Leadership Springfield announced Clay Goddard as the recipient of the 2021 O. Kenworthy Award for Outstanding Leadership during its annual One Big Class Reunion annual program graduation event on Tuesday, June 8, 2021.
Clay is a dedicated advocate for the health and safety of Springfield’s citizens. He joined the Springfield-Greene County Health Department in 1996 and has served in a number of city government roles, including his role as Director of Health which he began in October 2017. Clay recently retired from the local health department and began a new position as Senior Director of Public Health Transformation at Missouri Foundation for Health.
His education includes a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Missouri State University. He is a graduate of Leadership Springfield Signature Class 21 as well as the Missouri Public Health Leadership Institute, and a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Clay has served on the board of Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Jordan Valley Community Health Center, Burrell Behavioral Health and has been involved with United Way of the Ozarks. He is one of Springfield Business Journal’s 2021 12 People You Need to Know, and Springfield Business Journal Health Care Champions Administrator in 2019.
“As we reflect on this truly unique year, there is no one more deserving of this award than Clay Goddard. As a community, we saw Clay build trust, show compassion, provide stability and create hope for Springfield. His calm, steady, strong and compassionate leadership throughout his career in public health demonstrates the Leadership Springfield mission of inspire, develop, connect and serve,” said Carrie Richardson, Leadership Springfield Executive Director.
The O. Franklin Kenworthy Outstanding Leadership Award was established in 1989 in memory of Franklin Kenworthy, a posthumous graduate of Signature Class 3. Recipients must demonstrate a commitment to Leadership Springfield’s mission; involvement in community service activities; good citizenship; outstanding leadership qualities; and high moral and ethical standards.
