9/24/2024 10:09:32 AM
MNIT hosted our Annual Awards ceremony on Friday, Sept. 20. The Annual Awards brought MNIT employees together to recognize the exceptional individuals, teams, and projects that have significantly impacted our mission to serve the people of Minnesota.
This event offers a chance to learn from each other’s successes, and reflect on and celebrate the hard work, dedication, and innovation that bring us closer to a more secure, digital government.
Below are the awardees and finalists who have set the standard for excellence at MNIT, inspiring us all to strive for greater results.
Kimario Daniel Fawkes is known for his remarkable leadership and dedication to public service. He expertly manages complex projects, ensuring meaningful results for both MNIT and the people of Minnesota. Kimario’s leadership style is centered around servant leadership—he always puts others first, seeks feedback, and fosters growth. His transparency and honesty have built deep trust with his colleagues, making him an invaluable member of our team.
Finalists for Employee of the Year demonstrated exceptional dedication and contributions to advancing MNIT's mission:
Kristi Grunewald has brought extensive project management experience to MNIT’s partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Her ability to guide complex initiatives to success, while balancing both technical and business perspectives, has earned her high praise. Kristi’s problem-solving skills and innovative approaches consistently lead to successful outcomes. Her ability to create strong connections with colleagues and partners has made her a standout leader within the agency.
Nominees for Manager of the Year displayed outstanding leadership and commitment to driving key initiatives forward:
The Blood Lead Modernization project, recognized as this year's Project of the Year, transformed how lead exposure cases are managed across Minnesota. By modernizing the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Blood Lead Surveillance Program, the project enabled faster identification of at-risk children and pregnant people, leading to more timely interventions. Improved data processing and communication with local public health agencies allowed for better case collaboration, reducing delays, and enhancing public health outcomes. This project has had a far-reaching impact, safeguarding vulnerable populations and addressing environmental risks more effectively.
The Project of the Year recognizes a team that delivered a high-impact solution for one or more business partners. The finalists for the 2024 Project of the Year are:
The Whole-of-State Cybersecurity Team was named this year’s Team of the Year for their comprehensive efforts in protecting Minnesota's digital infrastructure. Through the rollout of the Whole-of-State Cybersecurity Plan, the team achieved a 30% reduction in critical vulnerabilities statewide. Their collaborative approach involved risk assessments for local governments and partnerships with institutions like Metro State University. By securing new federal funding and fostering collaboration with over 500 statewide entities, the team has made Minnesota a leader in cybersecurity, with a significant impact on both local government agencies and K-12 public schools.
The Team of the Year award honors an operational team that provides outstanding, customer-focused service while supporting an existing product or service. The finalists for the 2024 Team of the Year are:
This year’s Partner of the Year is Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), recognized for their critical collaboration with MNIT on key initiatives. MMB supported the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) implementation, played a major role in customer experience transformation through the One Minnesota Plan, and backed 2023 IT investments, including $500M in statewide modernization and cybersecurity efforts. Their work on electronic policy updates enabled 100% adoption of MFA, and they advanced sustainable funding for systems like SWIFT and SEMA4 while promoting the Minnesota state brand with new document templates for all state employees.
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