Allison Barber is a Red Cross Greater Indianapolis Chapter board member, Tiffany Circle member and volunteer. This week, Allison reached a new milestone in her career when the Indiana Chamber of Commerce awarded her its Business Leader of the Year. As she celebrated this achievement, Allison took time to reflect on her journey with the Red Cross.
“It’s so humbling to be recognized by the Indiana Chamber and it’s humbling because I didn’t get here alone,” said Allison. “There are so many people within the Red Cross and within other organizations and businesses in the city that helped me accomplish big ideas and big goals. The Red Cross has been side by side with me this whole journey, and I’m grateful.”
Allison has been involved with the Indiana Region Red Cross for many years, but her connection to the Red Cross began when she was a teenager.
“I started my Red Cross journey when I was 16 years old in Merrillville, Indiana, and I wanted to be a lifeguard,” said Allison. “The Red Cross provided all the training for me to become a lifeguard, and I have been a Red Crosser ever since then.”
Allison says getting involved with the Red Cross is a great way to make an impact.
“One of the things I learned from the Red Cross at a very early age is everybody can do something. The Red Cross is shoulder to shoulder with neighbors and I don’t think anybody ever said that to me out loud when I worked with the Red Cross, volunteered with the Red Cross, but I sure caught the bug. I really became a believer that the best of the Red Cross is in each one of us and how we take care of each other.”
Allison says she is proud of her time with the Red Cross.
“As I look back at my decades with the American Red Cross, I would hope people would say, ‘There’s somebody who really believed in the mission of the Red Cross, helping to alleviate human suffering, what a mission to be a part of. There’s somebody who when the Red Cross needed help, raised her hand and chipped in and helped out wherever she could,” said Allison.
Congratulations on your recognition as the Business Leader of the Year, Allison! We’re grateful to be a part of your journey. Thank you for your dedication to the Red Cross lifesaving mission.
Written by Janie Bohlmann, regional communications manager.