McCoy Award Honorees · Past Winners

Donna & Nick Akins | 2024

Donna and Nick Akins have been active members of the central Ohio community since relocating here for Nick’s role with American Electric Power in 2007, where he enjoyed a 41-year career, eventually serving as its Chairman, President and CEO. The couple devotes time and resources to central Ohio causes they are passionate about, such as serving as co-chairs of the Mid-Ohio Food Collective’s successful $30 million capital campaign, which significantly increased the organization’s capacity to serve those in need across 20 Ohio counties.

Upon moving to New Albany and learning about the role the New Albany Community Foundation plays in advancing lifelong learning opportunities through the New Albany Lecture and Student Lecture Series and the performing arts in the McCoy Center and Hinson Amphitheater, Donna eagerly accepted the invitation to join the Foundation Board, a position she held for nine years.

Donna and Nick have made significant contributions in support of the arts and lifelong learning programs. Through leadership gifts to capital campaigns such as the Hinson Amphitheater, the Akins helped make new performance spaces a reality. They also established an endowment fund to support the future success of The New Albany Lecture Series, now in its 14th season. “We deeply value the arts and education and the doors they open,” said Donna