2025 Mission Awards
2025 Mission Award Winners
The Baby Fold
Bloomington, IL
The Baby Fold has been a transformative force in Central Illinois for over 120 years, empowering vulnerable children and families through innovative, trauma-informed programs and services. Rooted in a mission to build brighter futures while reflecting the Christian principles of love, hope, and healing, the organization exemplifies inspirational leadership, innovation, commitment, and community.
The Baby Fold exemplifies visionary leadership and a steadfast commitment to excellence. It has continuously enhancing its programs through data analysis and innovation. Serving over 1,200 children and families annually, The Baby Fold addresses complex challenges with evidence-based insights, ensuring transformative outcomes. Their holistic approach, which includes vital pastoral care and community engagement, empowers families to thrive. By rallying supporters and partnering with various organizations, The Baby Fold amplifies its mission, leaving a lasting impact on the region and transforming lives.
The Baby Fold‘s diverse programs, including Foster Care, Hammitt Schools, Healthy Start, Community Schools, Caregiver Connections, and Adoption Support, have demonstrated significant success in supporting vulnerable populations. With impressive statistics such as 83% of high school students applying social-emotional skills post-discharge and 97% of families remaining intact through the Adoption Support program, The Baby Fold exemplifies commitment to child development and family stability.
David Glenn
Senior Vice President of People and Culture
United Methodist Communities
David Glenn has been impacting human resources for more than 40 years and specifically for the last decade at UMC. He gives his all to the people and organizations that he cares most about – his family, UMC, Methodist Ministries Network and its EAGLE Accreditation Program.
At UMC, he’s been an unyielding advocate for its employees or teammates. He successfully built strong collaborations and supportive work cultures throughout the workforce. Under his leadership, UMC has significantly reduced overtime and lowered its turnover rate. UMC is proud to have been recognized as a “Great Place to Work” in Aging Services for eight consecutive years
David is also an enthusiastic ambassador – some may even say evangelist – for both Methodist Ministries Network and the EAGLE Accreditation Program. He has promoted the association and EAGLE among members and business partners. He has shared his expertise at conferences and as an active member of the Human Resources Peer Network.
Over the past six years, he has been a proud, dedicated EAGLE Commissioner. He served on EAGLE’s Thrive Steering Committee and led a task force to strengthen and improve EAGLE Principle 6: Workforce Management. As an EAGLE peer reviewer, David has reviewed numerou senior living and children, youth and family ministries. In life and work, he is grounded in his faith and committed to elevating nonprofit, faith-based missions across the country.
Susan Sharp
Vice President of Mission Advancement
Simpson
Susan dedicated her career to fundraising and worked tirelessly to secure meaningful gifts for donors of mission-driven organizations. She gravitated toward work with religious and community fund development, serving at Clemson Community Foundation, United Methodist Communities, and most recently as Vice President of Mission Advancement for Simpson Senior Living in Pennsylvania. Throughout her career, she held a deep conviction that people of all ages and all walks of life deserve equal opportunities to access and receive quality care .
Susan also generously dedicated her time to serve the EAGLE Accreditation Program as a commissioner and peer reviewer. Susan built strong relationships with volunteers and organizations, earning tremendous respect for her authenticity and accountability. Even in her final days, she remained committed to her work, inspiring others with her faith and grace.
We lost Susan far too early. She passed away in December 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer. In her career, she gave so much of herself. She also demonstrated that same energy, dedication and passion in her personal life -- as a friend, wife, mother and grandmother. Susan leaves a lasting legacy of impact that will live on for generations to come.
