This year’s Ollin Women’s International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration honored an inspiring group of women whose lives reflect the heart and future of philanthropy. While their paths are diverse, each honoree demonstrates the powerful ways women give back through the “5 Ts” of philanthropy identified by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy: Time, Talent, Treasure, Ties, and Testimony.
What these remarkable women share is a deep commitment to using their gifts in service to others. Through healthcare, education, the arts, advocacy, and community leadership, they each bring compassion and purpose to the work of strengthening their communities.
For some, philanthropy grows directly from their professional callings. Dr. Humeraa Qamar, a respected pediatrician and medical leader, extends her care far beyond the clinic by advocating for children and families through healthcare, cultural engagement, and interfaith dialogue. Joanne Cornell Ohlman, PhD, a clinical child psychologist, has spent nearly four decades helping children and families thrive while also using art as a pathway for healing and community connection through Art4All and Arts in Health Ocala Metro.
Others have turned personal experience into transformative service. Maria Roman, inspired by her son Jasper, founded Champion for Champions to create opportunities and visibility for individuals with special needs. Pinkie Tuggerson transformed the grief of losing her daughter Whitney into purpose by founding I Am My Sister’s Keeper and the Whitney Taylor Foundation, empowering and supporting women and single mothers in her community.
Leadership and generosity also show up through intentional community investment. Grace Dunlevy, alongside her husband Bob Levenson, has long supported organizations that advance healthcare, veteran services, education, and medical research. Lisa Irwin, founder of The LILAC Foundation, focuses her philanthropic work on advancing arts in health, supporting women and girls, and expanding access to opportunities in arts, wellness, and education. Angie Lewis, a local business leader celebrating 20 years serving the community through her State Farm agency, consistently gives back by supporting local arts, education, and community initiatives.
Service rooted in faith and advocacy is also represented among this year’s honorees. Mary Delancey, after a distinguished career in hospital administration, continues her mission of service through global outreach and local anti trafficking advocacy, working to raise awareness and protect vulnerable populations.
Finally, Joyce Urban, a licensed mental health counselor, exemplifies the gift of time and talent through decades of support for youth and families, mentoring students, volunteering in community programs, and supporting local arts and charitable initiatives.
What makes these women unique is the way their personal journeys shape their generosity. Yet what unites them is even more powerful: a shared belief that communities grow stronger when we invest in one another.
Together, these honorees remind us that philanthropy is not only about giving. It is about compassion, leadership, and the courage to use one’s life to make the world better for others.
Best,
Manal
