Pictured from left: Ivory Clarke, Ciearra “CJ” Walker, Emily Brown, Dwayne Proctor,
Evonnia Woods, Kelly McGowan, and Diego Abente
During a commemoration event that brought together partners, community leaders, and friends, we unveiled the first five recipients of our new award: The Spark Prize. The prize offers $200,000 to individuals with outstanding vision, commitment, and promise to improve health and well-being in Missouri. This reveal served as a small sample of how the Foundation is evolving in its role as a changemaker.
Unlike traditional grants that fund organizations, The Spark Prize is an example of what is sometimes called “prize philanthropy,” and highlights our direct investment in people and emerging leaders. It offers awardees flexible, trust-based financial support, giving each recipient the freedom to use the prize in whatever ways they see fit, fueling their long-term commitment to creating a healthier, more just Missouri.
Selected from more than 170 nominations across the state, this year’s awardees represent diverse regions, sectors, and lived experiences. Each is tackling social challenges that impact health and developing innovative solutions to help communities thrive:
Diego Abente: President and CEO of Casa de Salud, expanding access to culturally responsive clinical and mental health care for immigrants and uninsured communities in Missouri.
Emily Brown: Co-founder and CEO of Attane Health, pioneering food-based health care solutions to address chronic disease and create healthier communities.
Kelly McGowan: Founder and Executive Director of Transform 314, using creative education and neighborhood-based solutions to reimagine how residents connect with local government.
Ciearra “CJ” Walker: Founder and CEO of the Community Health Worker Coalition, building a statewide career network to strengthen frontline health leadership and drive community-rooted change.
Evonnia Woods: Organizer and movement builder, creating new infrastructure for racial, reproductive, and economic justice across Missouri.
Pictured from left: Ivory Clarke, Ciearra “CJ” Walker, Emily Brown, Dwayne Proctor,
Evonnia Woods, Kelly McGowan, and Diego Abente
In addition to the main prize, MFH honored four “Leaders to Watch” – Nicole Brown (One Joplin), Hopey Fink (Legal Services of Eastern Missouri), Lawrence Simonson (Missouri Immunization Coalition), and Liza Weiss (Missouri Appleseed) – with $25,000 awards recognizing their impact.
“Health care is not a privilege for the few – it’s a foundation for all […] And if we can make Missouri a place where everyone is welcomed, cared for, and able to give back, we all benefit.”
“This award helps us continue to build here in Missouri […] This funding gives us the flexibility to grow partnerships and continue building the evidence for sustainable policy change.”
“This award is helping me breathe. It gives me space to plan, to hire, to dream bigger […] It can be lonely doing systems change, you wonder if anyone notices. This award says: we see you. Keep going.”
“I want Missouri to feel happy […] I want us to embrace the innovation we already have, and bridge divides – rural and urban, north and south. The work we’re doing transcends geography, and Missouri is uniquely positioned to lead.”
“In this work, you often don’t feel like you’re doing enough. So being seen in this way? It’s validating. It’s energizing […] It’s not just about doing something with the money – it’s about building something that bears fruit.”
A special thanks goes to people at Third Degree Glass Factory, who crafted these Spark Prize awards while rebuilding from the devastating May 16 tornado in St. Louis.
© 2025 Missouri Foundation for Health
