Behind the Prize
Meet the Community Leaders Making
a Difference for Wildlife

Behind the Prize

About

The Indianapolis Prize could not exist without the hours of contributions from the people behind the Prize. The various committees are composed of dedicated and talented individuals who have combined their expertise to create a program with a significant international impact.

Honorary Chairs
  • JANE ALEXANDER

    Internationally known and multiple award winning actor and environmentalist Jane Alexander has been involved with the Indianapolis Prize since the first Prize Gala in 2006, which she emceed. She was joined in that task at the 2008 Prize Gala by her good friend, actor and fellow environmentalist Sam Waterston. Alexander, known for her outstanding performances on stage, film and television, is a passionate supporter of the arts (she formerly served as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts) and of nature (she formerly served as Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for the State of New York). She is dedicated to the preservation of wildlife and her support of the Indianapolis Prize has been significant and generous. The inaugural Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award was presented to its namesake in recognition of her decades-long commitment as a voice and champion for species.

  • STEVEN A. AMSTRUP, Ph.D.

    2012 Prize Winner and Chief Scientist, Polar Bears International

     

     

  • GEORGE W. ARCHIBALD, Ph.D.

    2006 Indianapolis Prize Winner and Co-founder & Senior Conservationist, International Crane Foundation

  • HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco

     The reigning Monarch of Monaco His Serene Highness Prince Albert II is an ocean conservationist, a philanthropist for protection of human rights, a five-time Olympian, and the 2021 Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award recipient. 

    In 2006, His Serene Highness proved his passion for wildlife conservation by establishing the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation to address the planet’s alarming environmental situation. The foundation directly raises funds and initiates action for ecological sustainability, establishes partnerships and carries out projects that limit the effects of climate change. The foundation makes water a priority, safeguarding the biodiversity and resources of the Mediterranean basin, the polar regions and least developed countries.

    His Serene Highness’ love for the natural world is rooted in a commitment to the world that will be left for future generations. His foundation has 10 foreign branches and has funded almost 700 projects for a total engagement of 84 million €. 

  • PABLO BORBOROGLU, PH.D.

    2023 Indianapolis Prize Winner, Founder and President of the Global Penguin Society

  • HARRISON FORD

    Well known actor and conservationist, activist Harrison Ford has served on the board of Conservation International for more than 10 years. Conservation International is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., that seeks to protect Earth’s biodiversity “hotspots,” high-biodiversity wilderness areas, as well as important marine regions around the globe. The group is also known for its partnerships with local non-governmental organizations and indigenous peoples. Ford has received numerous environmental awards, including the 2002 Global Environmental Citizen Award from Harvard Medical School. Among his many memorable film roles are as Han Solo in Star Wars, the Indiana Jones trilogy, Witness, The Fugitive, Air Force One and Regarding Henry. He received the 2018 Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award.

  • GILBERT M. GROSVENOR

    The legendary Gilbert Grosvenor is chairman of the National Geographic Society’s Education Foundation and is a member of the Society’s board of trustees. Grosvenor was president of National Geographic from 1980 to 1996, the fifth generation of his family to have served in that position. In 1975, Grosvenor created National Geographic World (now National Geographic Kids), a monthly magazine for children. In 1985 he launched an effort to improve geography education in the nation’s classrooms. The Society’s Geography Education Outreach division and its local partners have invested more than $110 million in improving geography in America’s K-12 schools. In June 2004 Grosvenor received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

  • IAIN DOUGLAS-HAMILTON, Ph.D.

    2010 Indianapolis Prize Winner and Founder & Senior Scientist, Save the Elephants

  • CARL HIAASEN

    Born and raised in Plantation, Florida (near Fort Lauderdale), Carl graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in journalism. After two years as a reporter for Cocoa Today out of Cocoa, Florida, he joined the Miami Herald in 1976, where he still works. From 1979 he turned to investigative journalism, concentrating on construction and property development – exposing schemes to destroy Florida’s natural beauty. Eventually, in the 1980s, he embarked on a career as a novelist. He co-wrote three thrillers with fellow-journalist Bill Montalbano – Powder Burn (1981), Trap Line (1981), and A Death in China (1986). After Montalbano became a foreign correspondent, Hiaasen wrote his first book, Tourist Season (1986) – introducing many of his distinctive styles and themes. Hiaasen’s fiction mirrors his concerns as a journalist and Floridian. His novels have been classified as “environmental thrillers” and are usually found on the crime shelves in bookshops, although they can just as well be read as mainstream satires of contemporary life.

