United Way honors Carole Dunn with Distinguished Leader award posthumously as part of Class of 2025
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A group of devoted community members were officially honored as the next class of up-and-coming leaders in St. Joseph this week, highlighted by the dedication of one late member who long embodied the program's core values.
United Way of Greater St. Joseph is celebrating the work of 28 local leaders who graduated from its longstanding Leadership St. Joseph program on Thursday, capping off a year-long program designed to boost leadership skills and promote community investment.
Leaders from a wide variety of career fields and professions were featured in this year's class, including those in K12 and higher education, nonprofit services, government, healthcare, business, banking and more.
As part of this year's class, the 2025 United Way Leadership St. Joseph Distinguished Leader Award was presented to the late Carole A. Dunn, who unexpectedly passed away on June 10, 2025, at the age of 56. Her daughter, Bridgette Ballinger, was presented the award on her behalf.
Dunn was a member of the 2002 United Way Leadership St. Joseph class and dedicated her life to volunteering and supporting a wide variety of local organizations, including the YWCA Board of Directors, the Women of Excellence Steering Committee and the Leadership St. Joseph Steering Committee.
"Carol is a beautiful example of leading in every room you are in, regardless of what your role is," United Way President Kylee Strough. "She brought an energy, a spirit, and an inspiration to all she did what she did through her workday at the News-Press with Josephine, and AFL-CIO Community Services. She brought leadership to how she operated within the community as a citizen, championing for Downtown, small businesses, the arts, taking care of our community and making it better. It was our honor last night to recognize Carole with this award."
Dunn was a vital member of the St. Joseph News-Press for more than three decades, helping lead the company's marketing and community engagement efforts, Josephine magazine and supporting numerous other areas of the company.
United Way Leadership St. Joseph 2025 graduates include:
Shay Bernard -- Progressive Community Services
Tom Brand -- St. Joseph Community Alliance
Stephanie Bush -- American Family Mutual Insurance Company
Summer Deatherage -- City of St. Joseph
Jodi Deering -- Hillyard Companies
Jace Drake -- Mosaic Life Care
Angi Duty -- Community Action Partnership
Stacey Fanning -- Missouri American Water Co.
Lanea Furst -- Altec Industries
Brooklynn Gill -- Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation
Sarah Gockley -- St. Joseph Public Library
Pete Hernandez -- Nor-Am Cold Storage
Tyler Hoffman -- American Family Mutual Insurance Company
Lindsay Hummer -- Mosaic Life Care
Jackson Lohman -- City of St. Joseph
Brandi Lopez -- Altec Industries
Rafael Medeiros de Oliveira Silva -- American Angus Association
Bubba Miller -- Sponsored by Farmers State Bank, employed by Altec Industries
Kristen Neeley -- Missouri Western State University
Kenney Newville -- Modern Litho
Michelle Norman -- Sponsored by Junior League of St. Joseph
Nikki Olt -- Nestle Purina PetCare
Viviana Sanchez -- Daily's Premium Meats
Michelle Schulze -- St. Joseph School District
Tammy Smith-Hinchey -- St. Joseph School District
Cameron Talbot -- Commerce Bank
More than 1,000 individuals have completed United Way's program since its creation in 1982, equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge to serve as engaged community leaders. The program fosters a strong network of community commitment through service, collaboration and a deeper understanding of community needs.
