Recorder Media Group celebrates 20 years of impact with its 2027 Champions of Impact awards
Recorder Media Group has announced the honorees for the 20th Annual Champions of Impact Awards, marking two decades of recognizing individuals and organizations whose leadership, service, innovation and commitment have strengthened communities across Indiana and beyond.
Since 2007, Champions of Impact has recognized leaders and organizations creating meaningful and lasting change across business, education, health, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, culture, community development and other areas that shape the lives of Hoosiers.
Presented by Recorder Media Group and the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, the awards reflect the Recorder’s longstanding commitment to documenting the people, institutions and ideas that move communities forward.
“Twenty years of Champions represents much more than an anniversary,” said Robert Shegog, President and CEO of Recorder Media Group. “It represents two decades of celebrating people who chose to lead, serve, build and create opportunities for others. When you look at this year’s class, you see business leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, advocates, innovators and organizations addressing some of the most important issues facing our communities. Their work reminds us that a title does not define impact. Impact is defined by what changes because you were willing to lead.”
2027 Champions of Impact honorees
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award: Jamal L. Smith, Executive Director, Indy Health District, Inc.
Rosa Parks Trailblazer Award: Myra Selby, Partner, Ice Miller
William G. Mays Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award: James Poore and Pamela Poore, Owners and Operators, The Poore Foundation
Amos Brown Community Advocate Award: Jimmie L. McMillian, Vice President and Senior Corporate Counsel, Penske Entertainment
Lifetime Education Achievement Award: Shawn A. Smith, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools, Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township
President’s Choice Award: Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Indy Chamber
Visionary Leader Award: Rafael A. Sanchez, EVP, Chief Government and Corporate Affairs Officer and Indianapolis Market President, Old National Bank
Impact Leadership Award: Daniel J. Elsener, President, Marian University
Legacy Award: Edna Martin Christian Center
Breaking Barriers Award: Evelyn Magley, CEO, The Basketball League/Basketball Super League
Master of Finance Award: Migual Patterson, President and CEO, Lampco Federal Credit Union
Transformational Change Award: Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis
Excellence in Impact Award: Denell Howard, Founder and Executive Director, Evolve International, Inc.
Leadership in Action Award: Adrienne D. Sims, PsyD., Chief Human Resources Officer, Indiana University Health
Civic Engagement Award: David B. Girton, Founder and CEO, The Indiana Project
Emerging Leader of Impact Award: Shellie Vernon, VP, Senior Business Consultant, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Community Empowerment Award: Managed Health Services (MHS)
Distinguished Business Achiever Award: Alan Henderson, CEO, Henderson Spirits Group
Bridge to Impact Award: Cynthia Cardona, Vice President, Social Impact, Eli Lilly and Company and President, Lilly Foundation
Trailblazer Leadership Award: Linh C. Nguyen, Vice President for Equity, Culture, and Talent, Lumina Foundation
Social Innovation Mastermind Award: Brian Brackeen, Managing Partner, Lightship Capital; and Candice Matthews Brackeen, Founder and CEO, Lightship Foundation
Voice of Culture Award: Promised Land as Proving Ground at Conner Prairie
Rising Star of Excellence Award: Lauren James, Executive Director, Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation
Changemaker Award: Marlin Jackson, Founder and CEO, Fight for Life Foundation
Empowerment Service Award: Heartland Church
Community Impact Award: Sharla Osuna Rios, Vice President and Community Development Officer, The National Bank of Indianapolis
Voice of Hope Award: Aaron Green, CEO, Struggle Made Us
Attend the awards dinner
The 2027 honorees will be formally recognized during the 20th Annual Champions of Impact Awards Dinner on Friday, Jan. 15, 2027, at the JW Marriott Indianapolis. The celebration begins with a networking reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards program at 6:30 p.m. For sponsorship opportunities, table and individual tickets, please contact ChampionsofImpact@IndyRecorder.com or 317-924-5143.
Celebrating 20 years of impact
The 2027 celebration marks a significant milestone for Recorder Media Group. Since 2007, the Champions of Impact awards have provided a platform to recognize leaders whose contributions span different industries but share a common thread: creating opportunities and leaving communities stronger than they found them.
This year’s honorees represent that breadth, from civil rights and education to healthcare, banking, entrepreneurship, technology, philanthropy, workforce development, culture and community service.
“As we celebrate 20 years, I want us to remember why the Recorder created this platform in the first place,” Shegog said. “Our responsibility as a media organization is not only to report what happens in our communities. We also have a responsibility to document the people shaping their own future. Twenty years from now, someone should be able to look back at these names and understand who was doing the work, who was opening doors and who was willing to make a difference.”
Shegog added that the milestone anniversary is also an opportunity to look forward. “This is not simply about celebrating what has already been accomplished,” he said. “It is about challenging all of us to think about what comes next. Every honoree in this class demonstrates that one person, one organization or one idea can create a ripple that reaches far beyond where it started. That is the spirit of Champions of Impact.”