  • CARL G. JONES, Ph.D.

    2016 Indianapolis Prize Winner and Chief Scientist, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

  • RUSSELL A. MITTERMEIER, Ph.D.

    2018 Indianapolis Prize Winner and Chief Conservation Officer, Re:wild

  • JOEL SARTORE

    Wildlife photographer and National Geographic Explorer Joel Sartore was named the 2023 Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador for his iconic, portrait photography of at-risk animals. In 2006, Sartore and National Geographic founded the Photo Ark project to inspire people to help protect at-risk species through documentary photography and videos. Sartore has captured 46,777 images and videos for the Photo Ark featuring more than 14,000 species (and counting). The project is estimated to take 30-years to complete. In 2023, Sartore collaborated with the United States Postal Service to release a special edition of Forever Stamps, featuring images from the Photo Ark. The stamps commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, first signed into law in Dec. 1973. Additionally, Sartore specializes in documenting biodiversity and landscapes around the world as a 30-year contributor for National Geographic, Audubon, The New York Times and Smithsonian. He received the 2023 Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award.

  • GEORGE B. SCHALLER, Ph.D.

    2008 Indianapolis Prize Winner

  • AMANDA VINCENT, Ph.D.

    2021 Indianapolis Prize Winner, Director & Co-Founder, Project Seahorse and Professor at the Institute for Oceans and Fisheries at The University of British Columbia

  • SIGOURNEY WEAVER

    Since her starring role as primatologist Dian Fossey in the 1988 film “Gorillas in the Mist,” Weaver has been an advocate for the mountain gorillas of Rwanda and serves as honorary chair of The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. In addition to her work with gorillas, Weaver earned further credibility as she joined other conservationists at the United Nations General Assembly in 2006 to call for a moratorium on high-seas bottom trawling and narrated the National Resources Defense Council’s “Acid Test,” a documentary exploring ocean acidification and its effects on key species in the food chain. Weaver continues to take roles that exemplify conservation action, including narrating BBC’s hit TV series “Planet Earth” and playing Dr. Grace Augustine in James Cameron’s 2009 blockbuster “Avatar.” Her involvement in conservation has earned several honors, including the Explorer’s Club Communication Award, Audubon’s Rachel Carson Award and in 2016 the Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award.

  • PATRICIA C. WRIGHT, Ph.D.

    2014 Indianapolis Prize Winner and Founder & Executive Director, the Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments and Centre ValBio

Indianapolis Prize Executive Committee - Chairs
  • Jeffrey A. Harrison — President & CEO of Citizens Energy Group

    Jeffrey A. Harrison is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Energy Group, responsible for establishing and maintaining the vision and strategic direction for the organization; ensuring a culture which maintains a strong focus on customer needs while demonstrating high regard for employees, teamwork, continual improvement, and integrity; ensuring operational and financial prowess; and ensuring a responsible commitment to the vitality and success of Central Indiana.

    Harrison has served the utility industry for more than 30 years.  He has held such positions as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Sustainability, Vice President of Capital Programs & Engineering, Vice President of Engineering and Facilities Management, Vice President Manufacturing, and Corporate Strategist.  Harrison has a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and an MBA from Indiana University.  He is a graduate of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Program, the Hoosier Fellows Program, and the Diversity Leadership Academy of Greater Indianapolis.

    Harrison serves on the Board of Directors for 16 Tech Community Corporation, 500 Festival, American Gas Association, Business Equity for Indy, Center for Leadership Development, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, FBI Indianapolis Citizens Academy Alumni Association, Goodwill Operating Board, Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Energy Association, Indiana Sports Corporation, Indianapolis Public Safety Foundation, Indianapolis Urban League, Indianapolis Zoo, Indy Chamber, IUPUI Board of Advisors, Marian University, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, The Nature Conservancy, United Way of Central Indiana, and YMCA.

  • Anne Nobles J.D. — Retired Senior Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, Eli Lilly and Co.

