Rupple Citizenship Award - Kim Haws Falasco

2020 Annual Meeting Rupple Award Winner: Kim Haws Falasco

 

Congratulations to the winner of the 2020 Rupple Award – Kim Haws Falasco, Baird Private Wealth Management Director and Branch Manager of the Haws Falasco Group in Akron, Ohio.

Baird created the Rupple Citizenship Award in 1998 to honor Baird’s former Chairman & CEO, Brent Rupple, and to recognize associates who demonstrate the highest level of commitment to their community. The Rupple Award is our most prestigious internal honor for the associate who has most generously given back to his or her community by service and commitment. This year, Kim received the award during the Annual Meeting for All Associates, held for the first time in an entirely virtual format. 

Kim is an avid community volunteer who dedicates her time and energy to make Akron a better place to live. Her passion for creating a caring community is evident through her involvement with many women's, youth and community improvement activities. Not only does she volunteer her time and dedicate her resources, she also encourages her colleagues to get involved and provides them with time to regularly volunteer. 

“Kim has been involved with most of these organizations since the 1990s, yet her determination to make a difference hasn't waned in all of that time. I have never met another individual that has a more philanthropic and giving heart. Kim is extremely humble and would say that she doesn't do that much, but you should see her calendar. She’s like super woman!” says Kim Miller, Branch Administrative Supervisor and Assistant Vice President of The Haws Falasco Group.

Among her many volunteer efforts, Kim is involved with Girls on the Run and United Way of Summit County, Ohio, as well as the Women’s Endowment Fund of the Akron Community Foundation and the American Heart Association’s 2016 campaign executive committee, where she chaired the Go Red for Women campaign. Kim was past president of Baird Women Advisors and the Women’s Network of Northeast Ohio, which named her a 2015 “Woman of Professional Excellence” and an Athena Award Finalist in 2009. In 2018, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Northeast Ohio Chapter presented Kim with the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award.

Kim has been involved with Keep Akron Beautiful since 1997, and currently serves as co-chair of fundraising and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and co-chair of the Green the Scene Fundraiser. In 2019, the organization awarded her with the Keep Ohio Beautiful Board Member of the Year – Dan Weisenbach Spirit Award. The organization empowersOhio communities to take greater responsibility for improving our local environment through litter prevention, beautification, community greening, waste reduction, and recycling. 

“Kim truly is truly one-of-a-kind and embodies all the qualities of the Rupple Award,” says Jacqui Flaherty, Chief Executive Officer at Keep Akron Beautiful. “She’s very deserving of this award and Keep Akron Beautiful wouldn’t be what it is today without her.”

In addition, Kim has dedicated more than 15 years of service to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve (BGCWR),a youth development organiation in Summit County, Ohio, that focuses on providing a comprehensive, integrated approach to serving the full array of needs of at-risk youth between the ages of 6-18. Not only does she devote her time and provide financial support, she shares the successes of BGCWR to raise awareness and inspire others to join the effort. 

“Never losing sight of the true reason why she devoted her time to our organization, Kim actively participates and directly engages with our club members as often as possible. Every time she visits our club, you see her interacting with the kids,” says Julie M. Johnson, President & CEO of BGCWR. “Her dedication of substantial time, talent and treasure truly make an impact for our members.” 

Since 2010, Kim has also been a member for the Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Board of Summit County and is currently President of the Board. 

“Kim has contributed unique, innovative and creative ideas to the program’s marketing and fundraising efforts,” says Beth Cardina, Executive Director of CASA Program of Summit County. “She consistently has shown dedication to the abused and neglected children of Summit County by the length of her volunteerism and strong concentration of service. She’s very passionate about ensuring every vulnerable child in our community is served by a CASA volunteer. Kim makes a valuable contribution to the CASA Program of Summit County and deserves to be honored for her efforts and dedication.”

Baird is proud to honor Kim with this year’s Rupple Citizenship Award for her extraordinary achievements and steadfast dedication to service.

Congrats, Kim!