Center for Leadership Development honors Sean Cole for community contributions
Contact:
Beth King, APR, Media Relations Manager
(317) 285-4168 or beth.king@oneamerica.com
For Immediate Release:
Indianapolis (March 27, 2009) – The Center for Leadership Development has honored OneAmerica Financial Partners Assistant Vice President of Corporate Support Services Sean Cole with its Neighborhood and Community Service Award.
An annual honor, the award recognizes individuals for servant-leadership, volunteerism and community activism, pillars Cole has demonstrated thoroughly in his work with various nonprofit organizations, including the United Way of Central Indiana and the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
As OneAmerica’s 2008 United Way of Central Indiana campaign chairman, Cole faced the task of raising funds and awareness during a climate of profound economic unrest. Essentially, he had to do more with less. With no budget, Cole booked himself into the lineup of team meetings across the organization to discuss the importance of living a generous life. Additionally, he and a team of volunteers developed a brochure and commercial that aired on the company’s digital display network, featuring employees, which discussed giving. Amazingly, employees contributed more than $266,000 that was matched by the company, totaling $514,231. As a result, OneAmerica was honored as a top 12 financial contributor and a Company that Cares winner for making exceptional commitments toward running a successful workplace campaign.
“We’re very proud of Sean and all that he has achieved,” said Vicki Yamasaki, vice president of strategic planning and Cole’s boss. “Ask anyone who knows Sean and they will tell you true leaders can’t help but be inspirational. For Sean, his passion for service to others, his deep belief in betterment through simple, hard work, his drive to push himself to the next level and bring others with him all serve to distinguish him.”
As a lifetime member of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Cole has served his community through outreach in many ways. From his role as an outspoken youth leader within Bishop Henry Williamson’s “Push for Excellence” program in the 1980’s, to his guidance of the music program at Phillips Memorial Christian Methodist Church in Cincinnati where his wife serves as the pastor, to the advocacy of a summer camp experience for disadvantaged kids, to the tutoring in math and science that he does with Indianapolis Public Schools students as well as reading tutoring to fourth graders through the United Way’s “Read Up” program and performing with the Indianapolis Opera Company, Cole believes in “coveralls” leadership. Where there is need, he steps in and works with rolled sleeves.
“I am so honored to be recognized by the Center for Leadership Development for my community contributions,” Cole said. “I made an early commitment to give back in ways I could, as I could.”
About OneAmerica
OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc., is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN. The companies of OneAmerica® can trace their solid foundations back more than 130 years in the insurance and financial services marketplace.
OneAmerica’s nationwide network of companies offers a variety of products to serve the financial needs of their policyholders and other clients. These products include retirement plans, products and services; individual life insurance, annuities, long-term care solutions and employee benefits. The goal of OneAmerica is to blend the strengths of each company to achieve greater collective results.
The products of the OneAmerica companies are distributed through a network of employees, agents, brokers, and other distribution sources that are committed to maximizing value to our policyholders by helping them plan to meet their financial goals.
We deliver on our promises when customers need us most.
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