    Anne Nobles retired from Eli Lilly and Company after a 22-year career, where she last served as the Senior VP, Enterprise Risk Management and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer.  She holds a B.A. and M.A. in archaeology from Harvard University and a J.D.  from Georgetown University Law School. Currently, Anne serves as vice chair of the Board of Directors of Citizens Energy Group and member and former chair of the Board of Directors of Indiana University Health.   She is co-chair of the Indianapolis Prize, the world’s leading award for animal conservation and a member and former chair of the board of trustees of the Indiana chapter of The Nature Conservancy.  She is a member of the Committee of 200, an invitation-only membership organization of the world’s most successful women business leaders.  Anne was named among the “Most Influential Women in Indianapolis” by the Indianapolis Business Journal and the “Top 15 Women in Pharma” by Fierce Pharma. Anne lives with her husband, David Johnson, in Indianapolis.

  • Myrta J. Pulliam — Indianapolis Zoo Trustee

    Myrta Pulliam is the Chair of the Indianapolis Prize Executive Committee and was part of the group who created the award in 2006. She also serves on the board of the Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc. Pulliam’s philanthropic work spans local and global efforts, from conservation to investigative journalism. Following in footsteps of both her father and grandfather, she pursued roles at the Indianapolis Star newspaper, including being part of the Pulitzer Prize winning investigative team in 1975 and now as the director of special projects. With service throughout the Indianapolis community, Pulliam is also involved with the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Women’s Fund of Central Indiana, Depauw University, Queens University of Charlotte, Methodist Health Foundation and the Central Indiana Community Foundation.

Indianapolis Prize Executive Committee
  • Daniel C. Appel - Chairman, Gregory & Appel

    Dan Appel is the chairman at Gregory & Appel Insurance. Appel is the fourth-generation member of his family associated with the Indianapolis insurance agency of Gregory & Appel. He oversees some of the agency’s largest accounts, drawing on his extensive understanding of insurance and risk management. Dan is widely respected for his considerable community involvement with organizations such as Noble of Indiana and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. A Certified Insurance Counselor, Dan holds an Indiana Agents License. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Indiana University.

  • Mary Clare Broadbent — Civic Volunteer

    Mary Clare Broadbent is currently Chair of the 500 Festival Foundation Board of Directors, and she serves on the Board of Governors of the Indianapolis Art Museum. Extremely active in the community, Ms. Broadbent has also served on the boards of the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Park Tudor School, the Junior League of Indianapolis, the Civic Theatre, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Advisory Board of the Indianapolis Women’s Magazine, the Foundation Board of St. Vicnent’s Hospital and the Christamore Aid Society. She co-chaired the inaugural Zoobilation event at the Indianapolis Zoo and the National Figure Skating Championships, as well as chairing the opening and closing ceremonies of the Pan American Games, all in Indianapolis.

  • Mung Chiang Ph.D. - President, Purdue University

    Mung Chiang became the 13th president of Purdue University in January 2023. He served as the John A. Edwardson dean of the College of Engineering from July 2017 to June 2022 and as the executive vice president for strategic initiatives from April 2021 to December 2022. During his tenure as executive vice president, Chiang helped launch initiatives in national security technology and semiconductor and life science manufacturing; in Discovery Park District at Purdue’s aerospace cluster and the Lab to Life residential neighborhood; and in economic growth through federal, state and private-sector opportunities. Previously, Chiang was the Arthur LeGrand Doty Professor of Electrical Engineering at Princeton University, where he was the inaugural chairman of the Princeton Entrepreneurship Council and director of the Keller Center for Innovation in Engineering Education. He helped launch entrepreneurial programs at Princeton and was named a New Jersey CEO of the Year (2014). He received a BS (Honors) in electrical engineering and in mathematics and an MS and PhD in electrical engineering from Stanford University.

