Kimberly M. Mendoza Iraheta, Director of the Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Initiative at the Boston Public Health Commission, Receives 2026 National Visionary Voice Award

Kimberly M. Mendoza Iraheta, Director of the Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Initiative at the Boston Public Health Commission, Receives 2026 National Visionary Voice Award

Community advocates from several agencies, including BARCC, City of Boston Public Health Commission, BPHC Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Initiative, BPHC Start Strong, City of Cambridge Gender Based Violence Prevention Initiative, HarborCOV, JDI, MACOPGV, and more gather to celebrate Kimberly’s award on September 22.

BOSTON, MA – September 24, 2026 – Jane Doe Inc. is proud to celebrate Kimberly M. Mendoza Iraheta, Director of the Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Initiative at the Boston Public Health Commission, who has received the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s (NSVRC) 2026 Visionary Voice Award. This esteemed national honor recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and innovation in the movement to end sexual violence.

Nominated by Jane Doe Inc., Kimberly was selected for their leadership in advancing survivor-centered prevention and addressing the root causes of gender-based violence in Massachusetts. As the inaugural Director of the Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Initiative at the Boston Public Health Commission, they lead the development of a citywide public health strategy grounded in equity and community partnership, strengthening how Boston prevents and responds to violence. They began their career as a community health worker serving Boston’s immigrant communities, and their work has been defined by a commitment to dismantling systemic barriers and building resilient support systems for survivors.

"Kim embodies the core values of the movement to end sexual violence. Their commitment to bringing together community knowledge, equity, and public health strategy is truly visionary,” said Hema Sarang-Sieminski, Executive Director of Jane Doe Inc. “Kim is so deserving of this award, and we are so glad to celebrate their powerful work to center survivors and address the root causes of violence."

"I am deeply honored to receive the Visionary Voice Award,” Kimberly said. “This award is a reflection of the essential, survivor-centered work being done by the entire team at the Boston Public Health Commission. Our focus remains on advancing public health strategies rooted in equity, deconstructing systemic barriers, and ensuring resilient support systems for every survivor in our city."

The Visionary Voice Award is a premier national distinction presented annually to celebrate the country's most impactful advocates. To learn more, visit: https://www.nsvrc.org/saam/visionary-voice-awards.