Heartbeat International recognized four individuals who exemplify service and leadership in the pregnancy help movement at its Annual Conference this week.
The 54th Annual Pregnancy Help Conference was held in Birmingham, Ala., with the theme of Together Towards Tomorrow. Heartbeat is the largest network of pregnancy help organizations in the U.S. and globally.
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The Peggy Hartshorn Servant Leader Award recognizes people who have given of themselves sacrificially in the service of life, both as servants of others and as leaders themselves. The award’s namesake is Peggy Hartshorn, longtime board chair and former president of Heartbeat International. Heartbeat began awarding the honor in 1996 and more than 100 people have been recognized.
The 2025 Peggy Hartshorn Servant Leader Award honorees were Herbie Newell, Svetlana Jovanova, Gloria Leyda, and Tammy Kocher.
Newell is president and executive director of Lifeline Children’s Services, where he leads its adoption, foster care, and orphan care ministries. Lifeline is the largest Evangelical Christian adoption agency in the U.S. and has international partnerships.
Jovanova is founder and CEO of Lydia – A Beating Heart, the first pro-life pregnancy center in Macedonia, and the Leader of the Balkan Network for Life.
Leyda is Senior Vice President of Ambassador Speakers, which represents Christian speakers addressing social, spiritual, and anthropological issues.
Kocher executive director of New Life Family Services, a pregnancy help clinic with multiple locations providing pregnancy, parenting, and post-abortion services, along with licensed adoption services. Headquartered in Richfield, Minn., New Life Family Services is one of the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive pregnancy centers in the country.
Heartbeat International Director of Affiliate Services Kathy Jerman, who was executive director of New Hope Family Services in Syracuse, New York, before coming to Heartbeat, and is still president of the New York State Coalition for Life, said that although she hasn’t yet had the opportunity to know Kocher personally, she has admired her from afar while serving as a fellow executive director in the pregnancy help movement.
“Her humility, wisdom, and passion were evident even through a webinar she taught—qualities that clearly define her leadership,” Jerman said. “Tammy not only leads her team with strength and grace but also works tirelessly to build unity and support among centers across Minnesota.”
“I’m thrilled to see her honored with this award,” said Jerman, “as she truly embodies the heart of a servant and a deep commitment to life-affirming excellence.”
Jerman said she was thrilled when she found out that Heartbeat International was presenting the Peggy Hartshorn Servant Leader Award to Herbie Newell.
“He is so deserving of this esteemed award, as we recognize him for his extraordinary leadership and lifelong commitment to advancing the cause of adoption,” she said. “I have always admired him for his integrity, unwavering faith, and his passion for championing healthy, modern, and open adoption practices that reflect the heart of the Gospel and honor the dignity of every child, birth parent, and adoptive family.”
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Ellen Foell, international program specialist for Heartbeat International, works with Heartbeat’s international affiliates, and remarked about Jovanova’s growth in leadership and service, and her venturesome spirit.
“It has been my pleasure to know and co-labor with Svetlana for many years,” Foell said. “In that time, I have watched her develop as a leader, as a Jesus follower, and as a servant.”
“God has truly expanded her vision, not just for her center, but for her nation and the entire Balkan region,” said Foell. “Further, she has a terrific spirit of adventure and fun. I know this from personal experience as we traveled through the Balkans over three weeks to bring the life-saving and life-giving message of life to the Balkans. Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Heartbeat International Vice President of Communications and Marketing Andrea Trudden noted Leyda’s lengthy tenure in the pregnancy help movement and her impact on the development efforts of its members.
“Gloria has been a part of this movement for decades,” Trudden said, “pouring her heart into serving pregnancy centers.”
“Through her work at Ambassador Speakers, she has raised millions of dollars for pregnancy help organizations nationwide by connecting the right speaker to the right audience,” said Trudden. “Her smile brightens the room and her passion for this movement is very clear from the moment you meet her.”
Heartbeat International’s Annual Pregnancy Help Conference ran from April 30-May 2.
Editor's note: Heartbeat International manages Pregnancy Help News.
