Music is in Dwight Emmert’s blood. Emmert has not only played with some of the greatest musicians from across the country, but in his 11 years as EVSC’s Fine Arts Director, he has overseen double-digit growth of the middle and high school music programs. The EVSC honors musicians have even been able to travel across the nation to perform and work. Under Dwight’s leadership, EVSC has offered high-quality music education to all students, helping them to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Kaman Hillenburg is an advocate and leader in our region’s preservation of cultural heritage and artifacts. She founded the all-volunteer organization Southwestern Indiana Collections Connection Association (SICCA), which provides no-cost professional development and networking to staff and volunteers of cultural heritage institutions across the Tri-State. Kaman works with student interns from the University of Evansville and University of Southern Indiana, creating hands-on experiences for a new generation of artists, historians, and archeologists. 

As co-director of the ParksFest Music Festival, Nathan Jochum ensures that the annual, free festival reflects the diversity of our area, includes local talent and features nationally acclaimed acts. He also serves as the SCORE Small Business Mentors chapter chair, helping many navigate their PPP and EIDL loans during the pandemic. In his current role at Ivy Tech, he helps students get the scholarships they need to access the education they deserve. In all he does, Nathan lifts others up so their voices are heard and their talent shines. 

Coach Logan Stallions shares his love of chess with children to empower them to learn patience, strategy, and problem solving in an enjoyable way. He provides the chess tournaments at the CK Newsome center for a nominal fee, doing this on his own with little outside support. You can actually see his eyes light up when kids take an interest in chess and work towards getting better. Coach Logan ensures all kids get a fair chance at competing against their peers, always with a focus on learning and enjoying the game.

With a drive to be “Bigger than Disney,” Cord has a grand vision for ArtIsLife studio and an ability to execute high quality art in our community. Just in 2021, Cord designed and project-managed the Tepe Park Basketball court mural, created the Tepe Park Neighborhood Hero portrait, consulted on the Washington Middle School mural, served on the Evansville Flag design team, produced an art installation at Stefanie’s on Washington, and spoke at the Indiana Arts Homecoming and Memorial CDC’s youth summer program. As a minority leader himself, Cord represents arts to the black community, inspiring and giving a voice to an emerging generation of artists. While his infectious personality makes you believe that anything is possible, his delivery of beauty and wonder to tangible projects shows you that it is possible.

Kirsten Wagmeister believes in the healing power of music. As Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra (EPO) Board President, she took steps to stabilize their finances and lead the board and EPO family to live its new mission statement: “Transforming lives and uplifting the community through the power of music.” During the pandemic, she partnered with EPO’s Executive and Music Directors to keep the music playing by providing recordings of the Peppermint Pops to patients. Kristen also created an Outreach, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee within the EPO Board to ensure music is accessible throughout our community and that the EPO prioritizes performing works of diverse composers. 

Tim Black is a transformational leader in our community and a staunch supporter of equity and inclusion. He leads our local public media company as WNIN’s CEO and serves on numerous nonprofit boards and government commissions, including the Vanderburgh County Human Relations Commission. Tim places community well-being at the center of all decision-making. As the COVID pandemic has continued, he has worked to ensure both of WNIN’s media outlets provide accurate information on community conditions, vaccine access, and public health directives to our three state media markets for free. Tim also provided station resources to numerous community and nonprofit groups, allowing them to reach their constituencies despite the limits on in-person gatherings. 

Samantha Buente is a small business owner and a pillar of Haynie’s Corner. An active member of the Haynie’s Corner Arts District and Downtown Evansville Area, Samantha collaborates with like-minded individuals to organize community events and support local entrepreneurs and other small business owners. In addition, she is a fierce ally of the LGBTQIA+ community, passionately working toward creating and maintaining a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth to be seen, heard, and supported through her work with Greater Evansville Youth.

