The Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) announced that AME President and CEO Kimberlee Humphrey has been awarded the esteemed Malcolm Baldrige Foundation Award for Leadership Excellence in Nonprofit. This award recognizes exceptional leadership in driving innovation, quality and performance excellence across the United States.

The Baldrige Leadership Award is a testament to Humphrey’s relentless pursuit of excellence and her influential role in shaping the future of leadership and performance improvement. Throughout her career, Humphrey has been instrumental in implementing transformative strategies that have enhanced operational efficiency, fostered a culture of continuous improvement and delivered measurable results.

"I am deeply honored and truly grateful for this recognition as a Baldrige Foundation Award for Leadership Excellence recipient," shared Humphrey. "It is a humbling reminder and reflection of the incredible teams, mentors and colleagues who have guided, challenged and supported me throughout this journey.

This achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration, an unwavering commitment to excellence and our shared dedication to continuous improvement. The Baldrige Excellence Framework® helps organizations improve and achieve sustainable results. We embrace innovation, adaptability and the courage to push boundaries — always striving to serve our customers and stakeholders at the highest level.

I have been a Baldrige believer for several decades and have seen firsthand how Baldrige helps organizations navigate dynamic environments, focus on strategy-driven performance, achieve customer and workforce engagement, and improve governance, ethics, societal responsibilities, competitiveness and long-term organizational sustainability.

I celebrate this moment with each of you. Together, we drive meaningful change, strengthening our organizations and the communities we serve."

AME Board Chair Billy Taylor praised Humphrey’s achievements, stating, "Her contributions to the manufacturing industry, her advocacy for quality and continuous improvement, and her dedication to leadership development reflect the highest ideals of this prestigious award. Kim’s influence has not only transformed the organizations she has led but has also inspired countless individuals to pursue excellence in their personal and professional lives. Her legacy of leadership, innovation and service will continue to benefit future generations.”

The award was officially presented at the Baldrige Quest for Excellence 2025 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront on Tuesday, April 1.

For more information, visit www.ame.org.