Community, commitment, career, and continued learning are woven into every aspect of the fellow experience. Fellows are surrounded by a vibrant peer community and alumni network, committed to two-years of fellowship programing while full-time paid employees immersed in high-growth environments and dedicated to personal and professional development.
At the conclusion of their two-year experience together, four fellows are selected for embodying the very values Orr Fellowship holds. Lucy Wehlage (Community), Annah Van Gheem (Commitment), Mariah Parsons (Career), and Erin Crowther (Continued Learning) are a testament to the high quality, high achieving young professionals and individuals Orr Fellowship fosters.
As our latest group of Orr Fellows start their personal and professional journey and we begin the search for the next class, we asked the award winners to reflect on their Orr Fellowship journey. From what the award meant to them to the most impactful Orr experience to advice for young professionals, these remarkable alumni share it all below:
Lucy Wehlage
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana University Bloomington
Biology
The Heritage Group, Rotational Program & Development Specialist, Early-in-Career Talent
Community: Awarded for being a pillar of connection and creating intentional relationships in Orr and the Indianapolis community
What does the Community Award mean to you?
Words can’t begin to describe the gratitude I have for these people and this organization. This beautiful, wonderful, hilarious, heart-warming, passionate, motivating community we have in Orr Fellowship is unlike anything I’ve ever been apart of. We’ve learned, we’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve grown. One of my favorite quotes is, “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little ‘extra’“. Thank you Orr Fellowship community, for being that “little extra” that makes each day better. Thank you all for caring about each other, for being vulnerable, and for being the best listeners. Cheers to the next chapter!
What about Orr encouraged you to apply?
As a senior at IU, I was so intrigued with Orr Fellowship because of the two aspects of community and continued learning. College is full of built-in communities: people in your classes, your extracurriculars, your job, etc. But leaving college and leaving those built-in communities can feel lonely. Having yet another BUILT-IN community through Orr Fellowship was so comforting to me amidst the huge life transition of graduating from college and starting my first full-time job. To have a network of hard-working individuals who could motivate, encourage, and understand what I was going through was so important for me. I also love to learn and the continued learning/professional development opportunities intrigued me to apply.
After two years, what does Orr mean to you now? How has Orr lived up to or exceeded what you initially expected?
Orr means so much to me. After two jam-packed years, I can confidently say I have grown immensely both professionally and personally. To me, what really made Orr so wonderful over the past two years was the people and the community it fostered. Orr Fellows are dedicated; they are continuously trying to be better, trying to make a difference; yet, they are also incredibly empathetic and understanding; they are passionate, loyal, and caring. When I started Orr two years ago, I expected to have a job that I would work hard in and be surrounded by people who also want to do their best. What I did not expect was to find the strength in community Orr Fellows bring to each other and to the Indianapolis area. And for that, I am so grateful.
What opportunities through Orr have you found most impactful?
For me personally, the post impactful moments in Orr Fellowship were the morning donut buddies & coffees, the overnight retreats in cabins, and onboarding day for the new Orr Fellows. For me, community is so important. Orr is intentional about fostering this strong sense of community, through these random coffee meet-ups and overnight retreats. Orr Fellows become great listeners.
How has Orr impacted your post-grad career and the transition from college?
Orr has completely shaped the beginning trajectory of my post-grad career. As a biology major with very limited business background, I was terrified of the transition after college. Orr Fellowship helped me find my strengths and weakness, identify work cultures that I do and do not want to be apart of, and above all, grow into someone I am proud of being. Orr gave me the space to try, make mistakes, and try again. It enabled me to make the right decision, even when it was a hard one. Orr provided a network of fantastic companies and even better people, fellows, and alumni. Orr gave me so much. I just had to be willing to take it.
What advice do you have for current and future fellows?
BE CURIOUS. Ask questions. Grab that coffee. Lean into the uncomfortable. Remember your values and what is important to YOU. Don’t let someone take that away from you. Most important – lean into your Orr community. These people genuinely care about you and your wellbeing.
Any parting words for the fellowship?
Thank you Orr Fellowship for taking a bet on me. I am infinitely grateful for all the learnings, all the lessons, all the laughs. Forever grateful for the emphasis on Community, Commitment, Continued Learning, and Career. Onto the next chapter!
Annah Van Gheem
Green Bay, WI
Butler University
Statistics and Actuarial Science
Robert Dietrick Company, Digital Product Manager
Commitment: Awarded for committing to career development and making great strides over these past two years to grow as a professional
What does the Commitment Award mean to you?
Being awarded the commitment award by my peers is a great honor especially considering how much I look up to and admire each and every Fellow. This groups understands commitment and always shows up for each other.
Commitment is something that has typically come fairly naturally to me – until I got to Orr Fellowship. It was hard for me to put myself out there, attend large networking events, and feel like I belonged with this group of supremely talented individuals. Throughout the first year, I struggled to stay committed or finding what I should commit to. What I realized over time, is that if you are willing to to commit even a small amount to this group, you will be lifted up, supported, and encouraged even more than you could imagine. I am beyond grateful for a group who wasn’t willing to let me slip away and instead helped propel me to a phenomenal two years. This award is really about what is possible when you are surrounded by a community of bright, passionate, and encouraging minds.
What about Orr encouraged you to apply?