Dominique Cosby is an outspoken, understanding and extremely passionate community leader, working throughout Evansville to help bridge our community’s racial divides. He is known in our area as an effective collaborator and leader, engaging with local churches and other outside groups and hosting events to bring the community together. 

Father Jay is on a roll! The 84-year-old Catholic priest is the administrator of All Saints parish in Jacobsville and is instrumental in the social justice initiative CAJE: Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment, an interfaith organization tackling tough community problems. From shepherding the Sunday evening Praise mass to hosting a free vegetable giveaway, a soup kitchen, and many other outreach ministries, Father Jay embodies servant leadership. And he has no plans of slowing down!

Xavier Davidson serves as an inspiring example of how much a young person can impact a community. Not only does Xavier speak up for underprivileged youth and people who deserve a secound chance, he seeks to decrease bullying by spreading suicide awareness. His goal is to help bring peace, understanding, and fairness to the world, one step at a time.

Amanda Deutsch and Emily English use their servant leadership skills to help the kids at the Boys & Girls Club. Due to the pandemic, volunteers were not allowed to go in person to the Boys & Girls Club, so the girls planned and organized 24 weeks of Zoom lessons to ensure volunteers could continue connecting and getting to know the kids, even dropping off kits they had made to supplement the lessons. The girls also organized their 4-H Junior Leader Organization to donate $300 to shop at the Boys & Girls Club Christmas store to help the kids give Christmas gifts to their family members.

As a transgender, black man in Southern Indiana, Liam Douglas considers equity and diversity in all he does. His biggest passion, apart from the LGBTQIA+ community, is creating equity and understanding for kids on the autism spectrum. He has helped so many kids as a licensed behavior therapist and now attends the Rogers Hair Academy to provide kids on the spectrum with a haircut. He maintains a backpack program to give kids school supplies and organizes the Adoption of a Family during the Holidays. As Drag King performer Jayden Licious, he uses the drag platform to bridge a connection between the drag community and families with special needs children. 

It is rare for a priest to be asked to serve two parishes, let alone three, but Father Christopher Droste is that kind of servant leader. He takes great care in getting to know his parishioners and the outside community members in all three parishes, remaining open to discussing changes he is making and creating space for collaboration. While navigating the coronavirus pandemic, he suited up the necessary protective equipment to visit those dying at the hospital so he could administer the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. Fr. Christopher goes above and beyond for the three parishes he serves.

Adriana (AJ) is a loving, caring person who is a wonderful leader and role model for our community. She doesn’t ask for help in doing what she does but it is appreciated when she does receive help. She has passed out food bags to the homeless, organized holiday events for families. She does this all on her own time with help of several volunteers along the way.

David Ernspiger created the non-profit Newburgh Buddy Ball to give the special needs community members the chance to play baseball with their fellows. There is no fee or age limit to participate. Ball players ages 5-70 years old have the chance to enjoy America’s favorite pastime. Always looking for ways to enhance this effort, Dave is seeking to expand the program into Evansville. Because of Dave, Newburgh Buddy Ball players and volunteers of all ages, races, and genders can play baseball and build friendships. Everyone wins! (Unless it rains, of course!)

Lee Griggs is a shining example of servant leadership within our community. She works tirelessly with the downtown community, advocating for the homeless population through the St. Mary’s and John’s churches. Her favorite quote is “never judge someone unless you walk a mile in their shoes,” and she lives by that motto. Lee inspires the community by keeping the church and programming available to everyone who enters their doors. She has a knack for noticing others’ gifts and strengths and helps to place them in the right position to be successful leaders. 

Guillermo Guevara is known by the Evansville Latino Community for his welcoming spirit and warm heart. He founded the Latino Collaboration Table, a not-for-profit that connects thousands of local Latinos with needed services. If a family has just arrived in Evansville or someone needs a bilingual doctor or help with insurance, for example, people are told to “Call Don Guillermo!” He is a model for inclusion, equity, and diversity and is a champion for providing services to marginalized groups and minorities, including the growing Marshallese community.

