2023 Recipient
Holly Kostrzewski
Holly Kostrzewski joined the TZD effort 20 years ago, representing the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa as the first tribal partner in a TZD Safe Roads coalition. As the first Northeast/Northwest Minnesota TZD regional coordinator, Holly was a true champion of traffic safety in all aspects during her tenure. Her work on the local level resulted in unparalleled and lifesaving changes in driving behavior across the region and state. For example, when Holly first began work as regional coordinator, the seat belt compliance rate in the Northwest TZD region was 68.5 percent. As a result of her positive attitude, drive, leadership, and a great team, the rate climbed to a remarkable 87 percent; when she left, it was over 90 percent. Holly also built and fostered strong partnerships with the tribal nations of Minnesota. Nearly every county she worked with established a Safe Roads coalition—including a first-in-the-nation youth TZD conference that she fostered. In 2022, Holly began her tenure as a highway safety specialist for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Past Recipients
2022
- Kristi Sebastian
2021
- Colonel Matt Langer
2020
- Howard Preston
2019
- Lieutenant Don Marose, Minnesota State Patrol
- Joel Watne
2018
- Mark Peterson, AAA
2017
- Judge James Dehn
2016
- Sue Porter, Minnesota Department of Transportation
2015
- Nancy Johnson, Minnesotans for Safe Driving
2014
- Max Donath, Director, Roadway Safety Institute, and Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota
2013
- Nelrae Succio, Minnesota Department of Transportation
- Jean Ryan, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
2012
- Major Mike Asleson, Minnesota State Patrol
2011
- Bob O'Brien, Department of Public Safety
- Brad Kollman, Department of Public Safety
2010
- Sharon Gehrman-Driscoll, Minnesotans for Safe Driving
2009
- Anne Beers, Minnesota State Patrol (retired)
- Carol Bufton, Minnesota Safety Council
2008
- Bernie Arseneau, MnDOT