  • James M. Danko — President, Butler University

    In 2011, James Danko became the twenty-first president of Butler University. Prior to academia, he was an entrepreneur in Cleveland, Ohio. At age 19, he founded a medical equipment company, which was later expanded to a health-care and fitness provider. Danko taught entrepreneurship and held leadership roles with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Babson College and the University of Michigan. He served as the associate dean at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, and dean of Villanova School of Business. Through his first year as president of Butler, Danko has helped to establish the Butler Innovation Fund, and has led multiple institutional changes, including efforts to achieve net climate neutrality and athletic transitions. He has been an active participant in the global dialogue on higher education, and served as a founding board member and president of the MBA Roundtable, a member of the international board of the Graduate Management Admission Council, and has worked with political and corporate leaders to strengthen program opportunities for minority business owners. He received his bachelor’s degree in religious studies from John Carroll University and his master of business administration with high honors at the University of Michigan.

  • Lori Efroymson-Aguilera — Philanthropist

    In 1998, Lori Efroymson-Aguilera and her late husband, Dan, established the Efroymson Family Fund with a $90 million gift. Since Dan’s death in 1999, Lori and their two children, Jeremy and Elissa, have continued the family’s philanthropic tradition by providing support to charitable organizations throughout Indianapolis, the state of Indiana, and across the U.S. The Efroymson Family Fund, part of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, is one of the largest donor-advised funds in the United States, awarding more than $60 million to not-for-profit organizations. The Fund continues a long legacy of charitable commitment by the Efroymson family in Central Indiana. For 80 years, three generations – Gustave, Robert and Dan – served without interruption on The Indianapolis Foundation Board of Trustees. The family’s grant-making focus has been to improve the viability of Indianapolis and provide funds for the welfare of the disadvantaged; the natural environment; historic preservation; and the well-being of the Jewish people. Lori continues the tradition alongside her husband, the former Mexican Consul to Indianapolis, Sergio Aguilera. Lori Efroymson-Aguilera received her Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Education from Florida State University.

  • Daniel J. Elsener — President, Marian University

    Daniel Elsener became the eighth president of Marian University (formerly Marian College) on August 1, 2001. His academic preparation for his life in educational leadership began with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Nebraska Wesleyan University, a master’s degree in education administration from the University of Nebraska, and other graduate level work from Kansas State University, Washburn University, Wichita State University, Kansas Newman University, St. Meinrad, and various other programs continuing education programs. Prior to serving at Marian University, Elsener served as a teacher; high school principal; superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Wichita in Kansas; Secretary/Executive Director for Stewardship and Development and Secretary/Executive Director, Office of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis; and just prior to Marian as Executive Director of the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation and Project E Indiana. In addition to serving on the Marian University Board of Trustees, Elsener has been asked to serve as a member – and in some cases as chair – of many community boards and executive committees. Currently, he serves on the following boards: Chairman of St. Vincent Health (a $3 billion healthcare organization), Indianapolis Power & Light Company, Indiana Chamber, Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee and Executive Committee, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and Executive Committee, The Indiana Academy, Council of Presidents for the Crossroads League, Council of Presidents for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, Independent Colleges of Indiana, Center for Leadership Development, Teach For America, and Orchard School (Governors). In all of these roles, Elsener has developed a reputation of being committed to improving education for all children, young adults, and adult learners. He is committed to raising funds for disadvantaged students, one of the highlights of his service. In addition, he is committed to programs that advance the academic achievement through better teacher and principal preparedness.

  • Suzanne M. Fehsenfeld — Founder of ESCAPE Foundation, Inc. & Mara Elephant Project

    Suzanne Fehsenfeld founded ESCAPE Foundation, Inc. in 2011 from her passion for wildlife conservation with a global vision. Her frequent African travels to the Maasai Mara inspired ESCAPE’s first boots on the ground initiative, Mara Elephant Project, which she founded to protect the region’s African elephants. Suzanne possesses both a global and local lens. Her commitment to wildlife conservation prevails globally through her work with Tusk Trust and Stop Ivory and in Indiana as a founder member of the Indianapolis Zoo.

  • Anton H. George — Owner, Vision Investments, LLC

    Tony George has had the privilege of serving many of Indiana’s great institutions in the past 25 years. In addition to serving as President and CEO, he has been a member of the board of Hulman & Company and its subsidiaries, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He serves on the boards of Vectren Corporation, First Financial Corporation, Deep Vein Coal Company, Princeton Mining Company, and R.J. Oil Company. A native of Terre Haute, he serves on the Foundation Board of his Alma Mater, Indiana State University, and the Board of Trustees of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, as well as on the boards of the Riley Children’s Foundation and the United States Auto Club. Mr. George has been honored with a Sagamore of the Wabash, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Business Leader of the Year Award, the Autosport Pioneering & Innovation Award, and the Formula One Constructors Association Award. He and his wife Laura live in Indianapolis. They have three children and five grandchildren.

