Welcome to IBJ's Thought Leadership series. We're talking with experts across all business sectors who want to engage with the Indianapolis business community about industry trends and to share advice and experiences. We are excited to bring their expertise to our readers.

Rachel Stevens Senior Director of Human Resources Indianapolis Airport Authority

Content sponsored by Indianapolis Airport Authority

Women in the Workplace

Indianapolis Airport Authority focuses on hiring women, helping them thrive

In this week’s Thought Leadership Point of View, Rachel Stevens, Senior Director of Human Resources for the Indianapolis Airport Authority, discusses the IAA’s approach to hiring women and helping them advance in their careers.
Andy Cardimen Senior Vice President & Commercial Group Manager, Indiana Mid-Market Banking Huntington National Bank
Scott Ransburg Indiana Market President Huntington National Bank

Content sponsored by Huntington National Bank

Banking & Finance

How to navigate changes of control, wealth preservation

In this week's Thought Leadership Point of View, executives from Huntington National Bank answer questions about raising money, selling a business, and preserving wealth.
David B. Allison Dean, Distinguished Professor, and Provost Professor Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington
Rebecca Hoffpauir Dean of Nursing Indiana Wesleyan University School of Integrated Health
Steve Smitherman President CareSource Indiana Market

Content sponsored by CareSource, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, and Indiana Wesleyan University

Health Care & Benefits

Staffing is one of health care’s biggest challenges

In this week’s Thought Leadership Roundtable, experts from CareSource, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, and Indiana Wesleyan University weigh in on the shortage of nurses and the epidemic of obesity in Indiana.
Julie Bielawski Founder and CEO Knowledge Services
Brody Ertel Indiana Market Director Meriplex
John Qualls CEO and President Purpose HQ and Eleven Fifty Academy, an Indiana Wesleyan University education pathway
Cody Tyler Director of Infrastructure Operations Sondhi Solutions

Content sponsored by Indiana Wesleyan University, Knowledge Services, Meriplex, and Sondhi Solutions

Cybersecurity & Technology

Cybersecurity requires constant vigilance

In our Thought Leadership Roundtable, experts at Indiana Wesleyan University's Eleven Fifty Academy, Knowledge Services, Meriplex, and Sondhi Solutions warn businesses not to take cybersecurity for granted and offer tips on how to secure your systems effectively.
DyNishia Miller Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer Damien Center
Tarah Reid Director of Finance & Operations ACLU of Indiana

Content sponsored by Damien Center and ACLU of Indiana

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

DEI movement faces critical juncture

In our Thought Leadership Roundtable, executives at the ACLU of Indiana and the Damien Center discuss the state of the DEI movement and best practices for companies that are committed to a diverse, equitable workplace.
Carla Johnson Chief of Human Resources Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township

Content sponsored by Metropolitan School District Lawrence Township

Talent Recruitment & Retention

The science of recruitment and retention

In this week’s Thought Leadership, Carla Johnson, the Chief of Human Resources for the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township, discusses the district’s approach to hiring and delivering the best experience possible for teachers and students.   
Dr. Edward Hellman Board President OrthoIndy
John Ryan Chief Executive Officer OrthoIndy

Content sponsored by OrthoIndy

Health Care

Providing quality, access, and affordability

In this week’s Thought Leadership roundtable, OrthoIndy CEO John Ryan and surgeon Dr. Edward Hellman talk about the importance of providing quality care where patients want it and at a price they can afford.
Kristina Lund President of Utilities Strategic Business Unit AES
Srikanth Padmanabhan President, Engine Business Cummins

Content sponsored by AES and Cummins

Innovation

Innovation is making a difference

In this week’s Thought Leadership Roundtable, executives at AES and Cummins discuss the importance of innovation and cite examples of its impact on our environment.
Roger Engelau Founder & CEO Inspire Results
Dan Griffith Senior Vice President & Director of Wealth Strategy Huntington Private Bank
Andrew Williams Managing Director Calder Capital

Content sponsored by Calder Capital, Huntington Private Bank, and Inspire Results Business Coaching

Succession Planning

It’s never too soon to think about succession

In this week’s Thought Leadership Roundtable, executives at Calder Capital, Huntington Private Bank, and Inspire Results Business Coaching take business owners through the challenges and payoffs of succession planning.
Doneisha Posey Vice President & General Counsel Black Onyx Management
Dr. Shawn A. Smith Superintendent of Schools Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township

