June 9, 2025—The North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations (NDANO) has named Rep. Emily O’Brien (District 42) as a recipient of the 2025 Legislative Champion Award for her critical investment in community violence and abuse prevention statewide.
This year’s honorees were selected for their exemplary leadership, collaboration and commitment to supporting North Dakota families, particularly in the area of domestic and sexual violence prevention and response.
Awardees were recognized at the North Dakota Nonprofit Leaders Conference in Fargo on June 4 and 5.
Employees of Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) nominated O’Brien for the award, which she shares with Sen. Kathy Hogan (District 21), who was also recognized for her nonprofit advocacy work, and who has been instrumental for many sessions in supporting domestic and sexual abuse intervention and prevention.
“Rep. O’Brien’s thoughtful approach, tenacity and genuine curiosity have made her a trusted partner for us at CVIC, the kind of contribution that doesn’t go unnoticed,” said CVIC President/CEO Coiya Tompkins Inman.”
Tompkins Inman added that O’Brien’s work is instrumental in helping families connect to vital safety services at CVIC, like therapy, supervised visitation, prevention and education, as well as transitional services such as housing, transportation and economic assistance.
Pictured from left to right: CVIC President/CEO Coiya Tompkins Inman, Rep. O’Brien, NDANO board member Patrick Kirby.
Pictured from left to right: CVIC President/CEO Coiya Tompkins Inman, Rep. O’Brien, CVIC CFO & NDANO Board Member Tracy LeDuc.
Pathbreaking leadership
Since joining the North Dakota House of Representatives in 2017, Rep. O’Brien has been a fierce advocate for issues that directly impact the lives of families across the state.
A self-employed mother of two, she brings a solution-oriented mindset to the legislature, particularly in the area of violence and abuse.
“Rep. O’Brien continues to help CVIC fill critical gaps that serve safety, healing and prevention efforts on behalf of more than 256,000 North Dakotans who will be impacted by domestic and sexual violence in their lifetimes,” Tompkins Inman said.
As a direct result of O’Brien’s leadership, CVIC has benefitted in the following ways:
- Funding for services more than quadrupled over the last two years. In the 2023 and 2025 legislative sessions, Rep. O’Brien played a pivotal role in securing nearly $12 million in funding for domestic and sexual violence services.
- Advocacy and education efforts reached nearly 50,000 people statewide. Her efforts directly supported 19 crisis intervention programs serving survivors at risk of lethality, as well as thousands of children and families seeking shelter, safety planning, counseling, supervised visitation and transitional services.
- Services expanded for more than 256,000 North Dakotans, to meet the estimated number of people projected to experience domestic or sexual violence in their lifetimes.
“It’s refreshing to see a lawmaker not only push for additional dollars but truly walk alongside North Dakota survivors and their families. Because she took the time to listen, show up and drive meaningful change, children and grandchildren across North Dakota will live safer, more enriching lives,” Tompkins Inman said.