Angela is a caring and dedicated advocate for the community’s senior volunteers and veterans. As the Program Manager for the Carver Senior Center’s RSVP Program, she connects 100+ senior volunteers with meaningful volunteer and community experiences. During the pandemic, she went on house calls to check on seniors and made baskets for those in need. She ensures veterans are not only acknowledged but also spiritually and physically lifted up through the Carver Center’s veteran program by providing social service connections, volunteer opportunities, and local resources. She is even spearheading a veteran and volunteer program in Posey County to start later in 2022. 

Holly uses her gifts and talents in her role at church and with numerous organizations to encourage and challenge people to connect, learn, and work together toward a common good. A gifted facilitator, she has helped many people navigate and map out their strengths and goals. Holly has dedicated countless hours to better understanding the neighborhood in which she serves by learning about subcultures, relationships, goals, and concerns and approaching each situation in a creative and nonjudgmental manner.

Amy Johnston-Higgs is an amazing community role model who knows how to make good things happen. As a mother of five children, a State Farm agent, and a passionate advocate helping bring $125,000 to local nonprofits like Youth First, Inc., Hangers, and Little Lambs, her chutzpah knows no bounds when it comes to championing children’s health and safety. Amy also helps “Stay-at-Home Moms” get the support they need to re-enter the workforce. She not only provides employment with work-life balance but teaches women skills to earn a good living and care for their families. 

Since Father Gary Kaiser was assigned to St. Joseph Catholic Church & School and St. Bernard Catholic Church, he has been instrumental in working with Catholic Charities to bring the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program to the Princeton area. Neighbor-to-Neighbor is a free, faith-based life skills education program to help families move away from financial dependence on social service agencies and toward self-sufficiency. The program will begin in Gibson County in early 2022. With a willingness to get his hands dirty, Fr. Gary works alongside volunteers to accomplish any task. His example of servant leadership has increased the church’s volunteer base.

A Junior at North Posey High School and an active 4-H member, Reagan Koester excels as a youth leader and lives the 4-H motto to “Make the Best Better.” She raised nearly $3,000 to make 67 “Glam Packs,” which are gifts of toiletries and encouraging items to give to foster children when they are placed in a new home. She helped create an event called Ping Pong for Poverty in which 4-H members donate cans of food to a local food bank as the entry fee to participate in a ping pong tournament. Reagan also delivers ice cream to chemo patients to bring them joy during a difficult time.

Founder of the Evansville African American Museum and Our Times Newspaper, Sondra Matthews lives servant leadership and inspires others to a common vision. For 35 years, she’s delivered the bi-weekly Our Times Newspaper to the community and many states, attending and reporting on local events impacting African Americans, Native Americans, women, and LGBTQIA+ communities. An advocate for aspiring writers, Sondra runs the Soul Writers guild and the Wangari’s Cards and Books bookstore. She is also spearheading a project to offer music history and music education to the Lincoln School community. On top of it all, Sondra is the village sage, providing wise counsel to all who ask her, giving of her time, talent, and treasure to uplift the less fortunate. 

Melissa has long been an advocate and influencer for Evansville, using her radio program to promote and support communities that are often left behind. Most recently she has encouraged COVID-19 immunizations in under-vaccinated communities by making her 50th birthday party, along with Going Forward Beauty Salon, a pop up immunization event. Melissa takes action to provide needed empathetic communication for communities throughout Evansville and beyond.

Cathy Myers creates a culture of collaboration and an environment of hope in all she does. She founded Hope Dot Com Corp (HDC), a centralized resource center in Evansville’s Downtown to help transform people suffering from homelessness, temporary housing, and challenging living situations. To help children living in hotels due to homelessness, Cathy hosts the summer program Camp for Champs. An avid collaborator and includer, Cathy welcomes everyone to help and receive help at HDC. Her dedication to others radiates in how hands on HDC is with the community.

