SPEAKERS

  • @catlinwhite

    Supported by a team of professionals, and a steering committee of civic and business leaders, Whitington has shepherded the organization’s leadership through transition into a public / private partnership. Drawing on his experience as an event professional and his study of the relationship between the creative sector, public policy, and urban environments, ArtPrize has been reinvigorated as an iconic event.

    Before moving to Grand Rapids in 2023, he served as the VP of Operations for the Long Center for the Performing Arts, as a Senior Planner with South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals, as Chair of the Austin Tourism Commission, and as an advisor for creative and cultural policy issues for various organizations and elected officials.

  • Ben Glenn is an award-winning artist, speaker and author. He has been a full-time speaker for almost 30 years, traveling all over the United States and around the globe. His story of growing up as a learning disabled student with ADHD, as well as his amazing live art demonstration has inspired thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds and earned him the moniker, "The Chalkguy". He is the author of "Simply Special: How I Learned toLove ADHD" and the founder of the Chalkguy LEGO drive.

  • @susan.batch

    Susan Batchelder, Ph.D. is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Susan has been teaching at the Kelley School of Business for 14 years. She teaches entrepreneurship and corporate innovation to undergraduate students and graduate students in the full-time and online MBA and MSM programs. In addition, Susan is the co-director of the Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Workshop and the co-advisor for the Kelley Direct MBA Women in Business Chapter.

    Susan was inducted into the Faculty Academy of Excellence in Teaching at Indiana University in 2022. She earned an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Ph.D. from Indiana University in Instructional Systems Technology where she studied case-based instruction in entrepreneurship education. She is a licensed real estate broker and was the co-owner of a residential real estate firm for 17 years.

  • LinkedIn: Vince Kadlubeck

    Vince Kadlubek is a Founder of Meow Wolf, an art collective that has transformed into an award winning Art and Entertainment Production Company that specializes in immersive, open-world walk through experiences.

    Vince acted as leader and CEO for Meow Wolf though its formidable years, having created the business plan for Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return and leading the team towards the project's completion in March of 2016. In January of 2017 Kadlubek formed Meow Wolf, Inc as a full fledged arts production company and creative studio positioned to create the largest, most innovative, audacious, and monumental art exhibits in the world. After raising series A funding he announced two new Meow Wolf exhibits in Las Vegas and Denver, which both opened in 2021.

    Kadlubek has been a force of vision in the realm of experiential art, and in 2020 launched a creative consulting agency called Spatial Activations as a platform to usher in a new era of experiential art in modern developments and everyday life. Vince is most passionate about co-creating fully-realized alternative realities that bring paradigm shifting transformation and inspiration to the world.


  • @Bridgewaycapital

    As Chief Programs Officer, Adam’s leadership of Bridgeway Capital’s small business support team fosters an environment open to innovation and directed by a collective vision. Before his tenure at Bridgeway, Adam was the Executive Director of Touchstone Center for Crafts where he managed a wide range of activities including marketing, development, and program design.

    Adam also served as the Manager of Operations for the Arts Education Collaborative, an arts education advocacy organization under the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. In addition, he possesses 25 years of experience as a professional glassmaker in production and academic settings.

    Before transitioning into his current CPO role, Adam built Bridgeway’s Creative Business Accelerator, Monmade, PG&H, ACRE, and ORIGINS programs, which support thousands of creative businesses across the region and channel the Bridgeway’s economic development capabilities into the regional creative economy. Adam earned a BA in History from Centre College, and graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Master of Art Management degree.

  • IG: @mmwebbsr / X @MMWSr

    Marlon Webb is a manager of government consulting with KSM. Marlon leverages his expertise in economic development, real estate development consulting, incentives management, and project management to provide strategic support to government clients at the local, state, and federal levels.

    Drawing on his experience across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, he helps clients efficiently oversee projects, programs, grants, and various levels of public funding to maximize impact. His approach combines technical precision with a focus on fostering sustainable economic growth and community development. Marlon’s leadership ensures that government initiatives align with organizational goals while delivering measurable results.

  • IG: @mvanorg

    Chris’ company Bona Fide Live supports live experiences for a range of clients including festivals, corporate initiatives, one-off live events, media companies, venues, and private clients. He is Director of Touring for the non-profit incubator Midtopia; and a co-founder in the start-up, D Tour, which is reimagining touring for independent artists.

