Perhaps the best word to describe this year's Willie J. Stratford Award recipient, Deb Hanna, is “authentic.” A long-time community activist, Deb has given countless hours advocating for equality among Charlotteans. While serving as board chair at the McCrorey Family YMCA, Deb also co-chaired a Y volunteer committee designed to build relationships between neighborhoods in the South and the Northwest corridors, including a deeper connection between the boards of the Harris and McCrorey YMCAs. Her authenticity, accountability and compassion are at the core of Deb's leadership and determination even when tough questions of diversity are presented. Deb is a champion of inclusion and diversity of age, race, sex and ideology.

In addition to her efforts at the Y, Deb also serves as the Co-Chair of Community Building Initiative, a nonprofit organization helping people and institutions of this community study, understand and act on both the opportunities and challenges that arise as Charlotte-Mecklenburg experiences these dramatic changes.