Since 2014, Coach Ed Nottle has helped more than 150 young athletes with physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities participate in the Highland Challenger League Baseball Program. Through Ed’s tireless fundraising activities, no player is ever charged for access to the program. A former Minor League Baseball relief pitcher and manager, Ed is a fierce advocate for every child and encourages participation and collective goodwill amongst all the players. He is a fixture at every Challenger League game, and at 82 years of age, Coach Ed shows no sign of slowing down.

Serving the Evansville area for 50 years, Arlinda Payne passionately helps anyone in need, connecting people to the right organizations and individuals to ensure their needs are met. She serves as president of the Black Nurses of Evansville and Tristate Associates and works with a diverse group of nurses, doctors, law enforcement, etc., who are enthusiastic about helping Evansville’s citizens with their healthcare needs. Arlinda has led several volunteer efforts, including organizing a backpack giveaway program benefitting 600 Evansville children, providing Lincoln Elementary students with hats and gloves for their winter celebration, and raising awareness for the Back the Vax project.

Anyone that knows Jeff Purdue knows his energy, passion, and drive know no bounds, and he’ll stop at nothing to make everything he touches the best it can be! Jeff inspires the community, giving countless hours, energy, and ideas to orgnizations like Granted, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and others, but he also makes an effort to personally encourage and and lift up  those around him. Jeff truly lives by the motto “Be grateful, be kind, be positive, smile, share your talents, and don’t give up!” 

Making sure all students and families feel welcome and valued is at the core of what drives Marietta Rodriguez. As the EVSC ESL Family Coordinator, Marietta engages and supports non-English speaking students and their families by fostering the child’s education and coordinating services and resources to ensure both the students and their families can succeed in our community. Originally from Venezuela, she uses her experience, leadership, and compassion to educate teachers and staff on effective ways to culturally connect with diverse families, helping schools recognize and celebrate their diverse student populations.

An original founder of Women in Faith, Bushra Saqib has facilitated interfaith connections with diverse groups for over three decades. And for nearly 20 years, she has spear-headed the International Food Festival at the Islamic Center of Evansville. She was also instrumental in setting up the free MASIHA Specialty Clinic, which provides high-quality medical care for the uninsured, and she continues to devote volunteer time there. Bushra is passionate about increasing understanding between cultures to inspire harmony among all and regularly welcomes people into her home, serving them her delicious homemade food and creating a space for fellowship.

Owner of Sauced and Schymik’s kitchen, Scott Schymik is an entrepreneur who utilizes his businesses and resources to be a selfless leader. This year, he organized and sponsored Thanksgiving for the Evansville community free of charge. Over 300 people enjoyed a wonderful meal on Thanksgiving because of Scott. He displays the epitome of selfless leadership for the Haynie’s corner neighborhood and community at large, volunteering his time and talents to those in need.

Ben Trockman is a tireless servant leader, seeking ways to ensure those who have physical limitations are given every opportunity to succeed. Having spent over a decade in a wheelchair, he advocates for changes to the workplace and community to support those who have physical mobility, sight, hearing, or other constraints. When people meet him, he goes out of his way to address their concerns and finds a way to tackle local problems head on. As a city councilman, Ben brings a public eye to things that many of us take for granted, engaging all around him to be part of the solution. Anyone who meets Ben is inspired by his positivity and fearlessness.

Patty Vanoven, Executive Director of the Gibson County Chamber of Commerce, is a force in the Gibson County community, guiding the Chamber through an unprecedented time in history with creativity and grace. She pivoted the organization to better serve today’s business community and initiated several strategic and collaborative efforts to modernize the Chamber. Just last year, she formed a partnership between the Gibson County Chamber, Gibson County Economic Development Corporation, and the Gibson County Visitors and Tourism Bureau to maximize each organizations’ resources, and she also built a modern mission, vision, and strategic plan for the Chamber while increasing their membership.