    Chris founded, owned, and operated several independent music venues; is a founding member of the National Independent Venue Association, where he currently serves as TN Chapter President; and co-founded Music Venue Alliance Nashville of which he is acting Director.

  • Alyssa Woolard is the Director of Economic Development for the Town of Plainfield. She holds an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University and a BA in Political Science from Indiana State University.

    Alyssa previously served as the Associate Director of Economic & Redevelopment for the City of Madison, where she played a critical role in major development projects and secured significant grant funding. She has a strong track record in fostering private-public partnerships, leveraging collaboration between government entities and private stakeholders to drive impactful community development.

    Currently, Alyssa is focused on advancing Plainfield’s growth through initiatives that emphasize quality of place, community development, art, entertainment, experiential opportunities, and community marketing. Her expertise in managing complex projects positions her as a key leader in shaping and executing strategic initiatives that drive Plainfield’s growth, development and vibrancy.

  • @Josh_lap

    Josh is the Principal and Co-Founder of Designing Local with a focus on all things culture, from public art to historic preservation and beyond. He has led numerous projects around the country focused on preserving and expanding cultural ecosystems. This is expressed in a multitude of physical and policy improvements.

    Project components that Josh has led have focused on multifaceted issues from the bureaucratic—conceptualizing and implementing new funding streams, and creating policy frameworks and guidelines. To the physical—analyzing cultural infrastructure needs, facilitating artist selection and implementation, and preserving historic buildings. No matter the project, the real end goal is almost always the same: delivering better cultural experiences for community members.

    Josh has overseen more than 25 large-scale arts and culture planning initiatives across the US, developed broad public engagement opportunities for public art master plans and cultural plans, and managed more than 50 historic preservation projects including 30+ state and federal historic tax credits in Ohio and Kentucky — amounting to more than $70 million investment in historic buildings alone. His broad knowledge of planning-related issues is frequently called upon to move cultural initiatives forward.

  • @thehowlinwolfnola

    Since 2000, Howie Kaplan has been the owner and operator of the multi-room venue, the Howlin' Wolf in New Orleans. For almost 20 years he has also been the manager of the Grammy Award Winning Rebirth Brass Band. He was the Founding Director of the Mayors Office of Nighttime Economy for the birthplace of modern music, New Orleans.

    Howie is also the vice chair of advocacy for the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) that was responsible for the $16.25 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) and was crucial in saving independent venues, movie theaters, Broadway, Performing Arts Centers and non-profits that were devastated through the pandemic closures.

    At the beginning of the Covid-19 shutdowns he started Meals for Musicians. This program, in conjunction with the New Orleans Musicians Clinic was responsible for distributing over 60,000 meals and assisting culture bearers and first responders in accessing health care, housing assistance and unemployment payments. Mr. Kaplan also received the SBA Phoenix award for his efforts after Hurricane Ida severed all power to the city. Working with supplies donated from over 100 restaurants and hundreds of volunteers, they created over 20,000 meals in eight days in a makeshift street kitchen.

  • Kavita Mahoney (she/her) is the Vice President at the Indy Arts Council. She leads the innovation, delivery, and growth of the Arts Council’s mission impact through strategic, collaborative leadership and operational oversight of programs and services engaging artists, organizations, and community partners. Her background includes over 15 years of experience working with artists & culture workers, community & neighborhood organizations, and civic partners to integrate equitable arts strategies across multiple sectors and improve the quality of life for all. As part of her community-based work, Kavita has developed and collaborated on action-oriented DEI initiatives for neighborhood groups, government institutions, and cultural organizations including Indy Parks, City of Indianapolis, BlackSpace Indianapolis, Garfield Park Neighbors Association, and the South Indy Quality of Life Plan.

    Kavita holds a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and History of Art and a master’s degree in Museum Studies from Indiana University, where she graduated with high honors and was selected as the Chancellor’s Scholar for her graduating class. She has held positions at both local and national museums and art centers, including Newfields, Smithsonian Institution’s Freer and Sackler galleries in the Museum of Asian Art, the Indiana State Museum, and the Indiana Historical Society. Kavita was also a 2019-2020 Arts & Culture Leaders of Color Fellow for Americans for the Arts and a 2020 Indy’s Best & Brightest finalist.

