November 30, 2022
Media Contact: Jackson Gutierrez, Engagement Manager
909.851.7690 | jackson@elevateindy.org 

Elevate Indianapolis Announces the Appointment of a New Board of Directors Chairman. 
Founding Board Chairman transitions position to Arsenal Tech graduate to bring fresh vision and life into the organization.  

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Elevate Indianapolis is announcing the transition of current board chairman Mr. Steve Cosler to board member Mr. Vincent Ash Jr. Effective January 1, 2023. 

Steve Cosler is Elevate Indianapolis’ founding board chairman, serving in this role since 2015. In his tenure, he has been able to help grow Elevate Indy from an idea based on a proven model into a thriving life-changing nonprofit organization. Through his board leadership, Elevate has been able to serve over 2,000 students across 6 schools in Indianapolis and see over 3,400 character and life-skills classes taught since 2015.  
 
Regarding this leadership transition Steve shared, “Vince Ash is one of the dynamic young leaders in Indianapolis and I am most pleased he is succeeding me as the Chair of Elevate Indy.  As a graduate of Arsenal Tech High School, he has a true passion for the students we serve and will do a great job leading the board and Elevate Indy to our next phase of growth.” 
 
Vincent Ash Jr. has served on the Elevate Indy Board of Directors since 2020. In his time as a board member, he has served on the development committee as well as served as a voice of the business community in the city. Vincent’s passions are in seeing the city of Indianapolis become a place where communities of all backgrounds can thrive and contribute to the future of our city and state. 

About the transition Vince remarks, “I am looking forward to serving as Board Chair for Elevate Indianapolis. Mentorship is a passion of mine and Elevate is making a tremendous impact on youth throughout the city mentoring through personal connections, holistic guidance and professional career planning. Elevate would not be in the successful position it is in today without the leadership of the founding board members and Board Chair, Steve Cosler. Under Steve’s leadership Elevate has experienced significant growth and is now positioned to impact 1,000 students this year. I am grateful for Steve’s continued mentorship for myself and support for Elevate both locally and nationally.” 

“For the class of 2022 we recently celebrated another 100% graduation rate of Elevate students. The Board of Directors for Elevate Indianapolis continues to be under great leadership for the season ahead!” shared Aaron Story, President & CEO of Elevate Indy.  
 
As Steve steps down as board chairman he will remain an active board member and plans on providing leadership to the development committee and offering mentorship to other board members that serve Elevate. Vince will bring a fresh and new vision to help take Elevate into the next season as an organization.  

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About Mr. Vincent Ash Jr. 
As Vice President of Development for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Vincent is charged with is charged with helping the IEDC grow the state economy, drive economic development, and help businesses launch, grow and locate in Indiana. He formerly served as Director of Indianapolis Economic Development at the Indy Chamber. A native of Indianapolis and a graduate of Arsenal Tech High School, Vincent is passionate about the city and economic development. Vincent graduated from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and is currently enrolled at the University of Southern California in their Executive Masters program with a focus on city/urban, community, and regional planning. He loves staying involved with the community and serves on the board of The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis, Intend Indiana and Urban Land Institute Indiana. As a resident of Indianapolis, in his free time, Vincent loves attending concerts, sporting events, and game nights with his wife Ashanti and two kids, daughter Noelle and son Grayson. 

About Elevate Indianapolis 
Elevate Indianapolis, Inc. builds long-term, life-changing relationships with Indianapolis urban youth, equipping them to thrive and contribute to their community. They do this missional work with 4th through 12th graders and program alumni using a model developed 40 years ago in Denver, Colorado that is currently used in 17 cities across America through the Elevate USA network of affiliates. This program includes four key elements: Accredited Classes in character & life skills during the school day and three types of after-school mentoring with students–Pathways to Purpose college & career programming, “life on life” mentoring, and Sports & Adventure programming, executed by a staff of full-time Teacher-Mentors who are representative of the students we serve. Our Teacher-Mentors spend half their time with students during the school day and half their time with them after school in a 24/7/365 relational mentoring model where they are accessible to students on a personal basis. In the 2021-22 program year, Elevate Indianapolis served over 700 students and recent graduates of five Indianapolis Public Schools. To learn more about the impact of Elevate Indy, please visit impact.elevateindy.org.