I was excited about staying and continuing to grow in Indianapolis following graduation from Butler University. I had heard about the personal and professional community Orr could offer and was hooked!
After two years, what does Orr mean to you now? How has Orr lived up to or exceeded what you initially expected?
For me, Orr was a huge opportunity to grow – in my skillset, in my network, and my self-confidence. I’m leaving Orr Fellowship so much more confident in what I can bring to the table. The growth would not have been possible without the incredible community of peers I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by – they consistently challenged me to elevate myself.
What opportunities through Orr have you found most impactful?
So many! One of my favorite parts of Orr was how often I was outside of my comfort zone and how that forced me to grow in different ways. I loved getting to lead a team during recruitment. My nonprofit consulting team was amazing and I loved getting to dabble in the consulting world. And honestly, any time I was able to get coffee with someone I hadn’t met before – so impactful to learn where people are from and what they are passionate about.
How has Orr impacted your post-grad career and the transition from college?
I am so lucky to have ended up at a Partner Company I love, in an industry I didn’t know anything about. Orr knew what work environment would fit me better than I ever did. I learned a ton from mentors at my company and am lucky to start my career where I did. Orr has also helped me to remove some of the limits I put on myself and my career, as cliché as that sounds. Being surrounded by some big-dreamers, helps you realize that your big dreams might be possible to if you’re willing to put the work in.
What advice do you have for current and future fellows?
There is more than one way to be a great Orr Fellow. We talk so often about this “go-getter”, “involved in everything”, “Type – A”, “overachiever” and it can be really easy to get lost in the comparison or even feel like you don’t fit that mold. You can be a great Orr Fellow by attending all the events, building a strong community around you, being a great employee at your company, by joining every Orr Fellowship team, or any other way you participate. These are all super amazing ways to be a huge part of Orr Fellowship – be proud of the way you show up no matter how, when, or what it looks like.
Any parting words for the fellowship?
When you’re in it, it can be really challenging and easy to get lost in the things you wish could be different or easier but try to enjoy the two years as much possible. Sure, we all want Orr Fellowship to be perfect but don’t wait to enjoy the journey until it’s over. And make all the coffees happen! Don’t wait for someone else to reach out. Finally, I am so thankful for every single Fellow. What an amazing group of people we get to be surrounded by for two years!
Mariah Parsons
Fair Haven, NJ
University of Notre Dame
Neuroscience and Behavior and Spanish
Malomo, Marketing Manager
Career: Awarded for committing to career development and making great strides over these past two years to grow as a professional
What does Career Award mean to you?
What about Orr encouraged you to apply?
The promise of opportunity and like-minded individuals that could potentially be some of my best friends.
After two years, what does Orr mean to you now? How has Orr lived up to or exceeded what you initially expected?
In two years I have been blessed to meet different people with different experiences and perspectives. I’ve met best friends and mentors that I am extremely grateful to.
What opportunities through Orr have you found most impactful?
The Fellowship & Alumni Engagement and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion events have been extremely impactful for me personally, and I’ve also loved a decent amount of the Civic Engagement events.
How has Orr impacted your post-grad career and the transition from college?
It gave me the safe area to discover who I am outside of school.
What advice do you have for young professionals just starting their career?
Let yourself be open to change and having others influence your life way quicker than you might anticipate.
Any parting words for the fellowship?
Thank you to everyone who made these two years memorable and important to me!
Erin Crowther
Barrington, IL
University of Dayton
Entrepreneurship, Marketing, and Finance
The Heritage Group, HG Ventures Analyst
Continued Learning: Awarded for valuing continued learning and always striving to gain new knowledge as a leader and a professional in any way
What about Orr encouraged you to apply?
Having the opportunity to join a peer-network of motivated young professionals going through the same stage of life and being involved in an entrepreneurial oriented community was hard to pass up!
After two years, what does Orr mean to you now? How has Orr lived up to or exceeded what you initially expected?
Not being from Indianapolis, Orr Fellowship has been my guiding force in the community. It has introduced me to people who will be lifelong friends and landed me a career at an amazing company, The Heritage Group. Orr Fellowship has the ability to set young professionals ahead in their career through the network and reputation that the program holds in the community.
What opportunities through Orr have you found most impactful?
The opportunities through Orr that I found to be most impactful was the ability to connect with community leaders through programming, board members, and additional networking events.
How has Orr impacted your post-grad career and the transition from college?
The ability to share experiences, thoughts, challenges, etc., with peers that are motivating and supportive is such a valuable thing to have as a young professional. It has allowed me to be inspired by and learn from others.
What advice do you have for young professionals just starting their career?
Community is everything. Developing strong relationships are critical and can be a game changer to your mindset and attitude. It is important to surround yourself with people that are motivating and you want to be like.
Any parting words for the fellowship?
Joining the fellowship was largely driven by my passion for entrepreneurship and desire to learn alongside and from other motivated young professionals. I truly believe that our mind is our greatest asset and it is important to continue to seek knowledge and challenge throughout our lifetimes. Orr Fellowship provided the perfect post-grad opportunity that supported learning and the development of a growth-mindset. It is an honor to be selected by my peers for the Continued Learning award. I’m excited to see how the program continues to develop its entrepreneurial and business leader focused curriculum.
