BLUFFTON, S.C. - s4story -- Laura Winkel, CEO of Libraries for Kids International, has been named a winner of the Excellence Awards 2025, a national program that honors professionals who make a lasting impact in their industries and communities.

The Excellence Awards recognize individuals who show leadership, innovation, and dedication. Winners are chosen through a competitive process that reviews achievements, contributions, and commitment to excellence.

Winkel was selected for her work in expanding access to books for children in rural Africa. Under her leadership, Libraries for Kids International shipped more than 300,000 books to schools in Kenya in 2025 and expanded its reach into Uganda. The organization's mission is to create libraries in schools that have no access to reading materials, helping children discover the joy of learning and opening doors to new opportunities.

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"I am honored to receive this award and to be recognized alongside so many inspiring professionals," Winkel said. "This achievement reflects the hard work of our team and the generosity of donors who believe in the power of education."

The award announcement appears in the latest issue of Excellence Magazine, and winners are listed in the official Awardees Directory. The program also encourages winners to share their stories and connect with peers through its LinkedIn community.

Libraries for Kids International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving literacy and education for children in rural areas of Africa. By shipping books and establishing libraries in schools without access to reading materials, the organization helps students discover the joy of learning and expand their opportunities for the future. Since its founding, Libraries for Kids has delivered over 1.4 million books to underserved communities, empowering teachers and inspiring young readers. Learn more at: https://www.libraries4kids.org