Crystal Melcher Honored with Enterprising Women Award from Local Publication

NEW ALBANY, Ind. – Crystal Melcher, the Vice President of Community Philanthropy for the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana, has been named a 2026 Enterprising Women Award honoree.

The program, hosted by Louisville Business First’s Business Women First, recognizes professional women who are making a meaningful difference in both business and the community. Honorees are selected based on demonstrated excellence in leadership, civic engagement, business management, mentoring, volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Melcher’s selection reflects more than a decade of transformational leadership in Southern Indiana. Over her 14-year tenure with the Foundation, she has helped guide more than $59.6 million in grants and scholarships, including over $7 million awarded to more than 1,650 students. Her work has strengthened the Foundation’s strategic approach to grantmaking, ensuring that investments are data-informed, community-centered, and responsive to evolving needs.

In addition to overseeing grantmaking, Melcher has led several major community research initiatives and helped build cross-sector partnerships that address critical regional challenges, including housing affordability, nonprofit sustainability, and access to essential services. She has also mentored more than 150 students through the Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council, helping cultivate the next generation of philanthropic leaders.

“Crystal’s leadership has had a profound and lasting impact on our community,” said Linda Speed, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana and a 2024 Enterprising Women Award honoree. “Her ability to connect vision with action has resulted in millions of dollars being invested where they matter most – expanding opportunity, strengthening nonprofits, and improving quality of life across our region.”

Melcher, along with 24 other honorees, will be recognized at an awards event on Tuesday, May 12. The 2026 Enterprising Women honorees will also be featured in the May 15–21 edition of Louisville Business First and online that same week.

Nominees for the award must live and work in the greater Louisville region, including Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, or Shelby counties in Kentucky, and Clark, Floyd, or Harrison counties in Indiana. Honorees are selected through an independent editorial review process, with final decisions based solely on professional achievements and contributions to their organizations and communities.

The complete 2026 honorees are:

• Sarah Bhatia, director of AI product innovation, Slingshot
• Sara Blackmer, senior partner, Solyco Capital; CEO, Fluid Logic, a Solyco Portfolio Co.
• Kelley Bright, Kentucky and Tennessee office leader, Mercer, a Marsh Business
• Shannon Budnick, executive vice president, director of wealth management and trust group, Stock Yards Bank & Trust
• Raina Chandiramani, owner/founder, Louisville Orthodontics
• Deidra Collins, owner, president, The Wall Street Suites
• Diana Curran, vice president of people operations, VitalLink
• Gigi DaDan, general manager, Angel’s Envy (Bacardi Limited)
• Kathie Davis, executive director, Sacred Heart School for the Arts
• Libby Gray, managing partner, Gray Ice Higdon
• Ashby Green, sergeant, Louisville Fire Department/Louisville Metro Government
• Holly Hartman, owner/founder, The WO Network/Pop Agency/Collab Code
• Carrie Jewkes, manager of global consumer connection, Chevron
• Anne Lancaster, vice president, chief officer, innovation and strategy, American Printing House for the Blind
• Crystal Melcher, vice president of community philanthropy, Community Foundation of Southern Indiana
• Lauren Muir, co-owner, Martin and Muir Counseling
• Holly Prather, chief operations officer, Leadership Louisville Center
• Erin Rasinen, vice president of business development, Messer Construction Co.
• Camilla Schroeder, president and CEO, Advanced Ready Mix
• Anne Shadle, co-owner and general manager, Mayan Cafe
• Lisa Stephens, senior vice president, chief operating officer insurance segment, Humana Inc.
• Keisha Stevenson, head of operations, Farm Credit Mid-America | Rural 1st
• Elizabeth Strojan, executive director, Louisville Metro Housing Authority
• Samantha Wagner, chief administrative officer, Advantum Health