In nearing the end of our focus this year on leadership in sports organizations in Indiana, we sat down with Sarah Myer of Indiana Sports Corp. Sarah dropped by the studio to provide some insights on how this sports-centered nonprofit, headquartered right here in the Hoosier state, has set the standard in our country as the first to ever facilitate…

As we turn the page on another season in Indiana this year, we continue to focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in Indiana’s major sports league. This month we shine light on a lesser known sports institution based in our state that is having local, national, and international impact. Our guest, Evelyn Magley, is the CEO of The Basketb…

Jasmine Park is the Vice President of People, Culture, and Inclusion for the Indianapolis Colts. In keeping with our focus on professional sports this year, Jasmine dropped by the studio to discuss her experience as a diverse woman in sports and how she was able to be particularly influential in the interview and hiring process that resulted in The…

Randy Lewandowski is the President and CEO of the Indianapolis Indians. As we continue our focus on sports organizations in Indiana, we invited Randy to come by the studio to discuss the rich history and tradition of Indiana’s oldest Minor League baseball team, his significant tenure and advancement with their organization, and how their organizati…

Kristin Weeden is the Chief Talent Officer at Penske Entertainment. As we continue our focus on sports organizational leadership in Indianapolis this year, we wanted to check back in with Penske, including Indianapolis Motor Speedway, INDYCAR, and IMS Productions, to learn about what they are doing from a Human Resources perspective to continue to …

Jamie Riley is the Chief Operating Officer at USA Football. In keeping with our focus on professional sports organizations in our community, Jamie came by the studio to tell us about all the amazing things happening with football at the Olympic level and at the grassroots - not the kind you watch on Sunday - in light of their notably increased part…

Halston Mavrick is the Director of Brand Partnerships at Indy Fuel Hockey Club. In continuing with our focus on sports organizations in Indianapolis, Halston dropped by the studio to provide some unique insights as to the origin of hockey in Indiana. She also discussed the sport’s growing following and fandom in the Hoosier state, and what exciting…

Dr. Niya Blair Hackworth is the Director of Inclusion of the NCAA. In keeping with our sports focus and their organizational forces in Indiana, Dr. Niya came by the studio to discuss her career path in higher education administration and its evolution over many years at multiple universities prior to joining the NCAA. With an evolving focus on what…

Dr. Allison Barber is the President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Indiana Fever. On this Women’s History Month episode, Allison discusses her career ascension to her current role at the Indiana Fever by way of 8 previous roles in education, government, communications, and more. Allison also discusses her leadership role of the Indiana Fe…

Max Siegel is the CEO of USA Track and Field. In this episode, Max discusses his experiences and lessons learned over the course of his wide array of professional endeavors. Max also touched on his contributions and investments to diversify the racing industry and so many other industries and organizations he has engaged in and impacted through his…

Mel Raines is the president and COO of Pacers Sports & entertainment. In this episode, Mel discussed her current position resulting from a career transition from politics to sports and her leadership of the Pacers organization in that role. Importantly, Mel also touches on all the things our community should know about NBA All-Star weekend coming u…

Robert Shegog is the President and CEO of a historically diverse media organization based in Indianapolis, Recorder Media Group. In this episode, Robert discusses how he has been perfectly positioned for his current role. Robert specifically describes how his unique experiences of being raised in the Deep South, being a Navy veteran, graduating fro…

Alan Mills, often referred to as “The Godfather” of Barnes & Thornburg LLP, is a partner at the Indianapolis office. Moreso, Alan is the first African-American/Black employee, attorney, and partner at Barnes & Thornburg. He has built a career, reputation, and legacy on doing great legal work and increasing the diverse representation of attorneys at…

Marisa Kwiatkowski is an investigative reporter at USA Today. In this episode, Marisa talks about diversity, equity, and inclusion in journalism and media and how she’s seen the industry change over the last two decades. Marisa also discusses how the Hoosier state was critical to her success in this industry and why it’s important for aspiring jour…

Juan Gonzalez is the President of the Central Indiana market for KeyBank. In this episode, Juan talks about his experiences in Indiana business over the last two decades. Juan was particularly candid about the wealth of opportunity he has found in Indiana after coming here from Colombia to attend graduate school and how his inclusion in the Hoosier…

Anthony Prather is the Vice President and General Counsel of IU. In this episode, Anthony shares some valuable lessons he has learned over the course of his long and esteemed legal career as both inside and outside counsel. Anthony also shared how those lessons continue to inform his leadership as chief legal officer of IU. Anthony was very transpa…

Brandi Davis-Handy is the Chief Customer Officer, US Utilities at The AES Corporation. In this second anniversary episode, Brandi discusses the importance of people-centric cultures and community engagement to provide public visibility and validation to any company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) objectives and progress. As an Indianapolis…

Rod Cotton is the Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy & Transformation at Roche. In this episode, Rod discusses his views and vantage point on the evolution and elevation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives over his 40+ year career in the healthcare industry. Rod also shares many nuggets of wisdom and personally treas…

Kim Thomas is the Chief DEI Officer & Head of Community Affairs at One America. In this episode, Kim shares how the goals and expectations for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and programs have changed over the last two decades in multiple fields, particularly from the Human Resources perspective. Kim also discussed how she and he…

In this episode, William (Bill) Heath, Group Vice President of Medicines Innovation Hub (MIH) at Eli Lilly and Company, shares his experiential learnings and empathetic approach to implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) based on his background, upbringing, and the diverse individuals who surround him. He also discusses the importance o…

For this Women’s History Month episode we are joined by Nichole Wilson. Nichole is the Vice President of Community Health Operations at IU Health and an Indianapolis native. She stopped by the studio to drop some insightful and encouraging knowledge about her tenure and advancement in healthcare administration and executive leadership over the last…

