United Way of Central Indiana names finalists for 2026 ELEVATE awards
The finalists for the 2026 ELEVATE awards advocate for inclusivity, fight food insecurity and ensure all voices have a seat at the table.
They serve as caregivers for the aging, tutor students experiencing homelessness, and help jobseekers earn credentials and find work.
They advocate for literacy, ensure access to education and support immigrant communities.
On Monday, United Way of Central Indiana named 24 finalists for the ELEVATE awards, an annual event that honors the region’s top young philanthropists, advocates, nonprofit employees and volunteers between the ages of 21 and 41. Now in their eighth year, the awards also serve as a fundraiser for United Way’s basic needs initiatives, which help provide food, housing, transportation and health services to Hoosiers who need it most.
Winners will be announced at the event, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 21, 2026, at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. This year’s ELEVATE, sponsored by Old National Bank, carries the theme “Emerging Masterpieces.”
Tickets starting at $65 can be purchased at uwci.org/elevate.
An external committee composed of volunteers from the community selected the finalists from a pool of nominees. The 2026 finalists are:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advocate of the Year, presented by Glick Philanthropies:
Nicole O’Neal, Free Press Indiana
Casey Springer, Salesforce
Darrell Williams, Eli Lilly and Company
Per Scholas Indianapolis: Tommy Arvo; Danielle Cox-Eland; Alberta Jose; Stephen Lewis; Theron Wilson
Emerging Leader of the Year:
Melanie Allen, Green Loop Marketing
Hope Coons, Community Foundation of Boone County
Marc O’Leary, Elevate Endurance LLC
Ephraim Sy Palmero III, LISC
Khara Smith, BU Wellness Network
Maria Yuquilima, Indiana Army National Guard, Indiana University McKinney School of Law
Nonprofit Employee of the Year:
Karen Adan, Morning Light
Neysa Meyer, Putnam County Community Foundation
Veronica Onofrey, Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana
Kristopher Subler, Ascend Indiana
United Way Champion of the Year:
Vincent Aguirre, Distinct
Maddie Augustus, Faegre Drinker
Rachel Bragg, Eli Lilly and Company
Julie Singer, Bluestar Wealth Advisory of Raymond James
Volunteer of the Year:
Annie Cole, Riley Children’s Foundation
Loren Dent, Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates
Megan Mioduski, Women for Riley
Randy Pease, Teach For America
Bailey Peycha, Conrad Indianapolis
Emily Sandberg, Indiana University
The winners will be selected by a panel of judges:
Amanda Bonilla, owner, ICN Solutions; United Way board member
Ivan Cropper, vice president of marketing and communications, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana
Peter Hanscom, chief development officer, Free Press Indiana; 2025 ELEVATE Emerging Leader of the Year winner
Andrea McGordon, community development MGR, SR, VP, Old National Bank
Cassie Mecklenburg, executive director, Sheltering Wings
Nate Spangle, founder, Get Indiana
All finalists also are eligible to win the People’s Choice Award, presented by Katz, Sapper & Miller. Members of the public can vote for their favorite finalist starting Jan. 5 at uwci.org/elevate.