Life

Safelight director among AG's eight Dogwood Award honorees from WNC

Lauren Wilkie

By Lightning Reports, Published: February 16, 2026

Attorney General Jeff Jackson recognized eight North Carolinians in Western North Carolina with the Attorney General’s Dogwood Award on Friday including Safelight director Lauren Wilkie.

The Dogwood Award recognizes people who are improving their fellow North Carolinians’ health, safety, and well-being. Recipients were: 

Lauren Wilkie: “For many survivors of domestic violence, the road to recovery can be a lonely one,” Jackson said. “Through the work she and the team at Safelight does to help survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault, Lauren Wilkie has made sure these people are not alone as they recover from major trauma.” Wilkie is the chief executive officer of Safelight, which helps survivors of crime in Henderson County.  

Rep. Dudley Greene: “Representative Dudley Greene is a former sheriff and a true defender of public safety,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “Today, we recognize him for his assistance with combatting robocalls and the scams that follow, as well as his tireless work towards Helene recovery.” Dudley Greene represents District 85 in the North Carolina General Assembly, which covers Avery, McDowell, Mitchell, and Yancey counties. 

Dr. Travis Williams: “The addiction crisis is one of the biggest challenges that North Carolinians face,”said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “Dr. Williams has worked tirelessly to provide care for those who are struggling with substance use disorders in rural parts of western North Carolina. His work is helping address the factors that drive addiction, not just the disease.”  Williams assisted in establishing the Clay Comprehensive Addictions Program (CCAP) which provides integrative care for those struggling with substance use disorders. 

Stacie Ledford: “For those in recovery, being surrounded by compassionate and understanding people is a gamechanger,”  Jackson said. “Stacie’s work as president of Rock Bottom Recovery exemplifies these traits, making her an incredible asset to the addiction recovery effort in western North Carolina.” Ledford has served as president of Rock Bottom Recovery and Support since 2017. 

Sgt. Leslie Meade: “Thanks to Sergeant Meade, the Forest City Police Department has adopted a life-saving approach to responding to domestic violence incidents,” Jackson said. “Her leadership means that law enforcement can intervene to help people when they are in the most danger.” The Forest City Police Department adopted the Lethality Assessment Program in 2025. The NCDOJ program is an evidence-based protocol that helps law enforcement identify the most dangerous domestic violence situations and then connects victims with critical safety tools. 

Chief Mike Lamb: “Chief Lamb oversaw the Asheville Police Department’s work to drive down violent crime by more than a quarter and recover from Helene,” Jackson said. “His community is safer and stronger thanks to his leadership, and I’m grateful for his service and his friendship.” Lamb joined the Asheville Police Department in 1998 and served as chief from 2023 through his retirement in November 2025. 

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity: “Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity has been absolutely vital to the western North Carolina recovery effort following Helene,” Jackson said. “In 2025, they completed 116 disaster home repair jobs, served 216 families, and moved 30 children into stable homes. I was proud to fight for AmeriCorps funding that supported the Habitat team was honored to see their work up close last fall. Our state is a better place because of their tireless commitment to helping folks have a safe place to live.” The Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity runs homeownership and home repair programs in Buncombe and Madison counties. 

Clay County Sheriff Mark Buchanan: “Sheriff Buchanan has served western North Carolina in many different capacities during his time with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the SBI and most recently the Clay County Sheriff’s Office,” Jackson said. “After retiring from the SBI in 2011, he continued service as a volunteer sworn Deputy with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, where we are now fortunate to have him serving as sheriff.” Throughout his career, Sheriff Buchanan has served as a patrol deputy, supervised a variety of personnel and investigated crimes including public/police wrongdoing, drug cases, financial crimes, homicides.