Sue Heimann receives ‘Freedom from Selfishness’ Award
ASHLAND – Sue Heimann was recently honored as the recipient of the 2026 Dr. Lucille G. Ford “Freedom from Selfishness” Award by the Women’s Fund of Ashland County Community Foundation.
Established in 2013 and named for Ashland County Community Foundation’s founding president, Dr. Lucille G. Ford, this prestigious annual award recognizes women who have shown a long-standing commitment to philanthropy in Ashland County. The award was presented at a May 26 reception with Heimann’s friends, family members and former colleagues in attendance.
Dr. Ford defined philanthropy as “freedom from selfishness,” and she exemplified that definition throughout her life. One recipient is chosen each year, and each award recipient has given time, talent or resources to improve the lives of others and the community.
One of Heimann’s nominators, Khush Pittenger, saw Heimann as someone who met these benchmarks. Heimann herself was mentored by Dr. Ford, particularly when she was working in higher education, where she served for 36 years. This included a role as the first female Vice President at Ashland University.
According to Pittinger, she continued Dr. Ford’s philosophy of philanthropy by serving others throughout Ashland County, including her service with the following groups and boards: Parkinson’s Support Group, Leadership Team; Chamber of Commerce Board; Friends of the Ashland Public Library; Associated Charities Board; Ashland County Red Cross Board; UH Samaritan Medical Center Board; Salvation Army Board; Samaritan Regional Health System Board, and as a volunteer for The Cat House Feline Sanctuary and the YMCA Little Brother, Little Sister program.
She is known to go above and beyond basic service required by the boards in which she served, making impacts through charitable giving, volunteering, grant writing, mentoring, needs assessment, and sheer dedication to getting a job done.
“If there is a need, Sue just rolls up her sleeves and with others, gets things done,” Pittenger said. “Sue’s fingerprints touch a vast array of social services provided in our community. She is the kind of person who changes the ethos of her environment. The norms that serve our community well are built by the examples of women like Lucille and Sue. They exemplify to others that a well-lived life is the one that is lived in service of others.”
Likewise, another one of Heimann’s nominators, Dr. Oscar McNight, emphasized this point.
“Whether she was securing grants to combat substance abuse, or serving on more than a dozen nonprofit boards, her focus remained on the holistic well-being of our community.”
Heimann could also be counted on as a good friend. In a letter of support for her nomination, friend Rebecca Parillo recalls how Heimann was there for her as a new mother. Parillo, who has known her for more than 25 years, worked with her when she was the Vice President of Student Affairs at Ashland University.
“Sue has a loving heart, and I struggle to put into words how she has supported me over the years. Although my children are now teens, she mentored me when I was a new mom trying to juggle work and life,” Parillo said. “I have no family in town, and she threw a baby shower for me. She was a role model and cheerleader for me. She still is.”
McNight agreed, referring to what he called her “legendary commitment” to individual relationships.
“She possesses the rare gift of making you feel like the only person in the room,” he said.
Heimann expressed gratitude at being honored with this award.
“I am truly humbled and filled with joy this evening to receive the Dr. Lucille G. Ford Freedom from Selfishness Award. I was so fortunate to know Lucille,” she said.
Recalling Dr. Ford’s many accomplishments in her acceptance speech, Heimann noted that “I think it’s important to remember her always, not just through an award or a hallway at the high school, but to remember that she was someone who embodied philanthropy.
“I’m in awe of her servant leadership. I hope we all strive to remember her legacy and personally continue her impact of doing good,” Heimann said.
She expressed gratitude toward all those who nominated her, and wrote letters of support, citing all the ways they themselves worked in service to the communities they served.
“If you look at all these people I’ve mentioned, they are like Lucille because they create opportunities for people to give and serve others,” she said.
She also thanked her husband Mike, her family, and ACCF and the Women’s Fund.
Nominees for the Dr. Lucille G. Ford “Freedom from Selfishness” Award must demonstrate deep-rooted, long-standing commitment to the Ashland County community and reside in, or have resided in, Ashland County on a long-term basis. Award recipients are selected by a committee of the Women’s Fund of Richland County Foundation.
Past award recipients include Nancy T. Davis (2014), Janet L. Archer (2015), Nancy E. Kopp (2016), Ann J. Miller (2017), Dr. JoAnn Ford Watson (2018), Diana S. Brechbuhler (2019), Dr. Julia Wright (2020), Lori Gottfried (2021), Norma Wygant (2022), Elaine Hess (2023), Dorothy Stratton (2024) and Marilyn Harshman (2025).
About Ashland County Community Foundation: Ashland County Community Foundation advances philanthropy and improves the quality of life in Ashland County by connecting people who care with causes that matter. ACCF has awarded over $40 million in scholarships, grants and distributions.
