Steve Lepinski, MA

Steve Lepinski has served as Chief Executive Officer of Washburn Center for Children for nearly 30 years, working to expand collaboration between schools and mental health providers to significantly transform in-school supports for kids and teens. He recently led a successful fundraising effort that resulted in the establishment of a new, state-of-the-art treatment center and training institute for children’s mental health and helped Washburn become the largest provider of school-based mental health services in Hennepin County. Lepinski’s commitment to children’s mental health extends beyond his career. He served as co-chair of Minnesota’s Integrated Fund Task Force for Children’s Mental Health and as a member of the Governor’s Mental Health Action Group. He was also a founding member of the Children’s Mental Health Partnership, a continuing alliance between state, county, agency, health plan and advocacy organizations. Over the course of his career, Lepinski has been recognized for his tremendous and innovative leadership, receiving the Policy and Public Advocacy Award for leadership in children’s mental health in Minnesota, the Transformational Leadership Award from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and the Heroes for Children Award from the Children’s Law Center, among many others. At every juncture of his career, Lepinski has been driven by his deep desire to ensure a better future for children with mental health needs and to improve the lives of families.

Glenace Edwall, PhD

A lifelong champion for improving mental health services for young people locally and nationally, Dr. Glenace Edwall recently retired from her role as Director of the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Children’s Mental Health Division, where she served for 15 years. Prior to her work with DHS, she held leadership positions with Fraser Child and Family Center, Children’s Hospitals & Clinics of Minnesota, and the University of Minnesota. No matter what her position, her passionate commitment to the wellbeing of youth and families has never waivered. Among her many contributions to the field of children’s mental health, Dr. Edwall’s expertise led to the creation of psychiatric residential treatment facilities and increased the state’s focus on improving infant and early childhood systems of care. She also played an integral role in securing mandated mental health screenings for juveniles in the justice system. Following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, Dr. Edwall worked alongside four others to develop a comprehensive legislative package to strengthen our state’s mental health system; of the 27 provisions she introduced, 17 of them passed. Dr. Edwall’s vast expertise and rich track record of advocacy continue to influence the lives of young people in Minnesota and across the country.

Scott Harman, MSW – Honored Posthumously

An Infant Mental Health Specialist with St. David’s Child Development Center for 24 years, Scott Harman humbly dedicated his career to helping parents develop strong and nurturing relationships with their very young children and shaping systems of care in Minnesota to better support families on that journey. One of the first Minnesotans endorsed as an Infant Mental Health Mentor by the Michigan Infant Mental Health Association, he played a significant role in building the infant mental health field here in Minnesota—including the creation and growth of MACMH’s early childhood division, MACMH-IEC. He was an essential presence in integrating infant mental health principles into many Twin Cities initiatives, including home visiting programs, early care and education, Head Start, early intervention, family education, special education, and the family court system. Scott was an integral part of the University of Minnesota’s Infant and Early Childhood Certificate Program, actively contributing in the development of the program’s curriculum as well as being a central part of the instructional team throughout the history of the program. Additionally, Scott partnered with University of Minnesota faculty to apply the principles of the Steps Toward Effective Enjoyable Parenting (STEEP) Program in community settings, advancing both research and practice in the field of children’s mental health. He touched countless lives through his thoughtful vision, compassion, and advocacy on behalf of families in Minnesota and beyond. His legacy of leadership and the incredible impact he leaves behind within the field of infant and early childhood mental health will be felt for generations to come.