Introducing this year’s Unsung Heroes

Please join Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and the Smithsonian Community Committee as we honor our colleagues, the 2025 Unsung Heroes of the Smithsonian.

When:
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Where:
Warner Bros. Theater, National Museum of American History

The ceremony will also be webcast live.  Details to follow.

Being an Unsung Hero isn’t about an individual act, but rather an overall attitude and set of achievements that reflect the best aspects of what the Smithsonian and its employees strive to be. Join us as we honor the following recipients.

• Sarah Yvette Billington – Vice President, Museum Relations & Projects – Smithsonian Enterprises
• Frank A. Blazich, Jr. – Museum Curator, Military & Society – National Museum of American History
• Robert D Christensen – Supervisory Electronics Engineer – Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory | Hawaii
• Lemuel “Mark” Edney – Director of Facility Planning & Operations – National Museum of American History
• Yaosca Escobar Oriol – Employee Experience Analyst – Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
• Jenna Gustafson – Museum Assistant – Smithsonian American Art Museum
• Dave L. Jackson – Visitor Services Manager – National Museum of Asian Art
• Kristine Juncker – Management Support Specialist – Office of Sponsored Projects
• Iley E. Lorne – Administrative Office – Smithsonian Facilities
• Mary Monseur – Production Manager – Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage | Folkways Recordings
• Cathryn Murphy – Administrative Specialist – Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory | High Energy Science
• George E. Nassiopoulos – ITS – Enterprise Systems (Unix/Storage) – Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory IT
• Liz Ortiz Olmos – Travel Technician – Smithsonian Tropical Reseach Institute
• Hannah Osborn – Product Specialist – Smithsonian Science Education Center
• John Allan Pilkerton – Mason – Smithsonian Facilities
• Leslie Poster – Senior Writer-Editor – National Musuem of American History
• Ann Marie Rucker – Security Officer – Smithsonian Office of Protective Services
• Leslie E. Shirkey, Jr. – Antenna Assembly Mechanic – Smithsonian Office of Protective Services
• Abby Telfer – Museum Program Specialist – National Museum of National History
• Meredith Watkins – Building Services Worker – Smithsonian Facilities

For more information, please contact SCCEvents@si.edu.