Finalists chosen for awards recognizing top young philanthropists

INDIANAPOLIS – They are advocates, mentors and leaders. Innovators, fundraisers and volunteers.  

They work with underserved youth and immigrant, refugee and LGBTQ+ communities.  

They promote science and the arts in education, and they build workplace programs to bolster mental wellness, empower women and improve parental leave policies. 

This year’s finalists for the ELEVATE awards exemplify the ingenuity needed to move our community forward on important social causes. Today, United Way of Central Indiana announced 18 finalists for the fourth annual awards, a fundraising event that recognizes the region’s top young philanthropists between the ages of 21 and 40.  

Winners will be announced at the Mardi Gras-themed event, to be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at The Crane Bay Event Center, 551 W. Merrill St., Indianapolis.  

ELEVATE raises money for United Way's Basic Needs Fund, which ensures our most vulnerable neighbors have access to food, housing, transportation and health services. Since it began in 2019, the event has raised more than $300,000.  

This year’s finalists were selected from more than 80 nominations. United Way will highlight their work throughout the month at uwci.org/elevate and on social media. The finalists are:  

Community Ambassador, presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield:  

• Jennifer Borchelt, Barnes & Thornburg   

• Luisa Macer, Indianapolis Motor Speedway 

• Anthony Murdock II, Murdock, Inc. 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advocate:  

• Tiffany Hanson, LUNA Language Services 

• Tiffany Kyser, Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center 

• Alex Simonton, Indiana University Health 

Employee Resource Group:  

• Eli Lilly and Company (Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly) 

• Enterprise Holdings (Women’s Resource Group) 

• Indiana Legal Services (Wellness Team) 

Nonprofit Employee of the Year, presented by Katz, Sapper & Miller:  

• Kelsey Kennedy, Trinity Haven   

• Laura Merrifield Wilson, University of Indianapolis 

• Michael Winborn, Children’s Bureau + Families First

Volunteer of the Year, presented by Roche:  

• Lauren Fiedler, Bohlsen Group, on behalf of animal rescue organizations 

• Devina Jani, Indiana University School of Social Work, on behalf of DJ Center for Youth 

• Brandy Moorhead, nurse at local hospital, on behalf of Indy RBI 

Volunteer Leader of the Year, presented by BMO Harris Bank:  

• Adam Clevenger, Loring, Sternberg & Associates, on behalf of Second Helpings 

• Rufus Cochran, Roche, on behalf of Indiana Sciences/March for Science Indianapolis 

• Patrick Jessee, Thrivant Consulting, on behalf of 21st Century Scholars advisory committee, among many others 

Winners are selected by a panel of eight judges:  

• Alan Bacon and Mali Jeffers, co-founders, GANGGANG    

• A’Niyah Birdsong, Miss Indiana USA 

• Jo Garcia, individual giving officer, The Great American Songbook Foundation 

• Gloria Jimenez, executive director, Indiana Latino Expo 

• Ericka Sanders, executive director, You Yes You! 

• Taylor Schaffer, chief of staff and chief deputy mayor, Indianapolis 

• Luke Zhang, senior data scientist, Resultant 

All 18 ELEVATE finalists also are eligible to win the People’s Choice award. The public can vote for their top pick by visiting uwci.org/elevate.  

Tickets for the event start at $50 and can be purchased at uwci.org/elevate.