  • Sean L. Huddleston, Ph.D.— President, Martin University

    Sean L. Huddleston began his presidency as Martin University’s 5th president on March 25, 2019. Dr. Huddleston’s entire career in higher education has been focused on leading institutional efforts that create conditions of success for nontraditional students and those who have been historically underrepresented and underserved. Prior to joining Martin University, Dr. Huddleston served as the inaugural Vice President and Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer for the University of Indianapolis. In this role, Dr. Huddleston led system-wide efforts that enhanced institutional excellence through the design, implementation, and assessment of institutional diversity, inclusion, and equity initiatives.

    Dr. Huddleston held similar roles at Framingham State University and Grand Valley State University and has taught various courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

    Dr. Huddleston’s educational experiences have focused on non-traditional, adult learners in higher education. As a returning adult student, he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree (B.A.) from Siena Heights University. He later earned a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Adult and Higher Education and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Leadership degree from Grand Valley University. Dr. Huddleston completed his doctorate in Community College Leadership at Ferris State University. Dr. Huddleston has also received professional certifications from Cornell University and Dartmouth College.

  • Michael S. Maurer — Chairman of the Board, The National Bank of Indianapolis

    Mickey’s career as an attorney and entrepreneur has included cable television, film production, radio broadcasting, newspaper publishing and banking. An Indianapolis native, Mickey attended the University of Colorado and graduated with a B.S. in accounting. He serves on the Board of Visitors of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado. Mickey attended Indiana University School of Law where he received a J.D. in 1967. In 2008, the school was renamed Indiana University Maurer School of Law. He is admitted to both the New York and the Indiana Bars. Mickey serves as Chairman of the Board of IBJ Media, which owns the Indianapolis Business Journal, Court and Commercial Record, and The Indiana Lawyer. Mickey serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of The National Bank of Indianapolis, a financial institution he founded in 1993. In 2001, Mickey established “Mickey’s Camp,” a charitable endeavor that has raised more than $1,000,000 for Central Indiana charities. In 2005, Mickey was named President of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., and in 2006, Mickey served as Indiana Secretary of Commerce. Mickey enjoys leadership through active participation as a director of numerous businesses, civic, education and philanthropic organizations.

  • Geoffrey Mearns — President of Ball State University

    President Geoffrey S. Mearns serves as the 17th president of Ball State University.

    After joining the University in May 2017, President Mearns helped to develop a new strategic plan. Destination 2040: Our Flight Path establishes a long-range vision for the University that sets priorities across five key areas: undergraduate excellence, graduate education and lifetime learning, community engagement and impact, scholarship and societal impact, and institutional and inclusive excellence.

    During his tenure, President Mearns has pursued initiatives that have produced the largest freshman class in history and increased alumni engagement and fundraising. President Mearns has also strengthened the University’s relationship with the community, most notably through its innovative partnership with Muncie Community Schools.

    President Mearns earned his undergraduate degree in English from Yale University and a law degree from the University of Virginia. After a legal career that included serving as a federal prosecutor, President Mearns held academic and administrative roles at Cleveland State University, and then he served as president of Northern Kentucky University. He and his wife, Jennifer, have five children.

  • Samuel L. Odle — Senior Policy Advisor, Bose Public Affairs Group, LLC

    Sam Odle most recently served as the chief operating officer of Indianapolis-based IU Health and held the position of CEO of both Methodist Hospital and University Hospital. He retired in July 2012 after a career that started as vice president of operations at Methodist Hospital in 1981. As senior policy adviser at the Bose Public Affairs Group, Odle works with clients on a variety of public policy issues that will include health care and the life sciences. Active in the community, Odle is involved with numerous organizations including the Boy Scouts of America and the United Way of Central Indiana. In 2008, Odle served as chairman of the United Way fundraising campaign which raised nearly $39 million. He has been recognized on several occasions for both his professional and community service. In 2011, Odle received the prestigious Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee “Charles L. Whistler Award” for his visionary and enthusiastic leadership in serving the community and also his success in bringing together the public and private sectors for civic improvement in Indianapolis. Odle was inducted into the Indiana Business Hall of Fame in 2007.

