Evelyn G. Ullman Innovative Leadership Award Winner 2006

Douglas Ammar
Executive Director
Georgia Justice Project





Award Criteria and Selection Process
This award, a check in the amount of $15,000 to the recipient’s nonprofit organization, is presented every other year at the Georgia Center for Nonprofits’ annual Georgia Nonprofit Summit to an outstanding nonprofit leader who exhibits innovation in meeting critical community needs. 

We received 135 impressive nominations—from across Georgia— for this first-time award, and selecting finalists, let alone a single winner, was a challenge. To help guide selection, we determined
clear judging criteria. What did we look for?

Innovation--creativity in solving a tough problem

Impact--what the project or program actually achieved

Strategic thinking--methodical planning, with a long range view

Entrepreneurship--finding a way to build effective programs that in part, at least, fund themselves

Collaboration--working with other organizations or programs to leverage knowledge and work
and

Replicability--programs that could be replicated or used as models for other programs

Applications were first reviewed by a GCN staff committee, which selected five finalists. These finalists were 

• Douglas B. Ammar, Executive Director, Georgia Justice Project, Atlanta
• Sally Flocks, President and CEO, Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety, Atlanta
• Andrea Hinojosa, Executive Director, Southeast Georgia Communities Project, Lyons, Ga.
• Erwin Mitchell, Chairman, The Georgia Project, Dalton, Ga.
• William C. Warren, M.D., Founder and President, The Good Samaritan Health Center, Atlanta

From these five finalists, an external committee composed of nonprofit leaders selected the winner.

About Douglas Ammar and Georgia Justice Project
After much discussion, and careful deliberation, this committee selected Douglas Ammar, executive director of the Georgia Justice Project, as the first winner of the Evelyn G. Ullman Innovative Leadership Award. 

As executive director of the Georgia Justice Project, Doug Ammar works to ensure justice for the indigent criminally accused and to assist them in establishing crime-free lives and living as productive citizens.

One of Doug’s many accomplishments at GJP is the founding of New Horizons Landscaping. This innovative business employs Georgia Justice Project clients, who are indigent criminally accused--offering them on-the-job training and steady employment.

Not only does this program support the organization’s mission, but it is also earns money to support the organization’s other work.

Under Doug’s leadership, GJP has had numerous successes: The recidivism rate for the organization’s clients is 18.8 %, compared to a national average of over 60%. And the incarceration rate for these clients is 7.3% compared to a national average of over 70%.

Scott Laseter, board chair of the Georgia Justice Project, comments about Doug:

“Upon first meeting Doug, I was struck by his eloquent portrayal of his clients and their ‘brokenness.’ And I was even more impressed with the work of Georgia Justice Project in healing that brokenness.

Doug’s long-term commitment, persistence, and zeal in defending society’s castaways are a model for any public interest attorney. His hopefulness, faith, compassion, and inclusiveness are a model for any member of the community that seeks to forge a better Atlanta.”

Congratulations to Doug on a job well done.  And congratulations to all this year’s Ullman award nominees for their leadership and hard work!

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About Evelyn G. Ullman and the Award Fund
An Atlanta resident for much of her life, Evelyn G. Ullman has dedicated her life to service and has made a powerful impact on the Atlanta community and those around her. During the AIDS crisis of the early 1980s, Evelyn saw a gap in services available to address the resulting human needs.

Rather than rely on others to address it, Evelyn responded by starting Jerusalem House, a nurturing and supporting environment for homeless men, women and children with AIDS. 

Pulling on her personal resources, relationships and her drive to make a difference, Evelyn succeeded in engaging others in this important endeavor. Jerusalem House continues its mission today, and stands as a testament to her innovative and strategic leadership, as well as her willingness to use her time, talent and treasure to solve an unmet need in her community. 

Not only is Evelyn Ullman a leader in her own right, she is also now a patron to other leaders. Through her generous contribution of $75,000, she and the Georgia Center for Nonprofits have established an awards program that celebrates exceptional and innovative nonprofit leadership.

The Evelyn G. Ullman Innovative Leadership Award will be given every other year, over the next 10 years, to an outstanding individual who has shown superior leadership in addressing a community issue.

The recipient's organization will receive a check for $15,000--again, made available by the Evelyn G. Ullman family.

The Georgia Center for Nonprofits is honored to administer this prestigious award, and we thank Evelyn and her family--not only for their generous financial contribution, but also for their commitment to encouraging and rewarding outstanding leadership in the nonprofit sector.