NASCA Press Release: CoreyAnne Gulkewicz Announced as 2025 Government Operations Champion Award Recipient

For Immediate Release
October 27, 2025

Contact: Elizabeth Whitehouse, Executive Director, executivedirector@nasca.org

NASCA Press Release: CoreyAnne Gulkewicz Announced as 2025 Government Operations Champion Award Recipient

Springfield, IL — The National Association of State Chief Administrators is proud to announce CoreyAnne Gulkewicz, Chief Strategy Officer of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS), as the recipient of the NASCA 2025 Government Operations Champion Award.

The Government Operations Champion Award seeks to honor an individual that champions the critical role of efficient, effective, equitable operations and demonstrates a passion that good government operations and programs will enhance the customer and citizen experience.

With more than two decades of public service experience, Gulkewicz has dedicated her career to transforming state operations to better serve the people of Illinois. As Chief Strategy Officer, she has led a once-in-a-generation transformation of the state’s personnel functions – breaking down administrative barriers to State employment and eliminating outdated processes. Her implementation of Illinois’ first enterprise-wide Human Capital Management system has modernized workforce operations across more than 60 State agencies, boards, and commissions, employing more than 50,000 employees. Gulkewicz’s efforts have significantly reduced hiring times and strengthened recruitment statewide.

“CoreyAnne is relentless in her pursuit of excellence in state government operations,” said NASCA Executive Director Elizabeth Whitehouse. “She is one of those rare leaders who can look at a process that’s already working and find ways to make it better. Her tenacity and drive to strengthen state operations make her the exemplary recipient of the NASCA Government Operations Champion Award.”

Upon nominating Gulkewicz, Illinois CMS Deputy Chief of Staff Steven Booth commended her ability to transform and improve government systems.

“Corey-Anne Gulkewicz has two decades of dedicated State of Illinois government service, with a legacy of transforming low performing work units, programs, and systems into timely, efficient, quality programs serving Illinois more equitably and efficiently.”

Booth continued, “Ms. Gulkewicz is an analytical executive who focuses on the overall picture to ascertain strategic business direction with a drive to control costs, manage risk, add value, lead complex transactions and create strategic plans with organizational leaders to effectively align with and support key business initiatives.”

Gulkewicz’s dedication to efficient, innovative, and responsive government operations demonstrate her commitment to ensuring state governments effectively serve those they represent. Her leadership represents the kind of excellence honored by the NASCA Government Operations Champion Award.

Founded in 1976, NASCA is the nation’s only nonpartisan, nonprofit organization serving chief administrative officers or CAOs. NASCA provides a forum for state chief administrative officers to exchange information and learn new ideas from each other and private sector partners. NASCA engages states in transforming government operations through shared knowledge, operational excellence, and thought leadership.

For more information on NASCA, please visit NASCA.org.