Life Sciences Power Breakfast

Scott Fadness became Fishers’ first Mayor on January 1, 2015. Since then, he has brought to life a smart, vibrant and entrepreneurial vision for the city. Fishers was named “Best Place to Live in America” by Money Magazine in 2017 and “Community of the Year” by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce in 2016.

Under Scott’s leadership, Fishers has transformed into a lively, successful city that large corporate headquarters, small businesses, families and people of all ages are proud to call home. His efforts revitalizing Fishers’ downtown have been especially important to attracting and retaining professional talent from across the country.

Scott’s focus on making Fishers inviting to employers large and small has resulted in new economic development records being set each year since he took office. Since elected, companies have chosen Fishers to create 8,091 jobs and invest nearly $2.6 billion in new capital investment. From attracting corporate headquarters to fostering the development of homegrown companies started by entrepreneurs at Launch Fishers, the growth of good-paying jobs in Fishers is significant. Fadness and his team has also transformed Fishers into a successful hub for biotech and biopharma. Their efforts have resulted in 1,172 jobs and invest 750 million in new
capital investment.

Critical to attracting jobs and families to Fishers are the amenities that make a community feel like home. Scott has led efforts to strengthen city services and quality of life amenities. Some highlights include park and trail improvements, the downtown amphitheater, the creation of Agripark – the nation’s largest urban farm, the attraction of Ikea and Top Golf and the Yard at Fishers District culinary destination and Geist Waterfront Park.

Scott serves in a variety of roles to promote policies important to Fishers’ success and to support causes important to community residents. He leads the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority Board, serves on the Federal Communications Commission’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee and Indiana’s Behavioral Health Commission.

Prior to becoming Mayor, Scott served as Fishers’ Town Manager and as an adjunct professor at the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He holds a master’s degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University. He lives in Fishers with his wife, Aunna, and their three boys.

Melina Kennedy is the Chief Executive of CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership, an organization of industry CEOs, University Presidents and Philanthropy dedicated to driving economic prosperity in Indiana.  She has more than 30 years of experience in law, government and business, including more than a decade at Cummins, in a variety of business leadership roles in the Engine and Power Systems businesses as well as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. In addition, she had a successful law career at the former Baker and Daniels LLP; and was deputy mayor, director of economic development for the City of Indianapolis from 2000 to 2005.

Active in the community, she served for seven years as president of the Capital Improvement Board of Managers, where she worked with a bi-partisan group of State leaders and legislators, City leaders and councilors, and Pacers Sports and Entertainment to secure a long-term commitment of the Indiana Pacers to Indianapolis.

Kennedy has done extensive work on corporate, community and non-profit boards, and has received several awards for her active engagement in Indianapolis. She is currently a board member for the National Bank of Indianapolis; LDI Ltd., the Indianapolis Urban League and 16 Tech Innovation District. She has been recognized as a IBJ 250 Most Influential Leader, IBJ Forty Under 40, IBJ Influential Women, 2024 IU O’Neill School Distinguished Alumni, and the Indiana University Varsity Club Leanne Grotke Award recipient for her contributions making an impact as a former IU Varsity letter winner in track and field and cross country at Indiana University. She is a graduate of Indiana University with B.S., M.S. and J.D. degrees.

Josh Richardson serves as President of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation within the Indiana Commerce Vertical under Secretary David Adams. He previously served as Commissioner and Chief of Staff at the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD), where he held various leadership roles since rejoining the agency in March 2018.

 Richardson has an extensive background in public service. He began his career with the State of Indiana, serving in multiple roles at DWD and in the Office of Governor Mitch Daniels as a Policy Director. Under Governors Mitch Daniels, Mike Pence and Eric Holcomb, he held several key positions within DWD, including Director of Indiana’s Unemployment Insurance System.

Between his two stints at DWD, Richardson worked at the National Association of State Workforce Agencies’ Integrity Center, where he advised states on reducing fraud and improper payments in unemployment insurance programs.

A native of Blackford County, Richardson earned his undergraduate degree from Ball State University and his law degree from the McKinney School of Law.

With 35+ years of experience in animal health and life sciences, Jeff Simmons serves as President and CEO Elanco Animal Health (NYSE: ELAN). Over the past few years, he has guided the company toward a new era as a sustainable growth company, built on a robust basket of innovation and a diverse, durable portfolio of solutions designed to deliver on its higher purpose: Making life better for animals, makes life better. Elanco is a global leader with scale, portfolio diversity, innovative pipeline and infrastructure to reach the world’s animals, delivering significant value for customers and shareholders. As an advocate for animal health, Jeff is active with HealthforAnimals (H4A) and Animal Health Institute (AHI). His Board roles reflect his dedication to human health through IU Health and food security with HATCH for Hunger™.