September 30, 2021 — Colleen Kannaday, President of Carle BroMenn Medical Center and Carle Eureka Hospital,
is the recipient of the 2021 ATHENA Leadership Award®, presented by the McLean County Chamber of
Commerce, on Thursday, September 20, 2021. The award was presented virtually to Kannaday at the Leaders of
Distinction Awards program hosted by the Chamber and Pantagraph Media at the Epiphany Farms Estate.
Colleen is the President of Carle BroMenn Medical Center & Carle Eureka Hospital.
Having been president for over 10 years now, Colleen is responsible for leading the Western Region Service Area
for Carle Health. Included in this is leadership over Carle BroMenn Medical Center, a 200-bed Acute Care
Hospital in Normal, IL and Carle Eureka Hospital, a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital in Eureka, IL and a multi-
specialty physician group including Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers.
Beginning her career as a participant in the Executive Leadership Program at SSM Health Care, she worked her
way up to VP of Operations at Saint Eugene Community Hospital, followed by President of St. Francis Hospital &
Health Center, to where she is now, President of Carle BroMenn Medical Center & Carle Eureka Hospital.
Colleen has a most impressive list of both professional and community affiliations, such as being a PAC Board
Member for Illinois Hospital Association, being on the Illinois Wesleyan University Board of Trustees, McLean
County Behavioral Health Coordinating Council, and many more.
Some of her numerous accolades include but are not limited to: YMCA Woman of Distinction, WEEK 25 Women in
Leadership Award, Reverend John F. Flanagan Award for Outstanding Leadership, and the Business and
Professional Women’s Young Careerist for the State of South Carolina.
One of Colleen’s strengths and the foundation of her leadership is her ability to build meaningful, trusting
relationships. She believes we are made to be in relationship with others and build authentic connections that lift
one another.
One of Colleen’s nominators states, “She created a culture that is inclusive to all and the ability to learn constantly,
and most importantly fostering collaboration. Her leadership style is one I want to grow into as a mentoring
leader.”
Another area in which Colleen excels is her infectious personality. As quoted by a previous intern, now employee,
“As Colleen would enter the room for the morning meeting huddle, natural adrenaline would flow, and it was like
we were getting ready for the rally. She brought lots of encouragement and a positive attitude that made each one
of the meeting attendees feel enthusiastic and ready to take on the new challenges for the day.”
