Excellence in Action: Celebrating Our Award Winners

The Indiana School Nutrition Association is proud to recognize the outstanding professionals who have been selected as the ISNA Award Winners for 2025–2026.

These five honorees represent the many ways school nutrition professionals make a difference every day. Through leadership, creativity, service, relationship-building, and an unwavering commitment to students, they demonstrate that the impact of school nutrition reaches far beyond the cafeteria.

This year’s award recipients are Courtney FitzSimons, Director of the Year; Mia Vinson, Assistant Director/Supervisor of the Year; Jennifer Hart, Manager of the Year; Penny Henkenius, Office Assistant of the Year; and Heather Hartman, Super Star Service Award.

Director of the Year: Courtney FitzSimons

Courtney FitzSimons has built her leadership around one simple but powerful idea: meaningful relationships matter.

Courtney intentionally stays visible and hands-on in her cafeterias, creating

opportunities to connect directly with students and staff. She can often be found serving iced coffee in the mornings or personally serving specialty à la carte offerings such as sushi and açaí bowls.

Those interactions are about much more than what is on the menu. By being present and engaged, Courtney learns what students enjoy, listens to their preferences, and builds genuine relationships with the staff who serve them every day.

Her hands-on approach demonstrates that effective school nutrition leadership is not confined to an office. It happens in the cafeteria, in conversations with students, and in the everyday moments that help create a positive school meal experience.

For her commitment to student engagement, relationship-building, and being a visible leader throughout her program, ISNA is proud to recognize Courtney FitzSimons as the 2025–2026 Director of the Year.

Assistant Director / Supervisor of the Year: Mia Vinson

Mia Vinson is the kind of leader who is willing to ask the hard questions, challenge assumptions, and have the conversations necessary to move a program forward.

One colleague described Mia as someone who "challenges me as a director

— even when I don't want her to." That willingness to communicate openly and debate effectively has helped propel her school nutrition program forward.

But Mia's leadership extends well beyond her ability to challenge ideas. She is also known as someone who would do anything to help others when she is able. Her knowledge and experience have made her an invaluable resource and, according to her nomination, a true difference-maker in the school nutrition program.

Mia demonstrates that strong leadership does not always mean agreeing. Sometimes it means asking another question, offering a different perspective, or having a difficult conversation because you know the program will be better for it.

For her expertise, collaboration, willingness to challenge for the better, and commitment to helping others, ISNA proudly recognizes Mia Vinson as the 2025–2026 Assistant Director / Supervisor of the Year.

Manager of the Year: Jennifer Hart

Jennifer Hart brings creativity, innovation, and a student-first mindset to the school nutrition experience.

Her approach starts with understanding that successful school nutrition programs are driven by student participation and satisfaction. She carefully considers the skills of her staff, the equipment available in her kitchens, and the operational needs of her program as she plans for success.

But Jennifer does not stop at planning. She brings creativity to the menu and looks for ways to make school meals more exciting and engaging for students.

Her efforts include annual celebrations such as Friendsgiving, Dr. Seuss' Birthday, and St. Patrick's Day, as well as special events recognizing National School Breakfast Week, National School Lunch Week, and School Lunch Hero Day.

Her hard work, compassion, and creativity have made a lasting impact, helping transform everyday meals into experiences students can look forward to.

For her commitment to students, creative approach to menu planning, and dedication to making school meals fun, ISNA is proud to recognize Jennifer Hart as the 2025–2026 Manager of the Year.

Office Assistant of the Year: Penny Henkenius

Penny Henkenius understands that sometimes the most effective leadership begins with simply being someone others feel comfortable approaching.

Her greatest strengths include being disarming and approachable, listening carefully to understand what is needed or wanted, and then organizing the people and resources necessary to make it happen.

Penny has demonstrated an ability to overcome overwhelming obstacles while continuing to lift those around her up. Her leadership is grounded in listening, understanding, and finding a way forward.

Just as importantly, she has learned the value of letting go when necessary, allowing others to grow while continuing to provide the support they need.

Her steady presence and ability to bring people together make Penny an important part of her school nutrition team.

For her approachability, organizational skills, perseverance, and commitment to lifting others up, ISNA proudly recognizes Penny Henkenius as the 2025–2026 Office Assistant of the Year.

Super Star Service Award: Heather Hartman

Heather Hartman understands that every great school nutrition program begins with the students.

She keeps student participation and overall satisfaction at the center of her planning, while also considering the practical realities of her program, including crediting requirements, staff skill levels, and the equipment available in each kitchen.

Heather combines that thoughtful planning with creativity and compassion to make school meals more engaging for students.

Her efforts have helped bring a sense of celebration and fun to the cafeteria through events such as Friendsgiving, Dr. Seuss' Birthday, St. Patrick's Day, National School Breakfast Week, National School Lunch Week, and School Lunch Hero Day.

These celebrations are more than special events. They create opportunities to build excitement around school meals and show students that the people serving them care about their experience.

Heather's hard work, compassion, and creativity have made a lasting impact on her school community.

For her commitment to students and her extraordinary dedication to creating positive school meal experiences, ISNA is proud to recognize Heather Hartman as the 2025–2026 Super Star Service Award recipient.

Each of these honorees brings something unique to the school nutrition profession. Yet they share a common commitment to serving students, supporting their colleagues, and making their programs better every day.

They remind us that leadership can mean challenging others to think differently. It can mean showing up in the cafeteria and building relationships. It can mean finding creative ways to make meals more exciting, helping a colleague overcome an obstacle, or simply being someone others can count on.

The Indiana School Nutrition Association congratulates Courtney FitzSimons, Mia Vinson, Jennifer Hart, Penny Henkenius, and Heather Hartman on their well-deserved recognition.

Thank you for the passion, creativity, leadership, and service you bring to Indiana's school nutrition profession.

Congratulations to our 2025–2026 ISNA Award Winners!