2023 ELEVATE Emerging Leader of the Year, presented by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

The Emerging Leader of the Year award, presented by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, will be given to a person who has leveraged their passion for philanthropy, personal development and community by engaging their peers in a project that has created a positive impact in the community.  

This year’s finalists unite their passion for making Central Indiana the best it can be with their ability to engage their peers to create notable change in our communities. We’re so excited for you to do brunch with them later this week. 

Now, let’s get to know our five finalists. It’s time to share good vibes with:  

Willy Ariste, community engagement manager at Community Alliance of the Far Eastside: 

 The Haitian pride runs deep with Willy and is a critical part of his passion for connecting his peers. He uses his talents with CAFÉ to provide immigrants with valuable resources and opportunities to feel connected to Central Indiana. He created a passport clinic and used his legal background to support urgent needs for hundreds of people in need. He’s forged national relationships to benefit the immigrant community in Central Indiana and continues to find opportunities to support interns and students interested in political science and advocacy. He prides himself on being a first-generation college graduate, when English wasn’t his primary language, and hopes he can empower others from a similar background to succeed.  

Connect with him on LinkedIn and vote Willy for People’s Choice. 

Alexandra Hall, community development officer at Charity Cares Early Academy: 

For more than a decade, Alexandra has dedicated her time and talent to supporting youth, specifically in communities of color, by fighting for equitable access to education. During the COVID-19 pandemic her resolve was strengthened when most would’ve felt defeated. She knew vulnerable children were at risk of falling behind, so she created multiple community learning sites. The sites created safe spaces for children to have access to food, caregivers and the internet – all things they weren’t guaranteed otherwise. Her COVID innovations earned attention from the Governor and City-County Council, who appointed her to multiple state and city wide boards where she can continue to advocate for equitable access to education – in Central Indiana and beyond. 

Connect with her on LinkedIn and vote Alexandra for People’s Choice. 

De’Niece Harrison-Hudson, community affairs director at OneAmerica: 

Some data analysts might find comfort in putting their head down into spreadsheets, but for De’Niece, she wanted to use her love of data to engage others. Initially starting as a volunteer opportunity, she joined the Pathways Junior Fellows program, an immersive summer internship for high school juniors and seniors who live in underserved neighborhoods around Indianapolis. After a successful term, she was offered the first director position for the company's Pathways program. Through this work, she’s been able to steer nearly 40 students through the program, award $5,000 in scholarships and engage several community-based organizations with OneAmerica employees. In addition to this work, she serves on multiple boards and advocates for more STEM access for girls across Central Indiana.  

Connect with her on LinkedIn and vote De’Niece for People’s Choice. 

Sampson Levingston, founder at Through2Eyes: 

Sampson uses his love for storytelling and history to educate the Central Indiana community on the impact Black Hoosiers have had on our state. He engages the community through his “walk and talks,” an opportunity to tour historic areas in Indianapolis and learn how they were shaped by Black and brown people. Sometimes this means hearing an uncomfortable truth, but one that paints a clearer picture. He’s facilitated over 400 walks, created multiple after-school programs and garnered national media coverage for his work. In addition to this, he serves as a mentor for many young professionals across Central Indiana, sharing his entrepreneurial journey with young people who may have never seen someone who looks like them leading their own business.  

Connect with him on LinkedIn and vote Sampson for People’s Choice.

Luke Zhang, senior data scientist at Resultant:  

After graduating from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Luke chose to stay in Indiana rather than take an opportunity in Silicon Valley. He loved this community and wanted to make a lasting impact. Through his work at Resultant, he worked with the governor's office and state Department of Health on a project that used data science to address the coronavirus pandemic. Outside of his day job, he serves on six different board, mentors through multiple young-professional networks and has won countless awards for his commitment to community-based work. Through his extracurricular involvement, he demonstrates the importance of STEM, advocates for more diversity in the field and encourages his peers to find those extra opportunities to contribute to their communities, in whatever way possible. 

Connect with him on LinkedIn and vote Luke for People’s Choice.