Nina Hallmark is the Executive Director of Friends For Hope.  Nina was one of the founders of the grassroots organization.  She is dedicated to the mission of Friends For Hope.  As a survivor herself, she realizes the importance of early intervention and support.  She was recognized by Woman's Day in 2001 as one of the first "Shining Star" recipients for her volunteer efforts in the organization.  She was featured in the magazine in the first annual article on the Shining Star Awards.  Friends For Hope received a $500 honorarium in her name.

Nina was born and raised in Big Lake, married and raised her family here.  She has owned and operated many businesses here and loves her hometown.  When she got involved with Friends For Hope, she felt she really found her niche in life.  She has always enjoyed helping others, and her home has welcomed many kids over the years that needed a safe and nurturing environment.  In addition to her four sons, she has many other kids that will always be part of her extended family.  Working with Friends For Hope has given her an opportunity to do something very worthwhile for her community.  Her extensive training in domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse has been utilized by providing services with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Nina has been involved in the Students Taking Action for Respect program since the beginning of the program.  She was named STAR Leader of the Year in 2005 after the Big Lake STAR program received STAR Team of the Year in 2003.  Friends For Hope received Innovative Program of the Year in 2004 from the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault for the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program that Nina implemented, along with other programs.  In 1999, Friends For Hope was named Non-Profit Organization of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce and also received the Community Builder Award given by the Masonic Lodge the same year.  Nina is never content to sit idle, always striving to expand and better the organization with new and challenging programs to serve the people in Reagan County.  One dream she hopes to see happen in the future is to have a shelter here in Big Lake to provide a safe environment for clients in need.