Annual Meeting Awards

Billy & Ethel Heller Award

This award is a special recognition to Billy and Ethel Heller who were prominent contributors to the Milwaukee community in both their professional and personal lives.

The purpose of the Billy & Ethel Heller Award is to foster and promote voluntary community service to United Way and its agencies. Annually, the Board of Directors selects an individual, family, or family foundation that best epitomizes outstanding service to the community and leadership in financial support of United Way, including service to one or more of United Way’s funded agencies.

Gwen T. Jackson Community Service Award

The Gwen T. Jackson Community Service award was established in 1981 and is presented annually to the United Way volunteer who best exemplifies a spirit of volunteerism and dedication to one’s community.

John A. Puelicher Award

The John A. Puelicher Award recognizes the achievements of an outstanding Loaned Executive in honor of John A. Puelicher.

Jack Puelicher gave generously of both his time and charitable dollars to United Way and other civic and cultural institutions.  He served as the 1963 United Way Campaign Chair and as a member of the Board of Directors from 1955 to 1963.

Linda McFerrin African American Nonprofit Leadership Award

The Linda McFerrin African American Nonprofit Leadership Award was established in 2018 by United Way’s Board Chair Cory Nettles and his wife Michelle Nettles. The award recognizes an outstanding African American nonprofit executive who has provided exemplary leadership in the community.

Like Linda, individuals honored through this award have made extraordinary strides in leadership, volunteerism, mentoring, and philanthropy in greater Milwaukee and Waukesha’s nonprofit community. Award winners are publicly announced on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and recognized at United Way’s Annual Meeting, which is held in February.