Brian Richardson Jr. is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the Indianapolis Colts. In this episode, Brian provides insight into his impressive career journey from sports and fitness through academia as well as his current dream job as the inaugural Director of DEI at the Indianapolis Colts. In making Black history with this p…

Jimmie McMillian is Senior Corporate Counsel at Penske Entertainment and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. On this “reverse podcast,” dubbed “Flip the Script,” Jimmie builds on his long-time mentoring relationship with our regular host, Angela B. Freeman, to serve as guest host and allow our audience an opportunity to get to know Angela better. Thro…

Leon Jackson is the chancellor at Marian University's Saint Joseph's College, a two-year associate degree college based at the Indianapolis campus. In this episode, Leon discusses his personal path to and through academia, how he became chancellor of Saint Joseph’s College, and his impact in that role to prepare diverse talent for success in higher…

Lucia Mar is the Vice President, Market Executive at Bank of America in Indianapolis. In this episode, Lucia discussed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from the lens of an Asian American woman in the financial industry. Lucia was very transparent in discussing her experiences as well as her elevation to leadership in banking, her quick integr…

Pete Yonkman is the President of Cook Medical and Cook Group. In this episode, although Pete acknowledges that Cook hasn’t yet cracked the code on DEI, he engages in a very transparent conversation about how he and Cook have approached diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts that have had a significant impact on the members of his organizati…

Jeffrey A. Harrison is the president and chief executive officer of Citizens Energy Group, where he is responsible for establishing and maintaining the vision and strategic direction of the organization. In this episode host, Angela B. Freeman talks with Jeffrey about the criticality of authenticity and community impact for any corporate diversity,…

Rafael Sanchez is Executive Vice President, Chief Impact Officer & Indianapolis Market President at Old National Bank. In this episode host, Angela B. Freeman talks with Rafael about diversity, equity, and inclusion from a unique and authentic vantage point as a LatinX male executive in the banking and lending industry, and all the creative ways he…

Angela Smith Jones serves as the vice president of diversity and inclusion at Health & Hospital Corp. In her role, she oversees the strategic implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion across all entities of Health & Hospital, including Eskenazi Health, Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services, and Marion County Public Health Department, ens…

Holli Harrington is the diversity officer and senior director of supplier diversity for the Indianapolis Airport Authority. She joined the airport in 2013, became the organization's first diversity officer in 2018 and joined the executive team in 2020. Host Angela B. Freeman talks with Holli about her efforts to promote equity in the airport's oper…

Karrah Herring, a South Bend native, never had any interest in working in government or politics. But when she heard Gov. Eric Holcomb explain why he wanted to create the state's first Office of Equity, Inclusion & Opportunity—and create a data portal to track diversity issues—she felt a calling to be part of the effort. Since then, she's traveled …

In this episode of The Freedom Forum podcast, Jimmie McMillian tells his story about growing up in a dangerous area of Chicago and in an abusive home, struggling in college but then finding his stride in law school. McMillian, who took a pay cut to move from a prominent law firm to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, also talks about the struggles tha…

In 2020, Karen Bravo was appointed to be dean of the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, where she is the first woman of color to hold the position. She joined the law school faculty in 2004 and has served in a number of leadership roles, while also developing specialties in human trafficking and international affai…

Sharon Barner has spent a lifetime doing things that people told her she couldn't, starting with a high school guidance counselor who told her that she wouldn't succeed at a predominantly white college. But not only did Barner graduate from Syracuse University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, she went on to earn a law degree fro…

In this month's episode, host Angela B. Freeman talks with Angel Henry, author of "Dents in the Ceiling: Tools Women & Allies Need to Breakthrough," which tells the stories of 30 women of color who have survived and thrived in tech and corporate America. Henry—who is the senior director of professional services and the diversity, equity and inclusi…

After working in IT for several years for various organizations, Lamont Hatcher got an unexpected itch to start his own company. So in 2012, he launched Apex Infinite Solutions—now called AIS—to provide IT solutions to other companies. In 2020, the company landed on IBJ's Fast 25 list. He talks to host Angela B. Freeman about the challenges of bein…

Dawn Rosemond is the first African American woman to make equity partner at Barnes & Thornburg and is now diversity partner, in charge of activating the firm's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. She's also an author, a keynote speaker and the founder of Reign, a company aimed at helping people find their greatness. But success hasn't be…

In this week's podcast, host Angela B. Freeman talks with Jessica Gendron, CEO of The Center for Leadership Excellence, about the challenges that women face in life and their careers. And they discuss why those challenges are even more daunting for women of color, plus what non-minority women can do to help. IBJ's The Freedom Forum with Angela B. F…

Host Angela B. Freeman talks with two central Indiana women who started their own companies in the male-dominated fields of technology and construction. Audrey Taylor, co-founder of Netlogx, explains her firm's self-funded model for growth, while Akilah Darden, founder of The Darden Group, details what it was like to start a company during a pandem…

In the inaugural episode of IBJ's The Freedom Forum with Angela B. Freeman, Kelli Jones—co-founder of Sixty8 Capital and Be Nimble—talks about the importance of investing in diverse founders. And she explains why venture capitalists who ignore companies helmed by Black leaders and other people of color are missing out on big opportunities. IBJ's Th…

IBJ’s The Freedom Forum with Angela B. Freeman will explore the intersection of business, race and gender in a monthly series that begins Aug. 25. Freeman, an attorney, will talk with business leaders about how the corporate community can advance equity in the way companies hire and promote employees, choose vendors and contractors and fund new com…

super fire podcast with special guests Mr. Crosby and Ms. Melo