Citizens Energy Group congratulates Rhonda Harper, retired Community & Stakeholder Engagement Manager, on receiving the Jefferson Award in recognition of her 35 years of commitment to improving the lives of residents of Central Indiana. The award was presented to Rhonda by Citizens President & CEO Jeffrey Harrison during her recent retirement celebration. She retired from Citizens on March 31.
Citizens is a corporate partner of Multiplying Good, the nonprofit that coordinates the Jefferson Awards. This marks the 12th year Citizens has participated in the program, which was established in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard, a former staff assistant to Senator Robert Kennedy. Named for Thomas Jefferson, the program recognizes outstanding public service and aims to honor unsung heroes in the community.
“On behalf of everyone at Citizens Energy Group, it is my honor to recognize Rhonda with a Jefferson Award from Multiplying Good. Rhonda’s burning desire to serve has improved the lives of thousands of Indianapolis residents and the communities Citizens is proud to serve. Congratulations to Rhonda on receiving this prestigious award and for her incredible career of service at Citizens. I can think of no other employee who is more deserving of this honor,” said Harrison.
Harper began and spent much of her Citizens career in the Customer Service Department, ensuring each day that employees carefully considered and met the full needs of our customers. Harper’s daily efforts ensured countless customers were able to maintain their utility service while also meeting the other basic needs of their families, such as rent, food, and medical care. She served as a shining example of Owning the Customer Experience.
Harper transitioned to the next chapter of her career with Citizens as Manager of Community & Stakeholder Engagement. She served as a leader, forging partnerships with non-profit organizations working to enhance quality of life across Indianapolis, helping Citizens fulfill its desire to make the city a better place to live, work, and play. She led multiple Indianapolis community redevelopment efforts through Citizens’ Investment Collaboration on Neighborhoods (ICON) and actively stewarded a positive relationship with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
On receiving the award, Harper shared, “I am both honored and humbled to have been selected to receive the Jefferson Award for Public Service. During my 34-plus years with Citizens, I have been privileged to serve our customers and community. To have Citizens honor me in this way is overwhelming, and I am so thankful. I appreciate the opportunity Citizens provided for me to touch so many organizations and be involved in community work. I have seen the difference being involved and engaged can make in the lives of the customers and communities we serve.”
She is an active member of the boards of Child Advocates, the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition, Southeast Neighborhood Development Corp., and Connect2Help 211.
Harper and other Jefferson Award winners from across the U.S. will be recognized for their exceptional community service work in October at the National Awards Ceremony in New York City.
