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Paula F. Goldberg
Champion for Children with Disabilities Award

This award, announced during PACER’s Gala, recognizes an individual or group who has demonstrated exceptional advocacy and leadership in support of the rights of children with disabilities and celebrates Paula’s extraordinary 40+ years of leadership as PACER’s executive director.  

Paula Goldberg was a great leader who made the world a better place for countless children with disabilities through her work at PACER Center. This award was created in her honor to encourage and recognize advocacy and leadership in support of the rights of children with disabilities. 

Watch for 2026 award information

PACER Center is delighted to present Juan Diego Pérez La Cruz with the Paula F. Goldberg Champion for Children with Disabilities Award

Juan Diego
Pérez La Cruz

2026 Winner

Juan Diego has been committed to serving children with various disabilities for over 15 years. He is a special education paraprofessional for the Wayzata school district and behavioral assistant for Explorers, an after-school program in the Minnetonka school district. He makes creative, educational content to meet his students’ specific needs and prioritizes maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for them that preserves the joy and magic of childhood. He’s also published videos online that adapt books like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? for students who use AAC communication devices. His passion for this work began early in his life when he was living in Venezuela and volunteering at school-based creativity and service programs and in pediatric oncology support. In addition to his work, he provides volunteer artistic engagement and emotional support to children through Crescent Cove, is a volunteer photographer for Ampersand Families.

His sister, Maria Fernanda Vandersteen, who nominated him for this award, said this about him: “What impresses me most is his unwavering dedication. Juan’s conviction transcends material reward or recognition. He lives his purpose of uplifting children and families every day. His empathy, perseverance, visible role in the Latino community, creative educational contributions, and the fact that he is currently in the process of becoming a father through adoption make him a true role model for children, families, and educators alike.”

Nominations are currently closed

Seeking 2026 award nominations

The winner will be presented with $5,000 to support their ongoing efforts and will be honored at PACER’s Gala on April 25, 2026. They will also be recognized on PACER’s website, social media, and other communications.

Submit a nomination

The deadline for nominations is March 6, 2026.

The recipient of the Paula F. Goldberg Champion for Children with Disabilities Award is:

  • A visionary leader. The award winner is both a dreamer and a doer. They are able to look at an issue and envision a path to positive change. They take initiative, and through their vision, are able to inspire others to join together to achieve great things for children with disabilities. They not only have a vision to execute, but also a plan to succeed.
  • A tenacious advocate. The award winner is unwaveringly persistent in their advocacy for children with disabilities. They are undeterred by challenges and even failure, understanding that there are often setbacks on the road to success.
  • A true role model. The award winner is a person of achievement, integrity, and dedication, whose positive attitude and commitment to the cause inspires others to follow in their footsteps.

 

Questions? Contact [email protected]

Meet the past recipients 

2025

Haley Brunelle

Headshot of Nicole Mae Palmer

2024

Nicole Mae Palmer 

2022

Maren Hulden

Haley Brunelle

2025 Winner

Haley’s Gillette colleague, Rhonda Cady, said this of
Haley in her nomination: Haley was thrown into navigating
the world of complex health and disability services. Her
positive view of the world and ability to give grace to any and
all situations transformed a former marketing executive into
a fierce advocate who is focused on helping persons with
rare and complex health conditions navigate ‘the system’
and obtain the resources they need to thrive. Haley has
taught our research teams how to authentically partner with
[families] and embrace open, honest communication and
‘outside the box’ ideas. Her vision is directly impacting the
care and quality of life for children with disabilities.

Haley received a second nomination from her friend Tram
Nguyen, who stated: Haley is a dedicated advocate, leader,
and innovator in the disability community who is using her
lived experience and professional expertise to create a
lasting impact. As a mother of a child with complex medical
needs, Haley has transformed personal challenges into
systemic change through legislative advocacy, community
engagement, and leadership.

Headshot of Nicole Mae Palmer

Nicole Mae Palmer

2024 Winner

Christine Palmer, who nominated Nicole for this award, said this about her: Nicole exemplifies visionary leadership because she noticed that children with disabilities were underrepresented in her college mentorship program and worked effortlessly to create a positive change. As a volunteer camp counselor for children with disabilities similar to her own, Nicole has worked to create safe, accessible spaces for kiddos to connect and feel heard. She helps her campers grow in confidence, embrace their identity as being disabled or medically complex, and see strength and beauty in their unique selves. Nicole serves as a leader, role model, and symbol of hope for her campers with complex health conditions and disabilities.

Nicole has a growth mindset and views the opportunities in front of her not “as they are” but imagines what “they could be.” If a clear path is not already established, she is not afraid to forge a new one. She views her disabilities not as barriers; but as opportunities to work passionately to create a more accessible environment for everyone, especially children with disabilities. 

Maren Hulden

2022 Winner

Maren Hulden is a Supervising Attorney at the Minnesota Disability Law Center, where she previously worked as an advocate with the Legal Services Advocacy Project. She is also the parent of a young son with a disability. Maren helps legislators and community members understand problems from both a systemic and human level, and has a deep understanding of the barriers to inclusion faced by children with disabilities and their families. Maren has been instrumental in helping pass legislation, including recovery education, inclusive childcare, and more.

Julia Page who nominated Maren for this award, said this about her: “She is one of the most effective advocates I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Maren is astute in her advocacy both in content knowledge and relationship building. Maren possesses a perfect combination of warmth, empathy, story-telling, and deep knowledge of data and policy. I truly think that she could work with anyone and get any goal accomplished. In addition to her vast knowledge as an attorney, her experience as an educator and mother of a young child with a disability give her a deep understanding of the barriers to inclusion that children with disabilities and their families face. Maren is constantly working to promote and protect the human rights of people who have disabilities, and she is deeply deserving of this award.”