When BPD Alliance presented the CARE Award to Jo Burkholder in May, it was more than recognition of years of volunteer service, it was a celebration of a remarkable personal transformation rooted in relationships, compassion, and a commitment to helping families impacted by borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Jo’s journey began long before she became a leader, mentor, and advocate within BPD Alliance. After a successful 35-year career spanning chemistry, information technology, contract management, and team leadership, she considered herself a problem solver. She excelled at fixing systems, improving processes, and finding solutions. Then she encountered a challenge she could not solve.

After years of hoping to become parents, Jo and her husband adopted a baby girl who quickly became the center of their world. As their daughter grew older, however, emotional struggles emerged that left Jo feeling powerless. The strategies that had served her so well throughout her career no longer seemed to work.

“I could fix anything at work,” Jo reflected. “But this was something I could not fix.”

Seeking support, she found her way to a National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) support group, where she was introduced to Marie-Paule de Valdivia and the Family Connections™ program. What began as a search for answers became a life-changing experience.

At first, many of the Family Connections skills felt foreign to Jo. Concepts like mindfulness, validation, and radical acceptance challenged the task-oriented mindset she had relied on for decades. Yet she stayed curious and continued showing up.

Over time, those skills transformed not only her relationship with her daughter but also her understanding of relationships in general.

“I began to value relationships,” Jo said. “They were really important to me where before they weren’t.”

That shift became the foundation of her work with BPD Alliance.

After completing Family Connections, Jo stepped into leadership, helping facilitate classes and support groups. She recognized that families across the country needed connection, understanding, and practical tools. Working alongside volunteers and fellow leaders, she helped expand virtual support opportunities long before online meetings became commonplace.

What started with a promise to recruit two Family Connections leaders eventually grew into a network of dozens of leaders serving families nationwide. Through NAMI support groups and BPD Alliance programs, Jo helped create spaces where families could share their experiences without fear of judgment and discover they were not alone.

One of her greatest strengths has been empowering others. Rather than focusing on personal recognition, Jo has dedicated herself to mentoring new leaders and helping them develop confidence.

“I want to be your safety net,” she often tells emerging leaders. “I’m also going to be the person who readjusts your crown before anyone even notices that it’s crooked.”

Her influence extends far beyond support groups. Jo has contributed to numerous BPD Alliance initiatives, including helping organize and manage large volunteer teams, supporting educational resources, categorizing extensive video libraries, and providing operational expertise whenever needed. Following her retirement, she chose to dedicate her professional skills to nonprofit organizations, with BPD Alliance remaining at the top of her list.

Yet when Jo reflects on her impact, she returns to relationships.

She believes the greatest gift Family Connections offers is helping people find a community that understands them. In every class and support group, she sees family members discover they are not alone. Heads nod around the room as stories are shared, and people realize they have finally found others who understand their experience.

Perhaps most meaningful is the change she has seen in her own family. Through practicing the skills she learned, Jo rebuilt and strengthened her relationship with her daughter. The progress they have made together serves as a powerful reminder that hope and healing are possible.

“Relationships are messy,” Jo says. “But going through life with somebody else is way better than going through it alone.”

That belief captures the spirit of the CARE Award and the legacy Jo continues to build. Through compassion, authenticity, relationship-building, and empowerment, she has helped countless families find hope, connection, and a path forward.

For BPD Alliance, Jo Burkholder’s story is a testament to what can happen when one person chooses to learn, grow, and then help others do the same.