2026 Tim Strachan Young Leaders Award
The Tim Strachan Young Leaders Award honors outstanding young individuals who exemplify the spirit of faith in action through compassionate leadership, dedicated community service, and a commitment to uplifting others. This annual award celebrates young people in our community who selflessly give back, support the most vulnerable, and inspire others through acts of service rooted in Catholic values. With a special focus on educational outreach, mentoring, and advocacy, recipients of this award demonstrate how young leaders can be a powerful force for good in society.
The award is named for Tim Strachan. A native of Montgomery County, MD, a product of catholic education and a man of strong faith, Tim passed away earlier this year at the age of 49. A lifelong parishioner of Holy Redeemer in Kensington, MD, Tim was a community leader throughout his life (starting as a young man) and has been recognized by many organizations in our area. He leaned on his faith during his life and especially in the face of the tragic accident he suffered between his junior and senior year of high school that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Among many other things, Tim was a motivational speaker for young people in our community talking about faith, family, perseverance, resilience, and never asking why. He was a true inspiration and remains a role model for so many throughout the area.
Maggie Koch
Maggie Koch, a graduate of Mary of Nazareth in Darnestown and Holy Child Class of 2018 is a powerful witness of faith, perseverance, positivity, and service in our community. She exemplifies the characteristics of faith in action, compassionate leadership, dedication to community service, and a commitment to uplifting others.
Maggie demonstrates her commitment to service to the most vulnerable, rooted in Catholic values. She attended St. Joseph’s University, where alongside her studies she was actively involved in leadership in campus ministry and service. She participated annually in service immersion trips. Notably, her encounter with migrants in Mexico who were making their journey to the United States, hearing their stories, and learning about the themes of human dignity, immigration, and social justice on one of these Jesuit immersion programs shaped choices that she continues to make after her college graduation.
She graduated from St. Joseph’s University with her bachelor’s degree in leadership, Ethics, and Organizational Sustainability in 2022. After graduation, Maggie applied for and participated in a Year of Service in Ecuador with Rostro de Cristo. This program encourages its members to live simply, in solidarity with those experiencing poverty, and to build deep and meaningful relationships with those they serve. Rostro de Cristo’s mission is to “inspire a life-long commitment to faith, service, and justice by providing transformative, intercultural experiences of living the Gospel of Christ with those on the margins”. Her assignment there was to support women and children who were victims of domestic violence.
Upon return from Ecuador, Maggie began a fellowship with the Alliance for Catholic Education at Saint Joseph's University. She spent two years working as a Campus Minister at St. Joe’s and a Youth Development Associate at Guadalupe Family Services where she taught in a school and mentored high school students. Concurrently, she completed a Master’s program in Organizational Development and Leadership, graduating in May 2025.
In this past year since her graduation, Maggie moved to Chicago and works as Program Director at the Brother David Darst Center for Justice and Peace, Spirituality and Education. This organization provides social justice retreats, service immersion opportunities, and connects young people with community organizations in Chicago for service experiences.
Maggie’s commitment to service to others is rooted in Catholic values and her deep personal faith. As a young woman with great potential, she leads generously and uses her gifts to serve God and others.
Past Award Winners
2025: Katie Myers
