Press Release: Virginia Hart Special Recognition and Diversity Award Winners Announced

STATE OF WISCONSIN

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Tony Evers, Governor

Kathy Blumenfeld, Secretary

Press Release: Virginia Hart Special Recognition and Diversity Award Winners Announced

Madison, Wis. - The Department of Administration, Division of Personnel Management, Virginia Hart Award Committee, and the Wisconsin State Council on Affirmative Action are pleased to announce the winners of the Virginia Hart Special Recognition Award and the State Council on Affirmative Action Diversity Awards. The awards will be presented on December 6 at 9:00 a.m. in the State Assembly Chambers. 

The Virginia Hart Special Recognition Award Committee is delighted to announce that Trisha Jo Kilpin, from the Department of Justice, was selected as the 2024 Virginia Hart Special Recognition Award winner. The annual award is given in honor of Virginia Hart, Wisconsin's first female cabinet member. Janet Kazmierczak, from the Department of Health Services, will receive an honorable mention.

“I’m incredibly proud of our efforts to recruit, support, and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce. These folks are some of our heroes in state government who’ve made critical contributions to our efforts toward building a Wisconsin that works for everyone and a state workforce that reflects the people we serve every day,” said Gov. Evers. “I’m honored to be able to recognize and congratulate these outstanding individuals for their good work making Wisconsin state government a safer, more connected, and more inclusive employer and workplace.”

The December 6 ceremony also celebrates the 25th anniversary of the State Council on Affirmative Action’s annual Diversity Awards, which recognize state agencies, universities, and employees for their efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the workforce.

The Department of Public Instruction will receive the 2024 Diversity Award for its 2024 – 2026 Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan.

Gale Johnson, from the Department of Health Services, is the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Leadership Award for the work she has done over the last 30 years to advance health equity in Wisconsin. She has provided essential cancer screening services to over 84,000 underinsured women statewide.

Gina Pruski, from the Wisconsin Public Defenders Office, will be honored with the 2024 Lifetime of Service Award for dedicating her over 30-year career to implementing training programs that promote cultural competency in the workplace.

“Building a state government that is an employer of choice, with a welcoming and inclusive environment for all does not happen overnight, it requires the dedication and commitment from public servants every day,” said DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld. “We’re honored to recognize the state employees who go above and beyond in serving the public as well as their colleagues across the state, and in making a tangible impact for all.”   

The awards ceremony will be held at the Wisconsin State Capitol Assembly Chambers on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 9:00 am. The event is currently open to the public but subject to attendance restrictions due to space availability. It will also be livestreamed on YouTube. Governor Tony Evers will give remarks, alongside DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld, with special guest speakers Javier Acevado-Baez, Chief Development Officer and Managing Director of Operations, Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce, and Desiree Cocroft, Executive Leadership and Self-Mastery Architect Destination: Life LLC.

For more information, please visit the Diversity Award website: Division of Personnel Management Diversity Award from the State Council on Affirmative Action (wi.gov)