Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana Blog

Goodwill’s Annual Awards: A Celebration of Mission Impact on Employees, Students, and Program Participants

Written by Gretchen E. Piper | Jul 2, 2026 2:00:02 PM

Each year, Goodwill employees are encouraged to share stories of individuals who have overcome significant barriers to achieve success. Through a formal nomination and selection process, candidates are narrowed down to the top three finalists in each category.Once the award winners are selected, a video production process begins to bring these remarkable stories of resilience to life.

On June 5, 2026, the award ceremony and brunch was held to honor this year's honorees. Goodwill employees, award honorees and guests came together to learn and celebrate the inspirational journeys of the 2026 Achievers.

Health Achievement Award: Recognizes a Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership Indiana graduate who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to participating in the program and achieving a healthy pregnancy and child.

Health Achievement Honorees

Diana Carolina Portillo Muñoz
Juana Sebastian Bartolome

2026 Health Achiever of the Year
Sha’Nila Sloan

 

Employment Achievement Award: Recognizes a member of the Goodwill family (program participant or employee) who has demonstrated significant progress and achievement in securing employment and/or advancing to a middle-skill position or higher wage.

Employment Achievement Honorees

Melissa Lebo
Ben Hutto


2026 Employment Achiever of the Year

Heather Griffith

 

Education Achievement Award: Recognizes a current student or graduate of The Excel Center who has demonstrated significant progress and achievement in advancing their education.

Education Achievement Honorees

Heather Hall
Caitlyn Grimme


2026 Education Achiever of the Year
Grace Stuteville


Indianapolis Metropolitan High School Outstanding Student Achievement Award: Recognizes a current Indianapolis Metropolitan High School senior who has made significant progress in overcoming individual barriers. The student must also have a solid plan for postsecondary education.

Indianapolis Metropolitan High School Outstanding Achievement Honorees

Yahir Deciano-Castillo
Camille Hayes

2026 Indianapolis Metropolitan High School Outstanding Student of the Year

Kelli Gillis

 

Barbara Robinson Memorial Award: Recognizes a current Goodwill employee with one or more disabilities who has demonstrated significant achievement in overcoming barriers to secure employment.

Barbara Robinson Memorial Honorees

Cleautha Rich
Erin White

2026 Barbara Robinson Memorial Achiever of the Year

Micah Krieg

 

Connections Award: Recognizes a Goodwill partner organization that has provided exceptional support to the Goodwill family, mission, and organization.

2026 Connections Achiever of the Year

Old National Bank

 

To learn more about this year’s winners and watch them tell their stories, visit  www.goodwillindy.org/achievers.