Finalist: Ryan Cutter
Award: Volunteer of the Year
Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-cutter-29635b84/
“Best ability is availability” – This is the motto Ryan Cutter lives by. A native Hoosier who wishes more people knew about Indianapolis, Ryan is a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters and the most of his time with his little. Read more about Ryan, and why he’s excited to take a trip to Africa once it is safe to do so!
Q: How did you react when you found out you were an ELEVATE Awards finalist?
A: I was pretty surprised. It is very prestigious, and more than anything I felt really humbled. There are so many people in Indianapolis that are doing great things, who are more deserving than I am—so just to be a part of this list of nominees is really one of the biggest honors that I’ve had in my life. I can’t tell you how much it means to me.
Q: If you were meeting someone that had just moved to Central Indiana, what would you tell them about what you do and how to get connected by volunteering?
A: I’ve been able to have that conversation a few times over the last couple years. Friends have moved here from Florida and Pennsylvania. They both moved downtown and wanted to get more connected to the community, so that’s where I was able to introduce them to BBBSI. They have been connected for about a year. It is great to see people connecting with Indianapolis and growing their roots to make Indy a better place to live.
Q: Finish this sentence “being a great volunteer means…”
A: Showing up, being available and caring. I grew up in a family that thought giving back to the community didn’t deserve a pat on the back, it is the price of admission.If you aren’t making the community better, then what are you doing? So, I think it’s having a willingness to help and make the community one day at a time.
Q: What have you learned about yourself during the pandemic and how has it affected your job, volunteering, etc.?
A: It’s been difficult and easy at the same time. There are times where I really just want to get pizza and do something fun with my little brother at BBBSI. And it’s easy because over the past two and a half years we’ve been able to develop a real relationship. He knows that if I miss a FaceTime call, I’ll call him back. If there’s a problem or just to say hi, I’m available to talk to him. And his mom, who is truly the superhero in all of this, knows that I try to be there for him as much as humanly possible.
Time for some favorites:
Q: Mountains or Beach?
A: Mountains
Q: East or West Coast?
A: West Coast
Q: Favorite Travel Partner?
A: My girlfriend, Rachel.
Q: Where will you travel to once it is safe to do so?
A: So, Mom turned 60 last March and her dream has always been to go on an African safari. A close friend is a tour guide and trip planner in Cape Town, South Africa, so as soon as it’s safe to go, we will be going on a two-week African safari to celebrate her 60th birthday, a year later.
Q: Favorite place in Central Indiana?
A: I’m going to give a shout out to my girlfriend’s and my favorite restaurant – Beholder. I highly suggest it!
Join Ryan at ELEVATE and don’t forget to RSVP, today!
