Champion Spotlight - Commitment to Community and Collaboration

For Jennifer Collins and Amelia Ewan, giving back to the community isn’t just something they do on the side—it’s woven into how they approach their work at Yale. Since 2018, the pair have served as champions for the university’s partnership with the United Way of Greater New Haven, turning their passion for service into support for local causes.

Jennifer and Amelia didn’t seek out the role initially. Former champions at the Yale Center for British Art approached them, recognizing how involved they already were in fundraising activities. The previous champions emphasized one key piece of advice—have a partner.

For Amelia, the role felt like a natural fit. “I’ve always loved helping others and been passionate about making an impact,” she said. “Since we’d already been involved, it felt natural. It’s been an upward gradual effort.”

For both Jennifer and Amelia, being champions is more than organizing events. “It’s being compassionate for the well-being of others,” they said. “We’re good at planning and organizing these fundraisers. It’s a way to put our skills to use.”

One of the traditions Jennifer and Amelia have helped sustain is the annual chili cook-off, which started in 2006 as an informal gathering organized by former security officers Michael Guidone and Thomas Gallagher. The families of Guidone and Gallagher still attend. The first-place prize bears Gallagher’s name—a tribute to the twelve-time champion who helped establish the event. By 2017, the cook-off had gained enough popularity that previous champions decided to make it a United Way fundraiser.

The event’s success comes down to teamwork. “The most essential part of this success is teamwork,” Jennifer said. “We have so many people involved—cooks, judges, people making desserts, events, security, custodial, operations.” 

The cook-off gives staff time to enjoy themselves and come together. Jennifer and Amelia promote the event through emails, flyers, sign-up sheets, and word of mouth. The United Way donation portal now displays event details, and they create QR codes for easy access.

Each year, the event draws around 60 people and features 10 to 15 chili entries. Participants pay a minimum of $8, which includes chili, desserts, and condiments, though many choose to give more. This year’s cook-off, held November 3 at the Yale University Art Gallery, raised $1,445 for the United Way of Greater New Haven, up from $1,254 the previous year.

The collaboration between the Yale Center for British Art and the Yale University Art Gallery reflects the power of departments coming together for a shared cause. “This shows the two museums coming together for a great cause,” they said. Discussions for next year’s event are already under way with the hope to resume hosting the event at the Yale Center for British Art.

Jennifer and Amelia are especially grateful to their partners at the Yale University Art Gallery, particularly Peter Yacono and Frank Biceglia. They also appreciate the support of their directors, Martina Droth, Paul Mellon director of the Yale Center for British Art, and Stephanie Wiles, the Henry J. Heinz II director at the Yale University Art Gallery. 

For anyone considering a similar role, Jennifer’s advice is straightforward: “Don’t be scared—have fun with it. Whether it’s small or large, every bit counts.” She also emphasizes the value of partnership. “It’s nice to have a partner. You can utilize that person as a resource.”

What keeps Jennifer and Amelia motivated is the local impact of their work. “It’s home—it’s local,” they said. “You can see the benefits, and you can see who you are helping. That’s what drives us forward. The more people that get involved, the more you learn about it, and that inspires people to want to help.”

As they plan their next event for the new year, Jennifer and Amelia remain committed to fostering connections between their colleagues and the broader community. Their work is a reminder that meaningful change often starts with individuals willing to step up and bring people together.