Meet the finalists: 2025 ELEVATE United Way Champion of the Year
The United Way Champion of the Year award will be given to a person who lends crucial support by encouraging their networks to get involved with United Way of Central Indiana. This honoree spearheads giving and volunteering initiatives and is the United Way ambassador for their organization.
This year’s finalists are dedicated advocates who educate and inspire, and we’re thrilled for you to join us in celebrating their accomplishments at United Way’s 7th annual ELEVATE on Feb. 22.
Here are our five finalists:
Brandon Cobb, associate director of strategy and operations at Eli Lilly and Company:
Brandon Cobb has been a dedicated leader in the United Way campaign, serving as Vice chair in 2023 and chair in 2024 of the Ambassador Committee for the Lilly Core Team. Through his leadership, he trained and motivated over 200 ambassadors, helping boost employee participation to a record 45%. His commitment of over 130 volunteer hours in 2024, along with his strategic input in campaign planning, has left a lasting mark. Brandon’s passion for continuous improvement extends beyond volunteering — he was recently accepted into the Indiana University Kelley School of Business to pursue his master’s in finance. Whether refining processes, leading teams or running marathons, he is always striving for excellence.
Vote Brandon for People’s Choice.
Rachel Maxey, community engagement manager at MDwise:
As MDwise’s manager of community engagement, Rachel Maxey has spent nearly a decade driving impactful community initiatives. She plays a key role in the CARES Committee, organizing volunteer opportunities and leading clothing and shoe drives for organizations like Horizon House and Dove House. Her dedication extends to United Way’s thrill-seeking events, where she has helped raise over $3,000 to support vital community programs. Rachel has also been instrumental in MDwise’s Give Back campaign, contributing to nearly $38,000 in fundraising efforts over the past three years. Her passion for philanthropy, leadership and ability to inspire others make her a true champion for community impact.
Vote Rachel for People’s Choice.
TJ O’Neil, senior engagement manager II at Walker Information:
TJ O'Neil's commitment to volunteerism and philanthropy is deeply rooted in his early experiences: "I think a lot of why I have chosen to be involved in volunteerism and philanthropy stems from when I was young —youth group mission trips and church gift drives." His passion for community engagement shines through his leadership in Walker Information's United Way campaign, where he achieved an impressive 99% participation rate. TJ’s creativity led to the development of the "Ascend for Community" theme, which he described as "a way to tie a hiking and national park concept to the mission of serving the local community." Beyond his fundraising success, he shares, "One of my greatest loves in life is acting. Getting to share a story that moves an audience to laughter, sadness, or contemplation," underscoring his belief in the power of storytelling. TJ’s leadership, whether through organizing volunteer projects or inspiring his colleagues, demonstrates his dedication to both service and the narratives that bring people together. His impact goes beyond the campaign, as he continues to foster a culture of giving back at Walker and in the community.
Adrienne Roman, staff program manager at Illumina:
Adrienne Roman is a dedicated community leader and a proud graduate of United Way’s Leadership United program. She has gone above and beyond as a board member at Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, volunteering her time to support food pantries, summer camps and workforce initiatives. Her passion for philanthropy led her to help raise over $1,500 for United Way’s Sky High fundraiser, contributing to a $20,000 impact for United Way’s Basic Needs initiatives. Adrienne also serves on Leadership United’s Advisory Council and Fundraising Committee, working to engage others in the fight against poverty. In addition to her nonprofit efforts, she is the vice president of membership for the Project Management Institute – Central Indiana Chapter. Adrienne’s unwavering dedication to creating positive change makes her a true champion for her community.
Vote Adrienne for People’s Choice.
Anna Sherrill, community-based learning and civic education coordinator at DePauw University:
Anna Sherrill is a passionate advocate for community engagement, currently serving as the engagement coordinator at DePauw University. Her dedication to fostering a culture of volunteerism and civic responsibility has helped build strong connections between students, local nonprofits and community stakeholders. Reflecting on her upbringing, Anna shares, "Both of my parents came from humble beginnings, which I now understand transcended into the way my siblings and I were raised. They taught us how to serve others." As the leader of the DePauw Little Five campaign for United Way, Anna has raised over $50,000 to support the expansion of the ReadUP program in Putnam County, improving literacy and educational outcomes for local children. Her ability to mobilize students and donors has significantly increased United Way’s impact, engaging over 200 new donors annually. Anna has also been instrumental in connecting DePauw University employees to United Way initiatives, further strengthening the university's commitment to service. Her ongoing efforts to involve students in community-driven change continue to leave a lasting impact on both DePauw and Putnam County.