Tyna and Bert Wheat and Monica Owens wanted to find a way to leave their community better than they found it. For years, Bert, Tyna, and Monica found incredible ways to give back to the community, supporting organizations in unique ways. With the Evening of Elegance gift, the winning bidder received $2000 to spend on jewelry and a magnificent dinner with friends. Through a celebration of elegance, their servant leadership has raised thousands of dollars for countless nonprofits.

Senior at North High School and active 4-H member, Kylie Bedel is a stand-out role model for younger kids. As the youth state ambassador for the 4-H council, Kylie has shared her story to encourage others to participate in 4-H. Through the years, she has taught over 340 fourth graders from inner-city Evansville about animal by-products at the annual Ag Days event. When the live event was canceled during COVID-19, she created an educational video that was shared with schools and others in the community. A true advocate of agriculture, she goes above and beyond to share her wealth of knowledge with other 4-H members and the general public.

Dr. Kathy Elpers has been a social work educator at the University of Southern Indiana since 1987. During her 30 plus years, she has guided and mentored countless students, many of whom are now social workers in our community. She is involved in several professional organizations and engages with USI students through service learning, community work, and campus organizations and groups. Kathy is passionate about her students and supports individuals of all ages to live healthy and productive lives.

Mendy Poole, Executive Director of Youth Build, has raised awareness for alternative education needs, mental health needs, and soft skills training for our at-risk community members and Youth Build’s targeted age group. Mendy took a program that was being terminated and sought resources to bring it back to life, creating an outlet for people ages 16-24 to build a better life by completing certifications in GED, OSHA, NCCER (Construction) CNA, IT, Advanced Manufacturing, interview skills, financial literacy and more. She greets everyone with an optimistic attitude, ready to help tackle whatever barrier is holding them back from their full potential.

Jody Robinson’s commitment to the young people of the Southwestern Indiana is evident in everything she does. Through the Workforce Development Board of Region 11, Jody implements the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program and is responsible for nine adults and over 250 youth in the area’s workforce. Jody is also the JAG staff team leader and is constantly recognizing the broader team’s efforts, assisting them in the classroom with enrollments and subbing as needed. She is known as the “glue” of the JAG program across Southwestern Indiana.

Andrea Smith, longtime teacher at Harrison High School, moves mountains to ensure everyone can learn and understand what she is teaching. She treats all of her students the same. No matter their gender, ethnicity, or sexuality, if someone is struggling, Mrs. Smith makes everyone feel safe and comfortable in her class.

Lexi Smith would say she is just a kid, but she is so much more. Born without a right hand, she takes this as just a challenge of growing up, sharing that “If and when there was anything I thought I couldn’t accomplish at first, I found a way and taught myself with my parents encouraging me the whole way.” Lexi has mastered many physical life necessities and become an accomplished athlete. She is an inspiration to her teammates, family, friends, and community.

For more than 55 years, Ken Wempe has served our area’s youth as a teacher, principal, coach and volunteer. Since 2013, he has coached the North High School’s girls golf team, leading them to six state championships in eight years. He continues to volunteer at many community organizations, including Hangers, the EVSC student resource clothing bank. His dedication and commitment have shaped the futures of thousands of young people in our community.

Brian Bohrnstedt is a passionate supporter of US military veterans. His unending efforts work to ensure that veterans feel valued and recognized. As Old National has gone through the stages of a huge integration, Brian has repeatedly vocalized the need to ensure veterans are supported. Brian has combined his passions for veterans and cycling, organizing a cycling group to help engage veterans for fellowship, healthy exercise, and community awareness. His planned ride this year was over 80 miles and when mapped, looked like the American Flag.

Jillian Brothers is dedicated to growing and improving the Posey County community and city of Mount Vernon. In her career as a social worker and therapist, she helps students and faculty deal with a range of mental health issues. She is also As a Willow Tree of Posey County board member, where she advocates for victims of domestic and sexual violence and is working to bring a shelter to Posey County. As a Mount Vernon city council member, she was instrumental in the beautification projects and helped approve a monument to memorialize the four African American men who were lynched in 1878 to build awareness of this dark past and attempt to keep history from repeating itself. 

