Written by Yingying Lee
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Yingying Lee and Adriana DiBenedetto
The 2025 National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) Conference, held from May 19 to 22 in Louisville, Kentucky, marked a historic first. Here, as more than 700 representatives from emergency relief organizations nationwide united to explore innovative tools for disaster response, Debra Boudreaux, Tzu Chi’s Chief International Affairs Officer, was recognized with the 2025 NVOAD Leadership Award — becoming the first-ever Asian Buddhist female leader to receive the award since the NVOAD’s founding in 1970. Boudreaux dedicated the honor to Tzu Chi’s founder, Dharma Master Cheng Yen, whose guidance led her to a life of compassionate humanitarian work.
This year’s discussions, themed “Going the Distance,” explored resilient and forward-thinking approaches to disaster preparedness and response, embodying the spirit of disaster relief organizations as they stay the course and move forward together. Six Tzu Chi representatives, including Indianapolis volunteers Thomas Hsu, Mingliang Hsu, and Paul Fung, New Jersey volunteer Diana Kwok, and Ihung Yang, from Tzu Chi USA National Headquarters, attended the conference alongside Boudreaux. This conference marked the 55th anniversary of the founding of National VOAD, with participants reflecting on the organization’s journey, and expressing gratitude to the seven founding member foundations that launched this humanitarian effort in 1970. The annual conference continues to serve as a vital forum where members come together to exchange knowledge, explore new developments in disaster relief, and share valuable on-the-ground experiences. The event also honors and recognizes long-time contributors in the field, offering encouragement and support for their enduring commitment to emergency response.
Amid these dialogues, several honorees were celebrated for their dedication within the field of humanitarian relief. Debra Boudreaux’s recognition marked a milestone for inclusive leadership and interfaith collaboration in the disaster response space.
“I am truly honored and humbled to receive the NVOAD 2025 Leadership Award,” said Boudreaux. “Standing here tonight, I feel the weight of so many who have walked alongside me — colleagues, partners, and community members — who believe that compassion is action, and that leadership is service.”
This recognition is not mine alone. It belongs to the quiet strength of volunteers, the tireless efforts of faith-based organizations, and the profound wisdom of interfaith collaboration that defines the heart of VOAD.
In her remarks, Boudreaux paid tribute to Dharma Master Cheng Yen, who guided her on a path of service and global outreach: “This honor also belongs to Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation’s Founder, Dharma Master Cheng Yen, who leads my humanitarian bodhisattva path with Respect, gratitude, and love. In my journey with the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, I’ve seen how disaster can shake the ground beneath us — but also how shared humanity brings us together. Whether it’s wildfire recovery, flood response, or supporting displaced families, we’ve learned that healing comes not just from what we deliver but from how we listen, show up, and care. To my fellow VOAD leaders: Thank you for creating a space where collaboration triumphs over competition and where dignity is restored through unity. May we continue to lead with humility, act with urgency, and serve with love.”
Tzu Chi at the Forefront of Innovation
Six Tzu Chi representatives, hailing from Indianapolis, New Jersey, and Southern California, joined Debra Boudreaux at this year’s conference. Together, they showcased the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation’s environmentally conscious approach to aid through a relief model that bridges compassion with sustainability.
At the exhibition hall, Tzu Chi presented its line of Jing Si furniture, including eco-friendly partition tents and eco-blankets developed by DA.AI Technology. These innovations sparked considerable interest among attendees and partner organizations, many of whom expressed intentions to adopt the materials in future disaster response operations.
Tzu Chi representatives introduce eco-friendly partition tents, furniture, and blankets at the event, striving to integrate sustainable resources into the field of emergency disaster preparedness. Photo/Tzu Chi USA National Headquarters
These thoughtfully designed, sustainable materials are part of Tzu Chi’s complete One-Minute Indoor Shelter System, which encompasses everything from privacy support, to multi-purpose folding beds, trolley cabinets, and mosquito nets. The eco-furniture series is designed to reflect a human-centered approach to recovery, and Tzu Chi’s aim to honor the dignity of survivors.
“The Leadership Award is decided upon by the Board and National VOAD staff based on an individual’s exceptional service to the VOAD Movement and its members and partners. Your work assisting other organizations and communities in need through your organization for so many years made you a clear choice for the Leadership Award,” stated Justin Wilder, NVOAD’s Manager of Communications and Support Services.
Over the course of the three-day conference, delegates from the private sector, civic groups, and religious organizations explored 80 breakout sessions and workshops on topics ranging from AI-powered emergency response logistics, to diaper subsidy programs, water purification systems, disaster relief mobile food trucks, and rebuilding toolkits.
Leading with Love and Faith
Tzu Chi representatives share the foundation’s message of love and care with representatives of different religious organizations. Photo/Tzu Chi USA National Headquarters
Each morning began with interfaith prayer sessions, where representatives from various religious organizations were invited to share messages of love and care, offering encouragement and holistic care to those serving on the front lines of disaster relief. Tzu Chi volunteers took part in these reflections, sharing messages of compassion and solidarity.
For nearly 60 years, Tzu Chi has journeyed from its roots in Taiwan to disaster-stricken communities globally, and brought together people of diverse cultures and faiths to make a difference. Guided by Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s principles of “listening, caring, and respect,” Tzu Chi volunteers demonstrate how Buddhist humanistic values can be transformed into concrete actions, offering genuine healing and hope to communities affected by crisis. NVOAD’s recognition of the Tzu Chi team marked a significant milestone for Buddhist humanitarianism within the global emergency response landscape.
