Luke Ellis named “Young Leader of the Year” by United Way

AUSTIN, TX (November 11, 2007) — On Saturday, November 3, the Austin Scottish Rite Theater was filled with the sounds of the Roaring 1920s, as almost 200 of Young Leaders Society members and their guests took part in the annual “Wild Night Out” celebration and heard the announcement of the Young Leader of the Year Award.

The 2007 Young Leader of the Year is Mr. Luke Ellis.

Mr. Ellis, who works as an attorney in Austin, exemplifies the YLS principles of leadership, volunteerism, and philanthropy in myriad ways. As co-chair of the People’s Law School event and host of the weekly legal segment “The Common Law” on News 8 Austin, Luke is committed to demystifying the law for the uninformed and underserved, helping them understand their rights and options and making the “legal world” seem far less daunting to the average Austinite.

But that’s not nearly all. Luke has been a long-time volunteer with Habitat For Humanity, having helped the organization build homes all over the world. Now, he’s deeply committed to Austin Habitat For Humanity, serving on its board and becoming the founding member of its young professionals group, “Habitat Young Professionals.” Starting with an initial membership of 16, Luke helped turn the HYP into a strong, recognized, active organization in Austin with more than 200 members. During the group’s first year, in dues and additional fundraisers, the HYP members raised more than $80,000 and donated more than 2,000 hours to Habitat. Members identify Luke’s compassion and leadership skills as the primary reasons for the HYP’s success.

In the end, Luke personifies the steering principles of both YLS and United Way: a commitment to the community, the desire to take charge and get things accomplished, and the willingness to listen to everyone to attain the greatest results.

We are proud to announce Luke Ellis as the Young Leaders Society 2007 “Young Leader of the Year.”

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About United Way Capital Area
United Way Capital Area (UWCA) is focused on narrowing the opportunity gap in Central Texas between those who are getting ahead and those who are falling behind. By engaging our community around critical social issues—and helping individuals and companies lend their talent, time, and treasure—United Way Capital Area aims to help make lasting change. The community has identified three areas it believes UWCA should address in order to make long-term change: Education, Financial Stability, and Individual and Community Health. UWCA maintains several programs critical to our community’s success: Hands On Central Texas (the volunteer center), 2-1-1 (the free phone line for information and referral for social services), and Success By 6 (which brings together more than 80 organizations to improve the lives of young children in our community.