Honoring the legacy of Nancy Latimer, lifelong advocate for children and families, the Minnesota Early Childhood Funders Network, an MCF network, announced today that its Third Annual “Nancy” Award recipients are Dr. Glenace Edwall and Zoe Nicholie.
Throughout their careers in research, teaching and administration, Edwall and Nicholie have tirelessly worked to strengthen policies and systems affecting the healthy development of children throughout Minnesota.
Dr. Edwall has served as director of the Children’s Mental Health Division at the Minnesota Department of Human Services since 2000. She is responsible for the state’s county-administered mental health service system, supports the state’s 95 children’s mental health and family service collaboratives, and oversees policy related to children’s mental health benefits provided through Medicaid. Dr. Edwall’s work has increased the identification and service capacity of the state to meet the mental health needs of young children and their families.
Zoe Nicholie retired this year from Ready 4 K, the statewide early childhood advocacy organization, where she directed the Build Initiative and Ready 4 K’s public policy work. She helped broker a new coordinated, comprehensive early childhood system. She also helped lay the groundwork for the creation of a statewide early learning council and launch the Minnesota Quality Rating and Improvement System, a collaboratively developed system of assessments, incentives and education to improve the quality of child care.
The co-chairs of the Minnesota Early Childhood Funders Network steering committee described this year’s recipients, saying:
“This award recognizes the recipients’ extraordinary leadership, passion and commitment to the development of children. Their work on policy and systems has changed the lives of children and families here in Minnesota and beyond.” – Amy Crawford, executive director of The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation
“Both Glenace and Zoe are gifted leaders. They have brought people together around a common vision and have been adept at bridging organizational and sectoral boundaries.” – Denise Mayotte, executive director of The Sheltering Arms Foundation
The Minnesota Early Childhood Funders Network created the “Nancy” Award to honor Latimer, whose 20-year career at The McKnight Foundation included serving as senior program officer.
Latimer, wife of former St. Paul mayor George Latimer, passed away in 2006.
The Minnesota Early Childhood Funders Network works to strengthen the individual and collective efforts of funders to enhance the well-being of Minnesota children and their families. Network membership is open to staff and trustees of MCF members.
Currently, 27 grantmaking organizations participate actively. The network co-sponsors an annual briefing on children’s issues, presents quarterly briefings on early childhood topics, and holds an annual convening.
The Third Annual Nancy Latimer Convening for Children and Youth*, at which the “Nancy” Awards will be presented, is June 25, in Brooklyn Park, Minn.
- Chris Murakami Noonan, MCF Communications Associate
*This event is open to the public.
