Jennifer Engelby, NASW-MO’s longtime Professional Development Coordinator, is being honored by the Council of Chapter Executives (COCE) with the Gilman-Wells Award. The Gilman-Wells Award was established in 1997 by NASW. It is named for two Chapter Executive Directors, Ethel Gilman of the Florida Chapter and Don Wells of the Indiana Chapter. Bothwere named Outstanding Chapter Executive Directors in the past and both had passed away while serving as chapter directors. This award honors a chapter staff person who excels in at least one specific area of chapter activity.

COCE annually invites nominations from all of NASW’s 55chapters then selects an individual to receive this award. The award is designed to recognize specific outstanding contributions in at least one area of chapter operations during the past year. The awards selection committee expressed how impressed they were by Jennifer’s work “strengthening chapter operations and services to members.” It was also noted and appreciated that Jennifer has shared her skills and experience “for 14 years with the Missouri Chapter.”

The 2023 Gilman-Wells Award will be presented during the Council of Chapter Executives annual meeting, held this year inLos Angeles the first week in December. Jennifer was nominated, not only by NASW-MO Executive Director, Cassie E. Brown, but by the Executive Directors of Kentucky and Indiana’s chapters, for whom Jennifer also facilitates professional development.

Missouri ED, Cassie E. Brown said, “I simply couldn’t be prouder of Jennifer being recognized by NASW for her contributions to the organization as a whole and to Missouri. We are so fortunate to have her as a part of NASW. She’s a gem.”