Make-A-Wish^® Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana

Columbus, OH — November 18, 2024 — After a transformational 45-year career in the nonprofit sector, including nearly 15 years with Make-A-Wish, Stephanie McCormick has announced her retirement as President & CEO of Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana. McCormick will step down from her leadership role on January 17, 2025, passing the baton to incoming President & CEO, Juli Miller.

McCormick has left an indelible mark on the organization since joining Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana in 2019. Under her leadership, the chapter granted a record-breaking 1,205 wishes in 2023, the most wishes granted by any Make-A-Wish chapter nationwide in a single year. She also led the chapter to achieve record fundraising in the past three years.

Before joining the Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana chapter, McCormick served as President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Orange County & the Inland Empire from 2011 to 2019, where she successfully grew the organization’s revenues from $2.5 million to $6 million. Her career also includes leadership roles at the United Way, American Lung Association, YMCA Orange County, and the Mariposa Women and Family Center.

“Stephanie’s leadership has been nothing short of transformative,” said Governing Board Chair Kara Trott. “Her tireless dedication, deep compassion, and commitment to Make-A-Wish’s mission have touched thousands of lives, and she leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire our work for years to come.”

McCormick’s impact has not gone unnoticed. She was recently honored with the Indiana Lt. Governor’s Leadership Award in recognition of her outstanding community service, leadership, and academic achievement. A graduate of The Ohio State University with a BS in Education, McCormick also holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University.

“I’ve dedicated my life to nonprofit service and the past 15 years with Make-A-Wish have been the pinnacle of my career,” said Stephanie. “I passionately believe there is nothing more powerful than the smile of a wish child and those smiles have transformed me. It’s the honor of my life to have helped make wishes come true for children with critical illnesses.”

Throughout her tenure, McCormick has overseen the granting of more than 8,000 wishes, helping to bring hope, strength, and joy to children across the country.
oki.wish.org

“We are incredibly grateful for Stephanie’s leadership and the lasting impact she has made on our chapter, our community, and the children we serve,” said incoming President & CEO Juli Miller. “I look forward to continuing Stephanie’s legacy of making life-changing wishes come true for children in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.”
About Make

Save the Date for the 2nd Annual Adams Radio Group Make-A-Wish Request-A-Thon on September 8, 2023, from 6:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.! Listeners who tune in will hear inspiring wish stories and can request songs in exchange for donations on stations 96.3XKE, US93.3, and HOT107.9. All the funds raised will help Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana grant more life-changing wishes for local kids battling critical illnesses.

There are several ways to give and support Make-A-Wish during the Adams Radio Group Make-A-Wish Request-A-Thon:
• Donate online at oki.wish.org/neiwishes
• Text makeawish to 243725
• Call in to donate on September 8th by dialing 260-208-3651
• Be a part of the pre-event silent auction by bidding on one special item, an autographed Kenny Chesney guitar at https://www.oki.wish.org/adamsauction. The silent auction opens Monday, September 4th, and closes at 11:59 P.M. on Thursday, September 7th.

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - A 6-year-old boy with leukemia got the surprise of a lifetime when his wish to do the griddy with Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase came true. Brix, a young boy from Georgetown, Texas, wanted to meet Chase and join him in doing his signature touchdown dance. As part of Make-A-Wish and ESPN’s “My Wish” series, to his surprise, Brix’s dream was granted. The 6-year-old boy with leukemia and his family flew to Cincinnati in June to meet Chase, and yes, do the griddy alongside the Bengals star wide receiver.

By Marc Bona, cleveland.com
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A Winchester teen had her wish to be a princess for a day granted on Thursday as the Make-A-Wish Foundation hosted a ball for her at the Kentucky Castle

They say a dream is a wish your heart makes—and for Princess Michele, hers was to be the belle of the ball.