By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–The Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award has bestowed a distinguished award to Barbara Jiménez, the Community Operations Officer for the county’s Health and Human Services Agency.
Jiménez, who plays a pivotal role in overseeing the County’s Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities (HSEC), joins a select group of national awardees representing diverse sectors such as large and small businesses, health care, education, nonprofit organizations, cybersecurity, communities, and government.
This accolade marks a historic moment as the Baldrige Foundation introduces the ‘Community’ category. The inaugural group of awardees is hailed as embodying the role model leadership needed by communities and the country at large, according to a statement released by the Baldrige Foundation.
Al Faber, President, and CEO of the Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, Inc., highlighted the significance of the leadership awards. He emphasized that these awards recognize individuals, leaders, and supporters who epitomize Baldrige leadership and management values, contributing outstanding service not only to the Baldrige community but also beyond.
“Having the opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s lives drives me and is something I couldn’t accomplish without the support and dedication of countless coworkers. This award is a tribute to all of our efforts, and I’m humbled to be the recipient,” Jiménez said.
With a career spanning over 30 years, Jiménez has been instrumental in providing, promoting, and overseeing social and human services throughout San Diego County. Before assuming the role of HHSA Community Operations Officer in July 2021, where she was tasked with creating HSEC, much of her career was dedicated to communities in South and Central San Diego.
Jiménez is recognized for her binational and bilingual work, as well as her extensive community listening sessions, including steering Southeastern Live Well Center planning for nearly a decade. During the peak of the COVID-19 emergency, her responsibilities included coordinating with nonprofits to expand outreach and resources into neighborhoods where they were already embedded and trusted.
Dr. Eric McDonald, interim HHSA director, praised Jiménez’s passion for working closely with the community.
“Barbara has a real passion for working side by side with the community, so this award is a perfect match. We are thrilled for her, but frankly not surprised because we see the good work she does every day,” McDonald said.
The Baldrige Foundation, established as the private partner to the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program in 1988, aims to ensure the long-term financial viability of the Baldrige Program and support organizational performance excellence in the United States and worldwide. The Leadership Awards will be presented during the Foundation Awards ceremony as part of the annual Quest for Excellence conference near Washington, D.C., on April 9.
