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Hall of Leaders

Reflecting a lifelong commitment to making a difference in our community and our industry.

The 2025 Hall of Leaders honoree will be recognized at the Best of Direct Gala, Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at the National Housing Center, Washington, DC.

DMAW Hall of Leaders Award – Our Highest Honor

The Hall of Leaders Award is the most prestigious recognition the DMAW bestows –celebrating a truly extraordinary individual whose impact on DMAW and the direct marketing industry is nothing short of transformational.

This honor is reserved for a DMAW member whose achievements in direct marketing are remarkable, whose commitment to our community is unparalleled, and whose leadership has left a lasting legacy. Recipients are visionaries – people who don’t just participate, they elevate. Through tireless dedication, they expand knowledge, inspire excellence, and help shape the next generation of direct marketing professionals.

This award is not simply about service – it’s about trailblazing contributions, exceptional influence, and a nationally recognized commitment to advancing our field.

Best of Direct – Where Celebration Meets Recognition

Best of Direct isn’t just an awards event – it’s a high-energy celebration that fuses the festive spirit of the holidays with the prestige of honoring excellence in direct marketing.

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we toast the year’s top achievements, reconnect with colleagues and friends, and kick off the holiday season in style. It’s the perfect way to reflect on the year’s successes – and look ahead to all that’s coming in the new year!

There are four specific criteria to be eligible for the Hall of Leaders Award:

Achievements

Notable professional achievements

Dedication

Dedication to DMAW demonstrated by intense involvement and participation

Support

Furthering the knowledge and careers of others

Contributions

National recognition or contributions to other organizations in the industry

John-Thompson

2024 Hall of Leaders Honoree

John Thompson

Chief Marketing Officer

TrueSense Marketing and DMAW’s 2024 Hall of Leaders Award Recipient

John Thompson

John’s career in commercial creative arts began on the streets of Georgetown, where he honed his skills as a caricature artist. Armed with only a sketchpad and easel, he gained early insights into the power of creativity to capture attention.

This artistic journey led him to his formal career in 1978, when he joined the Richard A. Viguerie Company as an Art Director. For John, this experience was what he calls a "master class" in direct marketing, cementing his lifelong commitment to creativity, strategy, and the power of targeted communications.

In 1982, during a tough recession and with a growing family, John and his wife Lisa took a bold step, opening Direct Design, a creative studio dedicated to copy and design for direct marketing. After nearly two decades, Direct Design closed in 1999, and John transitioned into a corporate role with Marketing General, Inc.

In 2006, John took on the role of VP of Creative at Merkle, where he worked with some of the brightest professionals in the field, including Roger Hiyama.

This collaboration led to new opportunities, taking him to Moore DM Group’s Barton Cotton and CDR in 2011, and later to Russ Reid’s East Coast office in 2014.

Since 2017, John has served as the Chief Marketing Officer at TrueSense Marketing, where he fosters a culture of creativity and mentorship, guiding teams that continue to shape the nonprofit marketing industry.

This commitment to inspiring others is reflected in the heartfelt quotes from colleagues and peers displayed on the screen. Their words highlight John's profound impact on those fortunate enough to work with him.

John’s contributions to the nonprofit sector go well beyond his day-to-day role. He has been a dedicated volunteer for many years, beginning with his time on the DMAW Board of Directors in the 1990s.

In fact, he’s been recognized as our Volunteer of the Year twice! In 2022, he took on the leadership of the Bridge Conference, serving as marketing co-chair for 5 years; he was overall co-chair in 2021 during the challenging transition to a virtual event. His ability to navigate these changes ensured that the conference continued to thrive, and he will be back to co-chair the 20th Anniversary Bridge Conference in 2025, this time in person!

In addition to his leadership at the Bridge Conference, John has been a MAXI Award recipient many times over, as well as a MAXI judge who continues to play a critical role in recognizing excellence across the nonprofit marketing sector.

His commitment to advancing the field is further reflected in his ongoing contributions to The Nonprofit Alliance, where he continues to share his expertise and insights.

While John has achieved so much professionally, his greatest pride comes from his family. He and Lisa have four children and six grandchildren, a source of joy and fulfillment for him.

Previous DMAW Hall of Leaders Award Recipients

2023
John Bell

2022
Tracy Lea, CFRE

2021
Roger Hiyama

2019
Tiffany Neill

2018
Kate Carr

2017
Allison Porter

2016
Greg Adams

2015
Rick Powell

2014
Rob Rudderow Jr.

2014
Geoffrey Peters

2013
Hal Malchow*

2012
Greg Albright

2011
George McDonnell*

2010
Syma Mendelsohn

2009
Rick Whelan

2008
Jinny Fleischman

2007
Denny Byrne

2006
George Lizama

2005
Jonah Gitlitz*

2004
Karen Depew

2003
Jean Gianfagna

2002
Liz Murphy

2001
Charles Cadigan

2000
Patricia Silver

1999
Linda L. Fisher

1998
Michael O'Hara*

1997
Sherry Marshall

1996
Shephen H. Winchell

1995
James V. Bullard

1994
James Prendergast*

1993
William T. Armistead*

1992
Catherine R. Lincoln

1991
Lu Corbett Daly

1990
C. David Wallace

1989
Jordan M. Lowenstein*

1988
Kathryn A. Smiley

1987
Austin Kiplinger*

1986
Roger Craver

1985
M. Virginia Daly

1984
Kate Petranech

1983
James G. Aldige III

1987
Austin Kiplinger*

1982
Thomas M. Beers*

1981
Ed* and Clyde Sisk

1980
John Murchake*

1979: John Carlin*

1978: Gwen Fitzpatrick*

1977: Paddy Skinder

1976: Bob Ames*

1975: Robert Warfel*

1974: Eileen Charney*

1973: Orville Shirey*

1972: Richard Viguerie

1971: Dorothy Kerr

1970: Roland Kuniholm*

1969: John Jay Daly*

1968: Jim Dimond

1967: Stan Mayes*

1966: Edwin Riley*

1965: Ralph Ives*

1964: Ferd Nauheim*

1963: Guy Yolton*

1962: Anthony Gould*

1961: Jack Fauntleroy

1960: Troy Rodlum*

1959: Boyce Morgan*

1958: Rodney Daffer*