AIHI’s Momentum Awards celebrate industry professionals who are using innovation and bold thinking to move behavioral health care forward. This year’s honorees represent leaders who are redefining what’s possible, expanding access, advancing care and creating meaningful impact in communities across the country.

Congratulations to these forward-thinking leaders. We appreciate their dedication and commitment.

Join us for the official release of the Momentum Awards presentation, where you can watch the video premiere and celebrate this year’s recipients. A link to view the presentation will be available here on May 20th at 12 PM.

• Sector Innovator Award – Dawn Zieger, MPH
• Advocacy Champion Award – Audrey Wang
• Research Pioneer Award – Dr. Allison Metz, Ph.D.
• Population Health Leader Award – Dave Cole, New Jersey State Chief Innovation Officer
• Partnership Award – Diana Chao, Founder & Executive Director of Letters to Strangers

About the awardees:

Dawn Zieger, MPH

As Vice President of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Geisinger, Dawn Zieger has been a transformational innovator in designing behavioral health care delivery models in Pennsylvania, creating much-needed surge capacity for mental health services. Her work has helped build a framework that closes care gaps for hard-to-reach populations, particularly in rural communities.

Audrey Wang

As a coder and mental health advocate, Audrey Wang leverages technology to amplify youth voices and promote inclusive mental health support. She created the platform Affective Cookies, reaching 3,500 users across 60 countries, and has been recognized as a JED Student Voice of Mental Health Awardee, Apple WWDC22 Scholar, and Pete Conrad Scholar.

Dr. Allison Metz, Ph.D.

As Professor of the Practice and Director of Implementation Practice at the UNC–Chapel Hill School of Social Work, Dr. Metz advances implementation science to improve outcomes for children and families. A developmental psychologist and former Director of the National Implementation Research Network, her work focuses on translating evidence into real-world impact while advancing equity, workforce development, and sustainable system change.

Dave Cole, New Jersey State Chief Innovation Officer

As New Jersey’s Chief Innovation Officer and a member of the Governor’s Cabinet, Dave Cole has advanced population health through innovative, data-driven solutions that improve how residents access public services and resources. From helping lead the state’s COVID-19 vaccination technology strategy to launching resident-focused digital initiatives, he has strengthened government responsiveness and community well-being.

Diana Chao, Founder & Executive Director of Letters to Strangers

As a Gen Z, first-generation Buyi Chinese-American immigrant, Diana Chao transformed her personal experiences with bipolar disorder, complex PTSD, and suicide loss into a global movement for mental health advocacy. As Founder and Executive Director of Letters to Strangers, the world’s largest youth-led mental health nonprofit, she uses storytelling and human connection to destigmatize mental illness and expand access to care.