Content sponsored by Black Onyx Management and Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

DEI requires top-down commitment

In this week’s Thought Leadership Roundtable, leaders at Black Onyx Management and the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township identify two precursors to DEI success at any organization: tangible support from leadership and making DEI a formal policy, not just a promise.
Brandon Collins Consultant NFP
Brian Tabor President Indiana Hospital Association

Content sponsored by Indiana Hospital Association and NFP

Health Care & Benefits

Transparency leads to market solutions

In this week’s Thought Leadership Roundtable, the president of the Indiana Hospital Association and a benefits consultant from the NFP insurance brokerage discuss a variety of topics, including recent movement toward price transparency and the need for more transparency throughout the health care system.  
Dr. Jeff Butts Superintendent Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township
Dr. Terry Daugherty Dean Scott College of Business at Indiana State University
Dr. David Dimmett President and CEO Project Lead The Way

Content sponsored by Indiana State University, Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township, and Project Lead The Way

Education & Workforce Development

Support teachers for student success

In our first Thought Leadership Roundtable of 2023, educators and administrators at Indiana State University, the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township, and Project Lead The Way discuss what can be done to create success for students and teachers in a constantly changing educational environment.
Christopher Habig CEO and Co-Founder Freedom Healthworks and FreedomDoc
Jeff Wells, MD CEO and Co-Founder Marathon Health

Content sponsored by Freedom Healthworks and Marathon Health

Health Care & Benefits

Health care needs an overhaul

In IBJ’s Thought Leadership Roundtable, executives at Freedom Healthworks and Marathon Health say investing in independent primary care is key to healing our health care system.
Andy Miller, Ph.D. VP for Innovation & Partnerships Indiana Wesleyan University
Dr. Shawn A. Smith Superintendent of Schools Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township

Content sponsored by Indiana Wesleyan University and Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township

Education & Workforce Development

Workforce development never stops

In IBJ’s Thought Leadership Roundtable, executives at Indiana Wesleyan University and the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township say that in spite of Indiana’s robust workforce development efforts, still more must be done.
Jennifer Rumsey President and Chief Executive Officer Cummins Inc.
Amy Davis Vice President and President—New Power Cummins Inc.
Gabe Filippelli Executive Director, Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute Chancellor’s Professor, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Andrés Gluski President and CEO The AES Corporation

Content sponsored by Cummins

Climate Change

The stars are aligning in climate-change fight

In this week’s Thought Leadership roundtable, executives from Cummins, The AES Corporation, and Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute weigh in on the progress being made in the war on climate change and how federal legislation is aiding the fight.
Stephen Daugherty Director of Technology Sondhi Solutions
Andy Miller, Ph.D. VP for Innovation & Partnerships Indiana Wesleyan University
Ivan Shefrin Executive Director Managed Security Services Comcast Business

Content sponsored by Comcast Business, Indiana Wesleyan University, and Sondhi Solutions

Technology & Cybersecurity

Tech success requires playing offense and defense

In our Thought Leadership Roundtable, leaders at Comcast Business, Indiana Wesleyan University and Sondhi Solutions cover the waterfront, from protecting your business from cybercriminals to making sure you’re taking advantage of the latest technology.
Spencer Gray President Gray Capital
Chris Hall Vice President of Sales Renovia

Content sponsored by Gray Capital and Renovia

Commercial Real Estate

Real estate, construction industries adapt to market challenges

In IBJ’s Thought Leadership Roundtable, executives at Gray Capital and Renovia discuss market headwinds, Indy’s resilience and how technology is improving everything from project management to rental rates.
Bryan Bedford President and Chief Executive Officer Republic Airways
Andy Miller, Ph.D. VP for Innovation & Partnerships Indiana Wesleyan University
Quinn Ricker CEO Jet Access

Content sponsored by Republic Airways, Indiana Wesleyan University, and Jet Access

Aviation & Aerospace

Flight challenges are far from insurmountable

In IBJ’s Thought Leadership Roundtable, executives from Republic Airways, Indiana Wesleyan University, and Jet Access, tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the airline industry.