By Jill Parker Landsman
The National Court Reporters Foundation (NCRF) is proud to announce the winners of its 2025 New Professionals Grants — an initiative that spotlights rising talent in the court reporting and captioning professions. These annual awards recognize exceptional new professionals in court reporting and captioning who demonstrate dedication, skill, and promise in their early careers.
“This year’s applicant pool was truly outstanding,” said NCRF Chair Doug Friend, FAPR, RDR, CRR (Ret.). “Each candidate brought strong qualifications to the table, making the judges’ decisions more challenging than ever. In the end, four exceptional individuals rose to the top. It’s a joy to reward their hard work and passion for this profession. We especially thank our NCRF donors who make these awards possible.”
Now in its second year of expanding both the number of awards and the amounts given, the 2025 NCRF Grant program awarded $4,000 each to two first-place recipients and $2,000 each to two second-place recipients.
First-place winners
• Delainey Dutch, RPR – Fayetteville, N.C.
• Iris Thaller, RPR – Mattoon, Ill.
Second-place winners
• Tiffany del Fierro – Nyack, N.Y.
• Brittany Jones – Oxford, Pa.
Each recipient expressed heartfelt excitement and gratitude upon learning of their award — proof that the future of this profession is in capable hands.
First-place winner Delainey Dutch, RPR, shared her appreciation for the financial and emotional support the grant provides. “I deeply appreciate being selected as this year’s recipient of the New Professionals Grant,” she said. “This will have a great impact on my family and helps immensely to offset all those startup costs that we all incur as we get our business going. Words cannot begin to express my gratitude for receiving this grant. So, to all those who have donated to NCRF and were a part of organizing this grant, thank you so very much.”
Fellow first-place winner Iris Thaller, RPR, reflected on how the recognition will propel her forward. “I’m deeply honored to be selected as the first-place recipient of the 2025 NCRF New Professionals Grant,” she said. “I want to sincerely thank the National Court Reporters Foundation for this generous award. This motivates me even more as I begin my career, and I’m excited to grow and contribute to such an important and dynamic profession. I’m incredibly grateful for the support and excited to continue growing in this amazing career.”
Second-place recipient Tiffany del Fierro sees the award as a meaningful milestone. “Thank you to the National Court Reporters Foundation for selecting me as a second-place recipient of the 2025 NCRF New Professionals Grant!” she said. “I am grateful, honored, and excited to put my best foot forward, with your support.”
Also honored with second place, Brittany Jones expressed her appreciation. “There are not enough words to express my sincerest thanks to NCRF for selecting me as one of the second-place recipients of the New Professionals Grant,” she said.
These recipients exemplify the promise, passion, and perseverance that define the future of the profession. With the continued support of NCRF and its generous donors, the Foundation remains committed to helping new professionals build strong careers that serve justice, accessibility, and communication.
For more information about the New Professionals Grant and other award opportunities for students and professionals, visit the scholarships and grants web page or contact Jill Parker Landsman at jlandsman@ncra.org.
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