  • Kerry N. Prather — President, Franklin College

    Kerry Prather serves as President of Franklin College.

    Over the duration of his 37-year Franklin College career, Prather has served as assistant dean of students, associate director of admissions, acting vice president for enrollment management and acting vice president for administration. For much of his career, he has served in executive leadership positions, including as a Cabinet officer in four administrations. Prather was named Acting President in January 2020.

    He joined the Franklin College staff in 1982 as the assistant men’s basketball coach and was promoted to head coach the following year. He was named Director of Athletics in 1989. Under his leadership, Franklin College expanded athletic opportunities for students to the current level of 21 intercollegiate sports and upgraded and built new athletic facilities throughout the campus.

    In November 2018, Prather achieved his 500th career coaching victory. In total, he has guided the Grizzlies to five conference championships, four league tournament titles, five appearances in the NCAA Division III national tournament and one in the NAIA national tournament.

    He is a graduate of Indiana University with an undergraduate degree in English and a master’s degree in education. In 1999, he was named an associate alumnus of Franklin College in recognition of his longtime service and contributions.

     

  • Tanuja Singh, Ph.D. - President, University of Indianapolis

    Tanuja Singh became president of the University of Indianapolis in July 2023. She previously served as the Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at Loyola University New Orleans. Dr. Singh’s career includes positions at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX, where she was the Dean of its Greehey School of Business for 11 years, and at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL, where over the course of 13 years she held various academic and administrative roles, including department chair and professor of marketing. Dr. Singh earned her doctorate in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL, her MBA from Millsaps College in Jackson, MS, and her M.Sc. in Physics from University of Allahabad in India.

  • Jeffrey H. Smulyan — Chairman of the Board, EMMIS Communications Corporation

    Jeffrey H. Smulyan serves as Chairman of the Board of Emmis Communications Corporation, an Indianapolis–based radio, TV and magazine publishing company. A cum laude graduate of the University of Southern California with a B.A. in History and Telecommunications, Smulyan earned a J. D. from USC School of Law. Smulyan formed and became principal shareholder of Emmis in 1980. A public company since 1994, Emmis owns and operates 20 FM and 2 AM radio stations in the nation’s largest markets; six local, regional and national magazine operations; and radio stations in Slovakia and Bulgaria. A former director of the National Association of Broadcasters and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Radio Advertising Bureau, Mr. Smulyan sits on the Board of Trustees of the University of Southern California. He is a member of numerous civic boards and committees. He received the American Women in Radio and Television’s Star Award in 1994 and the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Ernst & Young the following year. In 1994, Smulyan was named by The White House to head the U.S. Delegation to the Plenipotentiary Conference of the International Telecommunications Union. As a United States Ambassador, he represented the U.S. in various bilateral meetings, negotiating a landmark agreement between Israel and the PLO. In 2004, he was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame. Among many other honors, Smulyan has received the State of Indiana’s “Sagamore of the Wabash” and was inducted into the Indiana Business Hall of Fame.

  • Pete S. Ward — Vice President, Operating Officer, Indianapolis Colts

    Pete Ward has been a part of the Indianapolis Colts since a 1981 internship with the team’s public relations department. He graduated from the University or Virginia in 1982 and was then hired as the club’s administrative assistant. In March 1984 he was promoted to director of operations, and was named vice president in 1997. Ward was able to serve as the point-person on both the design and construction of Lucas Oil Stadium. He also served as the team’s liaison for Super Bowl XLVI. He was named chairman of Indiana University’s Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center in 2012. Ward also serves as a board member to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Indiana Convention and Visitors Association, and the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce.

  • Lori S. White, Ph.D. — President, DePauw University

    Lori S. While is the 21st President of DePauw University. Most recently, she was the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and a Professor of Practice at Washington University in St. Louis. At DePauw, she also holds the rank of professor of education. She is the first woman and the first person of color to serve as DePauw’s president.

