Councilmember Edward P. Burroughs, III, County Council Chair
Edward P. Burroughs III has served on the Prince George’s County Council since February 2022 after 14 years of service on the Prince George’s County Board of Education. His passion for public service was cultivated as a Board of Education member. He was first elected as a Student Member of the Board in 2008. After serving two terms as a Student Member, he was elected to the Board of Education in 2010, representing District 8 until his retirement in 2021. Councilmember Burroughs also worked in the Office of the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney, leading the Youth Diversion Division and developing innovative ways to steer young people away from the criminal justice system. He was later appointed Director of Legislative Affairs where he played a key role in developing crime prevention policies.