A graduate of USI, Doug Claybourn has served as a Business Advisor for the Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center since November 2012. Doug draws on his decades of banking experience to help small businesses start and grow. Doug is gifted with helping people think through scenarios and take action, while also being present to help them work through whatever challenges arise. The SBDC and business community is eternally grateful for Doug’s commitment to servant leadership.

Pastor Craig Duke gave hope and love far and wide when he appeared in drag on the Evansville episode of HBO’s We’re Here, which follows famous drag queens as they recruit small-town residents to perform in drag. A father of an LGBTQIA+ daughter and then-pastor of Newburgh United Methodist Church, Pastor Craig shared, “You can’t do a drag show like this in southern Indiana and not offend someone. I’m hoping it’s a bridge for my daughter, for the church I serve, for the denomination I love, and for me.” Although he lost his job at Newburgh UMC after the show aired, Pastor Craig helped countless viewers feel loved by someone in the church for the first time.

Mother Nature has a great advocate in Zach Garcia. In his position with Wesselman Woods, he works to educate the community on how to be better stewards of the environment. His enthusiasm for and commitment to preserving the largest urban old-growth forest in the US knows no bounds. The programs and initiatives Zach has implemented have helped hundreds of children and adults grasp new and difficult environmental concepts and instilled the importance of our local ecosystem and how Wesselman Woods fits into the larger ecosystem. 

Sergeant Matt Karges is a remarkable officer for the Evansville Police Department, going above and beyond to protect his community. He collaborated with the Parks Department to keep these spaces safe for children and families. Having worked closely with victims of domestic violence, he partnered with State Representative Wendy McNamara to pass Senate Bill 79, which provides protective orders to keep victims of domestic violence safe from their abusers. His efforts embody what it means to serve and protect.

Margaret Kimmel is a certified financial planner and Vice President of Investments with Raymond James. She works to ensure her clients are financially smart, stable, and prepared to make wise investments and decisions for life in family and community. She goes above and beyond to get to know the people she works with, from their family life to their personal interests. Margaret is committed to helping her clients achieve their goals no matter who they are and is involved in many community organizations and programs, including ANEW (A Network of Evansville Women).

Born to coffee farmers in Kenya, Africa, Maurice Olwali immigrated to this country for his education and eventually began working at the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library as a customer service worker. Generally quiet by nature, he had an infectious smile and laugh and was the glue that held many groups together. Always showing great pride in his African heritage, he served as a role model to the teens and adults of color who visited his department. Maurice passed away unexpectedly in 2021 and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

Laura Nordine is the School Counselor at Vogel Elementary where she serves over 600 K-6 students. She builds up these children by being a stable, loving presence, teaching students the tools to succeed and grow. Laura is also responsible for collecting and administrating outside community resources to the students and staff, working with various partners such as churches, the Tri-State Food Bank, etc. Laura’s work with Hangers helped the group earn the 2022 $5,000 Rotaract Signature Project Grant. She’s driven to help others, not out of ambition, but in order to see the world become a better place.

In the few years since her move back home, Jaimie Sheth has become a beacon of hope to people throughout Evansville. Through her organization, JD Sheth Foundation, Jaimie has helped marginalized populations locally and across the world, supporting greater access to resources and education to optimize their best functioning, outcomes, and contribution to society. An inspiration to all, Jaimie incorporates respect, dignity, and transparency into all she does by engaging and leading through serving others.

Paula Beck makes everyone around her better. She has spent countless hours volunteering for organizations throughout Evansville and this selfless dedication is ever present in her work life, too. As a Senior Account Manager at Field and Main Insurance, Paula goes above and beyond to help clients navigate the intimidating arena of insurance. Her colleagues know her as a leader worth following—one who opens doors to help others. Paula is dedicated to helping everyone find their voice and get what they need to succeed. 