    Dr. White has spent 30 years working in higher education. Prior to her arrival at Washington University she served as the Vice President for Student Affairs and clinical professor of education at Southern Methodist University, and has also worked at the University of Southern California, Stanford, Georgetown and San Diego State Universities, and University of California, Irvine.

    Dr. White is active nationally in several higher education organizations and has served on the Board of Directors for the Association for Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and for the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Foundation. In 2009 she was named a Pillar of the Profession by NASPA. Dr. White was chair of the NASPA Board of Directors for 2016-2017.

    Dr. White’s areas of emphasis in research and teaching include the student experience in higher education and the preparation and mentorship of new, mid-level and aspiring senior student affairs professionals. She is the author of a number of articles and book chapters and has presented widely at professional meetings.

    Born and raised in San Francisco, CA., Dr. White earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and English from the University of California, Berkeley and a Ph.D. from Stanford University in education administration and policy analysis, with emphasis in higher education. She also participated in Harvard University’s Management and Leadership in Education Program.

  • Pamela S. Whitten, Ph.D. — President, Indiana University

    Pamela Whitten became the 19th president of Indiana University on July 1, 2021.

    A visionary scholar and accomplished educator and researcher, Whitten has held a variety of leadership roles, beginning at Michigan State University where she served as a dean for five years, and most recently as president of Kennesaw State University.

    As IU’s first female president, Whitten assumes the helm at one of the nation’s leading research universities at a time of record-level research funding and philanthropic support.

    Whitten holds a Ph.D. in communication studies from the University of Kansas, a Master of Arts in communication from the University of Kentucky and a Bachelor of Science in management from Tulane University. She is an internationally recognized expert in the field of telemedicine. As part of her work in higher education, she additionally held leadership roles at the University of Georgia and the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Karen E. Burns Executive Vice President, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.

Jeffrey A. Harrison President & CEO, Citizens Energy Group

Laura Mays Director of Special Events, Mays Entertainment LLC

Emily Garrett Director of Public Relations, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.

Anne Nobles, MA, JD Retired Senior Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, Eli Lilly and Co.

Myrta J. Pulliam Indianapolis Zoo Trustee

Robert W. Shumaker, Ph.D., President & CEO, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.

Liana Mitchell Wallace Director of the Indianapolis Prize, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.

John Ketzenberger The Nature Conservancy
Susan Williams Community Leader

Deborah J. Daniels Community Leader
Catherine A. Langham
 Langham Logistics, Inc.
Mark D. Miles Penske Entertainment

Kristi Lee The BOB & TOM Show
Matt Mays 
Mays Entertainment LLC
D. Mark McCoy, Ph.D. Princeton Entertainment Group
Brian Solomon Markey’s
Patrick Rhoda Markey’s
Adam Rife Markey’s

Elizabeth Ahlgrim Community Volunteer
Kristin Kraemer Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.
Rick Schonberg Community Volunteer

Kate Appel, Community Leader Laura Mays, Mays Entertainment LLC
Mary Clare, Broadbent Community Leader Lisa McKinney, Bose McKinney & Evans LLP
Karen E. Burns, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc. Alliy Moyer, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.
Weezie (Louise) Combs, Community Leader Anne Nobles, Community Leader
Cheri Dick, Community Leader Myrta J. Pulliam, Indianapolis Zoo Trustee
Carolyn Eck, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc. April Sasso, Community Leader
Nancy Elder, Community Leader Roxane Shriver, Community Leader
Suzanne M. Fehsenfeld, Globe Foundation Robert W. Shumaker, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.
Trey Fehsenfeld, Kobe Foundation Jessica Smith, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.
Claire Fiddian-Green, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation Bill Street, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.
Caitlyn Foye, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc. Douglas L. Tillman, Community Leader
Emily Garrett, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc. Liana Mitchell Wallace, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.
Rebecca Hancock, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc. Annie Wells, Community Leader
Jeffrey A. Harrison, Citizen’s Energy Group Mike Wells, REI Real Estate Services LLC
Nancy Hunt, Community Leader Amy Willis, The Institute for Liberal Studies
Chastin Irwin, VOX Global
Michelle Kolar, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.
Mike Marker, VOX Global