Ava Williams
Osteoarthritis & Osteopenia Arthritis
Adult Honoree
 Ava Williams a native of Chicago and a 14-year resident of Indianapolis, is an active leader in the community. She is a technology graduate of Purdue University, and she has spent many years shaping young minds in education as an Elementary School Teacher. Working with underserved children, grades K – 5, who struggled below their grade levels, and volunteering with several after-school programs as a mentor & tutor, Ava realized the disparities in equitable access to education and technology. She started a business, to partner with other organizations to address these issues and provide training & resources to under-funded communities. Ten years ago, after a serious knee injury, Ava was diagnosed with osteoarthritis & osteopenia, which affected her work in the classroom. She transitioned from the classroom into her passion for the performing arts and social justice. She now serves on the Board of Directors for Horizons Indy and focuses on her health, writing, doing research on cultural & historical projects, and community activism. When she’s not out organizing or engaging in her community, Ava likes to travel and spend time with her husband of 30 years, Rev. Brian Williams and her two fur-babies, Roscoe & Chewie. Ava joined the Arthritis Foundation in 2023 as a Community Volunteer for Indiana to bring awareness about the disease to her community and to educate others. Over the years, she has witnessed many people suffer from the pain of inflammation & other debilitating symptoms because of lack of medical information or resources. Ava hopes to inspire others to get involved & advocate for their healthcare needs and to make a difference in their communities. She received the Indiana Arthritis Foundation Early Influencer Award, and this will be her second year as a Jingle Bell Run participant.
To join or support Ava, please visit her fundraising page today! |
Nick currently leads the Business Development team for Garmong Construction’s Indianapolis office. He has a focus on K12, Higher Education, and Municipal projects, as well as the strategic directions his department takes. Nick has served on several boards over the years and is currently on the boards of Overdose Lifeline, The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Butler University’s Central Indiana Alumni Community, Butler University’s Athletic Department’s Tip Off Dinner Committee, as well as a member of the 2026 Final Four Committee for the Indiana Sports Corp. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Butler University and is a graduate of the Indiana Leadership Forum (2023) and the Stanley K Lacy Executive Leadership Program Class 47.
Jim is a distinguished leader, skilled communicator, and consensus builder with both local and global influence. Recognized for his civic and business contributions, he has led numerous landmark architectural projects and driven significant economic growth as Indiana’s Secretary of Commerce under Governor Holcomb. Currently, as the President of Architecture 2.0, Jim is providing consulting services for architectural and economic development projects. He has served on multiple boards, holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Notre Dame, and has received numerous awards, including Indiana's highest civilian honor, the Sagamore of the Wabash.
Dr. Erica Fisk received her Bachelor of Science degree in physiology from Ohio State University in 2004. In 2010, she earned her Doctor of Medicine from the Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Fisk completed her residency in orthopedic surgery at Ohio State University from 2010 to 2015. She completed a foot and ankle fellowship at Harvard University in July 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. Since completing her fellowship, Dr. Fisk has worked as a foot and ankle surgeon in Los Gatos, California. Dr. Fisk is an active member of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. She is also a member of the Ruth Jackson Society, which promotes professional development for women in orthopedics. Dr. Fisk treats a wide range of foot and ankle conditions and injuries, including complex foot and ankle pathology, arthritis, fracture management, sports injuries, deformity, wound care and orthopedic trauma. She is also fluent in conversational Spanish.
“When I was ten years old, I was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. While it can make it hurt to walk, I can still do things that I enjoy. I dance ballet, play the piano, and stay very active despite my arthritis. I have had to struggle through several years of tests, treatments, medicines, and more medical appointments than I would ever want to count. Some of those medicines did not work well for me. Others had side effects worse than my arthritis itself. I am fundraising to fund research that I hope will help kids like me in the future.” - Violet