Michelle Anderson was awarded the 2026 Kathryn J.R. Swanson Public Service Award in recognition of more than three decades of sustained, meaningful service to roadway safety through her leadership at the National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF).
Michelle Anderson was selected for this award in recognition of more than three decades of sustained, meaningful service to roadway safety through her leadership at the National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF). Her work reflects an uncommon level of commitment to saving lives, not only through financial support and organizational partnerships, but through hands-on collaboration, strategic thinking and personal investment in programs that influence driver behavior and strengthen traffic safety education nationwide.
She has distinguished herself as a trusted partner to GHSA, State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) and national safety organizations by helping turn shared priorities into practical, high-impact initiatives. Under her leadership, NRSF has supported major GHSA efforts addressing drowsy driving, speeding, vulnerable road users and teen driver safety, including awarding more than $750,000 in unrestricted grants to SHSOs since 2017. Her support has helped produce national reports, fund innovative state projects and pilot approaches – such as an impactful rural speed management project in Maryland – that generated measurable safety results and useful tools for other states.
Michelle’s selection also reflects her exceptional ability to build coalitions and elevate youth as active leaders in roadway safety. Through programs such as Drive2Life, Drive Safe Chicago, National Passenger Safety Week, the 100 Safest Days of Summer campaign, the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America’s (FCCLA) Safe Rides Save Lives PSA contest, as well as partnerships with organizations including Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Teens in the Driver’s Seat, Impact Teen Drivers, the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) and the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA), she has created platforms for young people, educators, law enforcement and advocates to carry lifesaving messages to their communities.
What sets Michelle apart is the way she leads: quietly, generously and collaboratively, always focused on advancing the work of others and expanding the reach of proven safety messages. She brings people together, welcomes innovative ideas and consistently asks how NRSF can help. For her long-standing dedication, her measurable contributions to GHSA and the SHSO community, and her unwavering focus on helping every road user get home safely, Michelle Anderson is a highly deserving awardee of the Kathryn J.R. Swanson Public Service Award.