Marion Co. NEPA Wanda Ocasio Nelson was honored by Indy Chamber’s Hispanic Business Council with the 2023 Vision award.

She and four other community leaders were recognized at “Conexión: 5 for 500” for their contributions to Hispanic progress in Marion County.

“The Vision award goes to a professional leader whose contributions in different professional fields have made a positive impact in the general community,” said Marcela Montero, the director of the Hispanic Business Council. The event will be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Wanda, who was named the state’s 2022 NEPA of the Year in October, called the award “an amazing journey.”

“It’s been a very humbling experience,” Wanda said. “I’m very humbled to represent so many other professionals in our purpose to inform and teach those in our Hispanic community. I was extremely surprised when I received the phone call from Ms. Montero, director of the Hispanic Indy Chamber, that I’d won the Vision award among many nominees.”

Wanda’s supervisor, Ashley Roberts, said the award was well deserved.

“Wanda is not only a fantastic NEPA, but she is also a cheerleader to fellow NEPAs in our region, a wonderful mentor to new staff, and she also steps up and helps on special projects and pilots,” Ashley said. “I’m thankful to have her on our NEP team!”

Wanda become a NEPA in 2016. Her role with NEP combines her two passions: helping others and staying physically active.

“I’ve always been very physically active. After going through a really difficult divorce, I decided to challenge myself and learn how to swim so I could become a triathlete. At age 48, I participated in my first triathlon, and at age 50, my first Half-Ironman.”

“I still swim, bike and walk just for health! I love telling my participants that age is only a number and that is never too late to become physically active.”

One of her favorite class sites is Indianapolis’ Community Alliance of the Far East (CAFE), where she has taught for the past six years. In addition to offering resources and assistance to the immigrant community, it offers English as a second language classes to adults and hosts Wanda’s NEP classes.

Wanda works with her classroom teachers to help her students improve their English while exploring the Eating Smart, Moving More curriculum, often tutoring during her free time.

A native of Puerto Rico, she has also volunteered as a medical interpreter every week for the past 11 years at a free clinic in Indy.