President and CEO Bryan Phipps presented two exceptional staff members with the Goldsmith Award at People Incorporated’s 2025 All Staff event. Named in honor of longtime President and CEO Rob Goldsmith, this prestigious award recognizes employees who exemplify the organization’s mission, vision, and Core Values through their dedication and service.
This year’s recipients, Susie Powers and April Woodward, embody the heart of Community Action and the spirit of excellence that defines People Incorporated.
Susie serves as Center Operations Specialist at Head Start. For more than 22 years, she has been a steady and transformative leader at the Bristol Child Development Center. She has cultivated a nurturing environment where children flourish, families feel supported, and staff thrive under her guidance.
Known for her compassion and adaptability, Susie continually goes above and beyond—keeping pace with evolving standards of learning and care, tailoring education to individual needs, and connecting families to essential resources. Her colleagues describe her best: “Susie doesn’t just manage. She advocates for the children, parents, and our staff.”
Her leadership, grounded in kindness and integrity, reflects the very best of People Incorporated. The lasting impact of her service continues to strengthen the lives of the families she supports and the coworkers she inspires.
April, meanwhile, is known across the agency as the quiet powerhouse who keeps systems running smoothly and teams supported. As Accounting Manager for the Housing Group, her technical expertise and steady support have strengthened the organization from within. She successfully led the implementation of a new online project management system, customizing it to meet complex needs, training staff, and improving collaboration across departments.
Equally remarkable is her compassion. April is known for stepping in to help overwhelmed colleagues, building custom tools, and making herself available whenever support is needed. One peer shared, “Nearly every time I speak with her, she says, ‘Holler if you need anything!’ — and she truly means it.” Through her dedication, humility, and commitment to learning, April has made a lasting impact on both People Inc.’s internal culture and its mission-driven work in the community.
The Goldsmith Award is People Incorporated’s highest recognition for staff excellence. It celebrates those who live the organization’s values, demonstrate exceptional leadership, and inspire others through their daily work. Recipients like Susie and April remind us that the strength of People Incorporated lies not only in its programs but in the people who bring them to life every day.
Congratulations, Susie and April, and thank you for your extraordinary contributions to the People Incorporated family.
