The Rotary Club of Wilsonville has announced five finalists for the 2025 Wilsonville First Citizen award. They are Brad Christiansen, John Hillan-Payne, Jennie Hill, Scott Nichols and Rick Wallace.
The finalists were nominated by community members and narrowed down by a committee of community members, Rotarians and past First Citizen winners. The winner of the 2025 First Citizen award will be announced at the conclusion of the 2026 Heart of Gold Gala and Auction, to be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Oregon Golf Club. This year’s theme is “The Sweet Life of Service.” Tickets are available at WilsonvilleHeart.com.
“It’s a tremendous honor to recognize these five outstanding community volunteers, because people like these are the glue of the community and they echo what Rotary stands for,” club president Josh Dalglish said. “We received numerous very strong nominations from all corners of the community. Narrowing them down to these five was exceedingly difficult. All of these finalists have contributed greatly to the livability of Wilsonville, in selfless and significant ways.”
The Rotary Club of Wilsonville has held the Heart of Gold Gala and Auction annually since 2002. Since then, 30 people have been recognized, either individually or as part of a couple. Any adult individual or couple that lives, works or volunteers in Wilsonville is eligible. The most recent winner was 2024 Wilsonville First Citizen Lyn Whelchel.
Here is more information about this year’s five finalists:
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Brad Christiansen is a Stafford resident who has served as a Wilsonville volunteer in many capacities including with Wilsonville Touchdown Club, Stafford Farm School, Young Life Ministries, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He served as a youth football coach from 2016 through 2024 and fundraiser supporter for youth softball and basketball. He helped champion the fundraising effort for, and installation of, a new Jumbotron at the Randall Stadium, a weight room remodel, and upcoming replacement of the field turf. He’s working on an upgrade of the stadium press box and other facilities as well. In pursuit of these projects he attends school board, city council and other meetings to inform major stakeholders of these conditions and ways to be involved. His favorite annual activity that he and a few parents started in the summer of 2022, is the annual campus landscape party and cleanup in August. It has grown to include a BBQ feast for all those hands/feet that get into the dirt and freshen up the Wilsonville High School campus. “‘I am grateful to be considered for Wilsonville First Citizen,” he said. “It is very unexpected and I am surrounded by an amazing community of volunteers. Humbled!’
John Hillan-Payne lives and works as a teacher in Wilsonville. Over the past 13 years, he has served on the board of West Linn-Wilsonville Music and Arts Partners, as president, secretary, and scholarship chair; he assists with their annual Dollars for the Arts fundraiser for Wilsonville schools. At Lowrie Primary School he organizes an annual talent and art show. John is the director of Wilsonville Choral Arts Society, and has co-managed the Fifth Grade OMEA All-State Choir for the past 10 years. He and his spouse have served as foster parents for six children over the last seven years. He was named the Oregon Music Educator of the Year in 2016 by the Oregon Music Education Association (OMEA). “ I am incredibly honored and humbled to be a finalist for the Wilsonville Rotary’s First Citizen award,” he said. “My work in developing and supporting the arts in Wilsonville is a passion that has led to meeting amazing people and having experiences that I hope have enriched others’ lives as well as mine.”
Jennie Hill is a Wilsonville resident and the Owner & Broker of J. Hill Property Group, recognized for her passion for creating community through business and relationships. She organizes the annual Villebois Turkey Trot 5K each Thanksgiving, bringing neighbors and families together in a shared tradition of gratitude and fun. Jennie also facilitates the annual Villebois 4th of July neighborhood parade and celebration, Halloween kick-off photo booth, and a warm clothing drive every December to benefit Heart of the City. She also hosts a monthly Bunco night in Charbonneau to foster connection among residents, is the key sponsor of the Sole Sisters running group and race day event, and contributed to helping reestablish the Wilsonville Brew Fest. At the heart of her involvement is a simple focus: creating opportunities for people to connect, feel welcomed, have fun, and to be proud of the community they call home. “Being selected as a finalist is incredibly special to me,” Hill said. “I love being able to contribute to the Wilsonville community through my work, and I’m deeply grateful to Rotary for recognizing the heart behind that effort.”
Scott Nichols is a Wilsonville resident and owner of Nichols Family Agency, a local insurance agency. He is a board member and past president of the Rose Haven Women and Children’s Day Shelter in Portland. He has coached youth football and basketball, served on the board of the Wilsonville Touchdown Club, and served as a board member and president for the Wilsonville Basketball Association. He sponsors numerous local events, including the Wilsonville Rotary Summer Concerts, the city Community Tree Lighting, the city Easter Egg Hunt, and the Harvest Festival. He conducts the annual Lead with Kindness toy drive as well. “I am honored to be included with such a fantastic group of community volunteers as a finalist for the Wilsonville Rotary First Citizen Award,” Nichols said.
Rick Wallace is a Wilsonville resident and operator of the local UPS Store in Wilsonville. He graduated from Wilsonville High School and earned recognition as an Eagle Scout. He is the founder and organizer of Wilsonville Pride, which is dedicated to fostering connection, support and visibility within the LGBTQIA community. He serves on the Wilsonville Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Community. He has adopted two local roads and organized regular cleanups. He also sponsors youth athletics, including local football, equestrian, cheerleading, snowboarding, and basketball, and sponsors the Wilsonville Mental Health Fair as well. “I’ve grown up seeing the Rotary honor folks with the First Citizen award and I never thought I might be considered for it, so I’m very honored,” he said. “I might need to adopt another road or two to convince myself I’m worthy of such an honor!”
Proceeds from each year’s Heart of Gold event are funneled through the Wilsonville Rotary Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, to support the various public service projects and programs of the Rotary Club of Wilsonville.
“We invite everyone in the Wilsonville community to help us celebrate the spirit of community, and the service of these five outstanding volunteers,” Dalglish said. “Buildings and homes make this a city, but volunteers make this a community worth working and living in. We hope you will support us, and help us celebrate The Sweet Life of Service together.”
About Rotary
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.4 million members of more than 46,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit Rotary.org.
About the Rotary Club of Wilsonville
The Rotary Club of Wilsonville was founded in 1975 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025. The club carries out several signature service projects throughout the year, including the innovative Through A Child’s Eyes program at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, the annual Wilsonville Rotary Summer Concerts, the signature Good Eggs omelet and pancake breakfasts throughout the year, the Wilsonville First Citizen awards program, a college scholarship program, an international Rotary Youth Exchange program, and many others. The club meets weekly, Thursdays at 11:45 a.m. at Black Bear Diner, and has 45 members. For more information, visit WilsonvilleRotary.com .