From farm life to a life of service: Katrina Dolan, 2026 George Gibbs Award winner

Meet Katrina Dolan.

Katrina works for both Concerned Veterans for America and Americans for Prosperity in Pennsylvania as a grassroots engagement director.

Through her years working with AFP and CVA, she’s built crucial relationships, worked with over 100 veterans’ networks, and seen major wins ― even spearheading CVA’s chapter launch in the state.

At AFP’s annual all-staff gathering, activists and staff from across the country came together. People who spend their time knocking on doors, meeting with neighbors, and building relationships in their communities had the chance to meet in person and grow professionally.

Each year at our all-staff gathering, our organization presents the George Gibbs Award for Outstanding Engagement Director to recognize a grassroots activist who has demonstrated exceptional work in their state. Named after the late George Gibbs, a longtime AFP partner, the coveted award honors leaders who exemplify excellence in grassroots engagement.

Katrina was one of several nominees and ultimately won.

Where Katrina found her work ethic

Katrina grew up in rural Pennsylvania on her family’s fourth-generation farm. Work was constant, and expectations were simple: If something needed to be done, you did it.

(Katrina’s father, Daniel, standing next to her grandfather, Don)

Her dad started his own business at 15, and that same entrepreneurial mindset carried over at home. There weren’t many breaks or holidays, just the understanding that keeping things going required effort every day.

On the farm, Katrina grew up around her grandfathers. They set the example.

Both were Korean War veterans who came back to make their communities better, examples of service and sacrifice.

This year, one of her grandfathers, Donald Dolan, was recognized in Mifflintown with a Quilt of Valor Award, presented by the Quilts of Valor Foundation and the Juniata County Veterans Council.

He received a handcrafted quilt in recognition of his service and sacrifice, a reminder of the standard that generation set.

Katrina followed their example. She went to Texas to work for the Department of Defense as a civilian, then returned to Pennsylvania, where she opened a restaurant to serve the community and be closer to family.

Covid changed all of that.

Like many small business owners, the government forced her to close. It changed how she saw the role of policy and how decisions made far from her community could directly affect people trying to build something locally.

That experience pushed her to get involved.

Finding purpose in service

In 2022, Katrina found that AFP was advocating for small businesses. What started as volunteering quickly turned into a larger role.

She became a grassroots coordinator in 2023, knocking doors during the presidential primary, and then stepped into the role of grassroots engagement director in 2024.

You can witness some of her work and events through the pictures below.

In 2025, she stepped up to open the CVA office in Pennsylvania, expanding the organization’s reach and strengthening its connection to local veterans.

That work is where much of her focus is today.

Veterans and military families understand service firsthand. Katrina has seen how some veterans, especially older ones, can feel isolated or overlooked, and she makes a point to stay connected and make sure they know someone is listening.

She has also helped turn her local relationships into wins.

Her congressman, U.S. Rep. John Joyce, became a primary cosponsor of the Veterans’ ACCESS Act after hearing directly from Katrina about the challenges veterans in her community were facing.

It’s steady work that builds over time, rooted in relationships and a commitment to showing up consistently.

Katrina is also a mother of two, Daniel and Tucker, and she often thinks about what their future will look like. Costs are higher, small businesses have closed, and family farms ― like hers ― are harder to keep going.

(From left to right: Katrina’s son Tucker, grandmother Betty, son Daniel, and grandfather Don)

“The American Dream looks different now,” she says.

She hasn’t stepped back.

She’s still showing up, amplifying veteran voices, and advocating for pro-prosperity policies and good government, one step at a time. That mindset reflects something bigger ― real progress often starts with people willing to take that next step, even when it’s small.

The George Gibbs Award recognizes Katrina Dolan’s work as she takes One Small Step to Lead America Forward.

👉 Learn more about how you can take One Small Step each month as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.