Janie Chappell has been a fearless leader, educator, and advocate for suicide prevention and mental health awareness. During her career, Janie successfully launched and sustained the CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training with law enforcement, Mental Health First Aid Trainings, Suicide Prevention Coalition, and HOPE Team, a community coalition for responding immediately post-suicide to surviving families and friends. Janie retired in December 2021, and while her shoes will be hard to fill, her impact and legacy will live on in our community through the incredible programs she started.

Dusty Fiester has dedicated her career to supporting those who are undergoing cancer treatments by helping them navigate life after the treatments have stopped. She was integral to bringing Livestrong to Evansville in 2016 and has supported over 150 survivors, helping them to set and meet fitness goals. She encourages, cheerleads, and pushes participants to find their best selves. One of her patients said it best: “She led me to the only thing that has made me feel normal since my diagnosis.” Dusty finds the light in people and brings it out.

Sheila Hauck is a nursing leader and pillar of nursing excellence in our community and state. During her time at Ascension St. Vincent, she has mentored countless nurses and provided immeasurable leadership to nursing quality, oncology services, and palliative care. Her leadership extends into the community through her collaborations with Cancer Pathways Midwest, the American Cancer Society, Komen of Evansville, and the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust. She also established a navigation program for Ascension St. Vincent’s Cancer Program to ensure timely, equitable services across the care continuum for all newly diagnosed cancer patients. 

Dr. Gina Huhnke, Medical Director of Deaconess Emergency Departments, has been instrumental in saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Huhnke has served as the Medical Section Leader for the Deaconess Pandemic Response while practicing in Emergency Departments, teaching students at IUSM–E, and serving as Medical Director for several local EMS services. She has been a liaison, consultant, guide, and champion for local government, health departments, EMS, educators, and skilled nursing facilities in our region. 

Zola Johnson’s mission is to educate and make wellness accessible to all communities. During her free yoga classes in downtown Evansville, everyone is welcome. She’s also introduced the area to Trap Yoga in an effort to reach underserved populations. In partnership with Albion Center, she also created a domestic violence awareness event where survivors shared their stories as others held a candlelit vigil for those who didn’t make it out. All of her events involve helping communities heal, whether by releasing the stress of their day or recovering from major trauma in their lives.

Jacy King helps people feel worthy and deserving by understanding their value, celebrating everyday achievements, and leaving room for people to learn from their mistakes. As a Youth Build case manager, she works with people ages 16-24 looking to build a better life by completing certifications in GED, OSHA, NCCER (Construction) CNA, IT, Advanced Manufacturing, interview skills, financial literacy and more. Not only does she work with the courts to identify candidates for the program, her mentorship and coaching have helped students make positive choices in their lives. 

A Pharmacist at Ascension St. Vincent’s Epworth Crossing Pharmacy, Kelly Paul is dedicated to meeting the needs of the people in the community. She devoted countless hours to organizing and refining the Ascension COVID Vaccine Clinic operations. Because of Kelly’s can-do attitude and exemplary servant leader mindset, the clinics not only ran as smoothly as possible, but also had a positive, family environment where volunteers felt a part of the Ascension team. Kelly also came up with a curbside pickup system so patients had a safe way to retrieve their prescriptions during the pandemic. No matter the situation, Kelly finds a solution centered on the patient’s needs.

After retiring from a four-decade career in corporate communications, Timothy Weir was just starting as the Administrator of the Commission on Homelessness when the pandemic struck. This “volunteer role” quickly became a full-time endeavor. Under Timothy’s leadership, the Commission developed and deployed innovative solutions to protect the health facilities and their residents, including the creation of the Evansville Independent Self Isolation Center to provide a respite for those experiencing homelessness and COVID-19, as well as a mobile vaccine clinic . His work ensured that individuals experiencing homelessness received life saving healthcare intervention and vaccinations.