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Indianapolis (September 10,
2018)—First Lady Janet Holcomb, Torchbearer Awards Honorary Chair, and the
Board of Commissioners of the Indiana Commission for Women (ICW) will honor
twelve extraordinary women at this year’s annual Torchbearer Awards
Ceremony on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at 5:00 PM at the Indiana Historical
Society, 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis. Admission is free; however,
guests should register to attend at https://2018torchbearerawards.eventbrite.com.
This prestigious award recognizes women from around
the state who have broken down barriers, overcome obstacles to women’s full
participation, and have made Indiana a better place to live, work and raise a
family.
“This year’s list of nominees is impressive,” said Chair
of ICW Board of Commissioners, Melissa Cotterill. “They have all made
significant contributions to the state and to their communities; and we are
excited to be recognizing them.”
This year’s Recipients are (brief bios below):
- Dr. Kristina Box (Indianapolis), Indiana State Health Commissioner
- Judy Brown (Hillsdale), American Legion
- Tammy Butler Robinson (McCordsville), Engaging Solutions
- Melinda Clark (Salem), St. Vincent Medical Group
- Sarah Demmon (Fishers), Eli Lilly and Company
- Brenda Gerber Vincent (Fort Wayne), Lifeline, Crosswinds, Lasting Change
- Major Nila Miller-Cronk (Indianapolis), Indiana State Police
- Jennifer Pope Baker (Carmel), Women’s Fund of Central Indiana
- Rupal Thanawala (Indianapolis), Trident Systems, Inc.
- Kendra Vanzo (Evansville) Old National Bank
- Tina Walters (Fort Wayne), Fort Wayne Smallest Winner
- Donna Zimmerman (Evansville), Ivy Tech Community College
Preceding the Ceremony, ICW will also be hosting
a Paid Family Leave Symposium to release its research on the public’s
receptiveness to paid family leave in Indiana. For more information about that
event, go to: https://www.in.gov/icw/2439.htm.
For more information, contact Kristin Garvey, Executive Director at 317/232/-6720 or info@icw.in.gov.
Brief Bios of 2018 Torchbearer Awards Recipients
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Kristina Box, MD, Indiana State Health Commissioner, Indiana State Department of Health: In 2017, Kristina Box, MD, FACOG was appointed by Governor Eric J. Holcomb as the Indiana State Health Commissioner. As Commissioner, she directs and manages the Indiana State Department of Health, which is responsible for providing quality healthcare for all Hoosiers to ensure a healthier and safer Indiana.
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Judy Brown, Legislative Chairperson, American Legion: Judy started work young and is a two time Army Veteran. Judy served in the 1990’s and again after 9/11 and was designated a female combat veteran. Although her service was cut short by injury, Judy continues to serve in her local community, serving veterans and at the Indiana State House and advocating to Congress on behalf of her brothers and sisters who serve.
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Tammy Butler Robinson, Managing Principal, Engaging Solutions: She is Managing Principal with Engaging Solutions and has successfully led the company’s call center and co-managed the firm’s planning and community outreach sector. Prior to that, Tammy spent over a decade in State government as a fiscal analyst for the Indiana House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee. She was Assistant Director of the Indiana State Budget Agency; Director of Claims Management for the Family and Social Services Agency; and Data Director for the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning. She is the Immediate Past President of NAWBO-Indy.
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Melinda Clark, Nurse Practitioner, Campbellsburg Clinic: Melinda began her career as a Nurse’s aide, while working her way up to a Nurse Practitioner. When she realized there was no clinic in Salem, the small town where she lived, she began her own clinic.
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Sarah Demmon, Senior Research Scientist, Eli Lilly and Company: Coach for Indy Surviveoars, Indiana’s only Dragon Boat Team for Breast Cancer Survivors; published author of Thanks for the Mammaries: A Breast Cancer Survivor Story.
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Brenda Gerber Vincent, Chief Development Officer, Lifeline, Crosswinds, Lasting Change: Currently serves on the board of governors of the Richard G. Lugar Leadership Series and is a pioneer in the world of mental health. She is the Co-Founder of the Fort Wayne Carriage House, a “clubhouse” model facility that serves over 1600 members of her community who struggle with severe mental illness.
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Major Nila Miller-Cronk, Major, Indiana State Police: Nila began her career in law enforcement during the mid-1980s and graduated from the 44th Recruit Academy Class as one of only four female recruits.
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Jennifer Pope Baker, Executive Director, Women’s Fund of Central Indiana: Jennifer has been the executive director of the Women’s Fund since 1998 and under her leadership, the Women’s Fund has become an expert in women’s issues in central Indiana.
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Rupal Thanawala, Senior Managing Director, Trident Services: Rupal is engaged in multiple community and corporate organizations to promote Youth and Women Empowerment, Diversity & Inclusion, STEM Educations and Healthcare Awareness.
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Kendra Vanzo, EVP, Associate Engagement & Integration, Old National Bank: Kendra Vanzo is EVP, Associate Engagement and Integration for Old National Bancorp (ONB). She has managed Old National’s Human Resources department since 2010 and was named the Ogletree Deakins Human Resources Professional of the Year in 2017.
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Tina Walters, Founder, Fort Wayne’s Smallest Winner: Tina started Ft. Wayne’s Smallest Winner to combat obesity in her community. She works with women who may otherwise not be able to afford help needed to lose weight and live healthier lives.
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Donna Zimmerman, Asst. Professor/Program Chair Advanced Automation and Robotics: As an Engineer herself, Donna is a visible example of what these girls might become. She spends every day in her lab and/or within the community teaching women of all ages the skills needed to successfully compete within this sector.
About the Indiana Commission for Women
The Indiana Commission for
Women is committed to the full participation of women in all aspects of society
in order to live, work and raise a family. ICW works to move Indiana women forward
by understanding the needs of Indiana women and their families and by working
strategically both within government and in our communities to help bring about
positive solutions. We act as the voice of women, communicating their needs and concerns as well as their successes
and contributions, so that they can
become better connected to their communities and to the tools, resources and
opportunities needed to find their own voice. For more information, go to: www.in.gov/icw.
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