Leaders in state government are the key to promoting safe, productive working conditions for employees. Often their work goes unnoticed. SEANC has created an "Unsung Hero" award to periodically recognize these officials who go above and beyond to make their workers' lives better.

To that end, the SEANC Select Committee on DHHS Issues voted this week to recognize Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health & IDD Kody Kinsley with the inaugural "Unsung Hero" award for his efforts to keep employees informed and safe during the COVID-19 crisis.

Kinsley is the Operations Lead for DHHS’s COVID-19 Response and has gone above and beyond the call of duty to make sure employee concerns are at the forefront of decision-making.

“Kody Kinsley has made the safety of employees his priority during the crisis,” said SEANC Select Committee on DHHS Issues Chairwoman Sonya Akbar. “His commitment to his employees and his willingness to work with SEANC has been critical in this difficult time.”

Kinsley called SEANC “an indispensable partner during these trying times” in accepting the honor.

“Effective and frequent communication is crucial right now, and with things changing so rapidly, SEANC has been a helpful ally and advocate. We have worked very hard to ensure our large team is informed and aware of how their jobs are impacted, how we are working together to serve North Carolinians, and how we are working to prioritize employee safety.”

Read his full statement below:

“I believe our work centers on being an advocate for those who are voiceless, crafting public policy that promotes wellness and wholeness of our State’s residents and communities, and providing treatment that empowers us to move through trauma into healing and resiliency. Everywhere we look - from every angle - our work right now could not be more important. And none of this work is possible without our team. I know our team of over 10,000 colleagues work every day with these values held deep in their hearts – this work is as much a calling to them as anything else. It is my honor to serve as the leader of this work – to learn from the collective experience of this amazing team and to endeavor together to serve North Carolinians.

“I’m grateful to SEANC, which has been an indispensable partner during these trying times. Effective and frequent communication is crucial right now, and with things changing so rapidly, SEANC has been a helpful ally and advocate. We have worked very hard to ensure our large team is informed and aware of how their jobs are impacted, how we are working together to serve North Carolinians, and how we are working to prioritize employee safety. Additionally, in recognition of the fact that our staff are looked to by their family and neighbors as leaders and informed experts employed by the Department, we’ve worked to share broader information about our COVID-19 response and priorities in North Carolina. SEANC has helped us ensure our team members are on the same page, and that we can have 2-way, proactive communication, which is essential for trust and effective service.

“Any success we have belongs to the hard work our team does every day to serve North Carolinians. It’s my privilege to do everything I can, to support our team.”