Meet the finalists: 2024 ELEVATE Emerging Leader of the Year
The Emerging Leader of the Year award will be given to a person who has used their passion for philanthropy, personal development and community to engage their peers in a project that has made a positive impact in the community.
This year’s finalists are lending support to founders of color and cancer patients. They’re boosting the visibility of Indianapolis to attract the next generation of innovators. They’re building the bond between Indiana and Ukraine and providing natural hair care to children.
We hope you can join us in February to celebrate them. Now, put on your corsages and boutonnieres and meet this year’s prom court:
Milan Ball, director of development and marketing at Be Nimble Foundation:
Through her role at Be Nimble Foundation, Milan helps lend support to founders and talent of color who are taking their economic futures into their own hands through technology. While at the organization, she has supported the solicitation of a $1 million institutional gift, which is the largest in the organization’s history. In addition to her position at Be Nimble, Milan is a full-time masters of philanthropic studies student at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI. She also has received a certificate in fundraising management from The Fund Raising School at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at The Meridian Foundation and the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, where she serves on the Wicket World of Croquet Planning Committee. She is passionate about helping others, especially those who have been dealt an impossible hand in life, which has led her down the career path she is on today.
Vote Milan for People’s Choice.
Whitney Melton, therapeutic area specialist at Bristol Myers Squibb:
As a former oncology nurse and caregiver to family members with cancer, Whitney saw firsthand the challenges that many with the disease have to overcome. She met many cancer patients who faced poor support systems and housing, food and transportation insecurities. Her experiences sparked her involvement with Little Red Door Cancer Agency. She previously served as the chair of the Young Professionals Council for Little Red Door and served as a camp nurse at Camp Little Red Door. Currently, she is the chair of Little Red Door Cancer Agency’s Board of Directors. Her vision for Central Indiana is to improve equitable access and awareness of cancer screening and prevention.
Vote Whitney for People’s Choice.
Joe Pellman, executive director of regional image marketing at Indy Chamber of Commerce:
Joe is passionate about providing insight and resources to those of all ages, races, sexual orientations, industries and regional locations who are considering moving to the Indianapolis area. Through his leadership of the Life In Indy regional image marketing and talent initiative, he helped create a website of resources for those thinking about relocating to Indy. He also led the development of the Life In Indy Library, a collection of nearly 1,600 photo and video assets for public use. His vision for Indianapolis is for it to find and market its unique identity to elevate its status on a global stage and attract the next generation of innovators and creatives.
Svitlana Ramer, senior communications manager, Ukraine Projects at DAI Global:
Born and raised in Ukraine, Svitlana jumped into action after hearing about the country’s invasion in 2022. She co-founded the Ukranian Society of Indiana, which serves Ukrainian Hoosiers and friends of Ukraine through cultural, educational and civic projects. Svitlana also serves as the honorary consul of Ukraine to Indiana, through which she plans to create an even stronger bond between Indiana and Ukraine. She also teaches a Ph.D. class at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, where she is working with her students to develop a partnership plan for Terre Haute and a potential sister city in Ukraine.
Vote Svitlana for People’s Choice.
Jada Turner, LISC AmeriCorps intern at Edna Martin Christian Center:
Jada recognizes the financial and time constraints that come along with natural hair care for children and wanted to make a difference. Through her AmeriCorps internship, she entered a grant competition and developed an innovative and creative way to give back to the community. It was through this opportunity that Davine’s Braid-a-Thon was born. After receiving this grant, Jada jumped into action and gave children in the Indianapolis community braided hair styles, haircuts and aftercare packages. Her goal is to reduce bullying in schools by coming together with other local braiders to assist those in need of hair care.