The Relentless Award
The Relentless Award recognizes a deserving member of the Western New York community that is making a difference and bringing light into a dark world. The recipient of this award is someone who has persevered against the odds, overcome obstacles with a positive outlook and helped to inspire many in our community. To be relentless means that through hard work, determination and positivity, you can take on any battle and support any cause.
This year, the Relentless Award deepens its focus by recognizing the essential link between leadership and mental health. True leadership is not defined solely by achievement, but by empathy, compassion, and the courage to prioritize well-being—for oneself and for others.
The Relentless Award honors leaders who create environments where people feel safe, seen, and supported. These are relentless individuals who lead with heart, reduce stigma, and model vulnerability and emotional intelligence.
It is my honor to present the 2025 Relentless Award to Nicole Shields. As Director of Peer Support at Mental Health Advocates of WNY, Nicole has transformed youth peer services across Western New York—expanding a small program into a region-wide network that supports young people in schools, homes, and communities, including rural and under served areas.
She led the launch of the region’s first youth-focused Trusted Chat Line, secured a highly competitive NYS Office of Mental Health Peer Workforce Grant, and mentored the next generation of youth peer advocates. Grounded in her own recovery journey, Nicole leads with authenticity, resilience, and lived experience.
Nicole’s relentless commitment to youth mental health, recovery, and peer empowerment makes her a truly deserving recipient of the 2025 Relentless Award.
The Relentless Award was created in 2024 as a way for the Revelas Family Foundation to recognize those that are making an impact in our community and inspiring others, and in 2024 our inaugural recipient of this award was Tom Zugger.
Tom Zugger was a respected member of the business community for decades. He was a fixture with Hamburg High School Varsity soccer, where he preached that the “culture of the team is more important than the talent.” Bill Lawley who has known Tom his entire life said “He was a dear friend who will always be there to help and support you regardless of the circumstance, and is emulated by many for his will and conviction.” Tom Zugger was a lifelong mentor of Nick Revelas, and taught our entire family that with hard work, determination, and a positive attitude, anything is possible that you put your mind too. Tom Zugger lost his battle to cancer on May 13th, 2025, and his impact on our family and the community will be felt by us forever.
The Relentless Award recognizes a deserving member of the Western New York community that is making a difference and bringing light into a dark world. The recipient of this award is someone who has persevered against the odds, overcome obstacles with a positive outlook and helped to inspire many in our community. To be relentless means that through hard work, determination and positivity, you can take on any battle and support any cause. Nominations will remain open until Monday December 1st.