  • Michael Husain is the director, writer and co-producer of current documentaries “The Waiting Game” and “The Sugarman”. He is the founder of Good Vibes Media and the winner of multiple National SportsEmmy Awards for his documentary work. Michael has created over 200 hours of documentary and non-fiction television including the ESPN "30 for 30" short "Slick, Nancy and the Telethon", multiple episodes of A&E’s American Justice and Biography series, disaster, medical and lifestyle programming for Discovery Networks, along with work for The History Channel, VH-1, HGTV, PBS, and his own independent films, including the 2022 award winner, "The Addict’s Wake".

  • Jordan Adams, a native of Indianapolis, is a versatile professional with a deep passion for the arts that developed early in her life. She attended Broad Ripple Magnet High School for Arts & Humanities and later earned a Bachelors of Technology degree from Purdue University in Organizational Leadership and Supervision, with a minor in Communications. Jordan's career has encompassed a variety of roles in marketing and communications, project management, and human resources, working in non-profits, young start-ups, and private companies. Her commitment to volunteerism, public service, community engagement, and entrepreneurship is evident in all her endeavors.

    Jordan joined the Indiana Arts Commission in April of 2022 as the Artist Services Program Manager. In this role, she oversees the agency’s programming for artists, including the On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator. On-Ramp is a three-day course that teaches entrepreneurship to artists and creative professionals by focusing on a portfolio career and the study of key business concepts. Program participants are encouraged to pursue a community-engaged artistic practice and are given the chance to apply for up to $2,000 to put the lessons into action.

    She also just completed a year-long assessment where she led a collaborative team of researchers and arts leaders to evaluate the needs of artists around the state during 11 robust listening sessions and a subsequent survey that received nearly 600 responses. The insights from this assessment have led to the development of six distinct programs and services, through both community building and business development suites. These initiatives will be piloted with an iterative approach from 2025 to 2027.

    When she's not immersed in her professional endeavors, Jordan loves spending quality time with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. She enjoys attending new events and experiences around central Indiana, always eager to explore and connect with her community.

  • Data analyst, computer science student (graduating Fall 2025) and creator of Wesley’s Project, a full-stack data platform that uses Python, SQL, and ETL pipelines to deliver interactive maps and reports on the creative economy.

  • Julie Heath is the inaugural Executive Director of IU Innovates, Indiana University’s system-wide initiative to support and accelerate entrepreneurship through student-led startup hubs, sponsorship of IU entrepreneurship resources, and impact storytelling.

    Creativity, innovation, and impact networks are interlaced throughout her work at the university and nationally. Heath serves on the leadership council of the ESHIP Alliance, a new network collectively designed to advance entrepreneurship ecosystem building as a valued practice, a trusted profession, and as a model for economic health and community wellbeing in the United States.

    Between 2021 and 2023, Heath developed the state of Indiana's first entrepreneurship ecosystem strategy, which included new economic impact data, storytelling, a statewide inventory of resources, and ecosystem navigators. Prior to working for Indiana's Secretary of Commerce, she led a nonprofit entrepreneur support organization with a mission to remove barriers for aspiring founders. This work was informed by her leadership roles at two social impact tech startups.

    Heath's career began with intra-preneurship at the Smithsonian Institution, including the launch of the Lunder Conservation Center at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. She received her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of New Hampshire, where she focused on figurative work on oversized paper. Her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art is from the University of California, Davis, where she studied with Wayne Thiebaud and faculty connected to the Bay Area Figurative movement.

    She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, spent fifteen years on the East Coast, and now splits her time between Indianapolis and Bloomington, Indiana.

  • Sarah Jenkins serves as Vice President of Marketing at Hunden Partners. She leads the firm’s marketing, communications, and brand strategy, supporting business development and strengthening Hunden’s visibility across markets. Sarah oversees the firm’s content strategy, brand positioning, and client and partner engagement initiatives.

    With a foundation in arts administration and nonprofit management, Sarah brings a creative and analytical perspective to Hunden’s work on arts, culture, and entertainment projects. Her experience in these sectors enhances the firm’s ability to communicate the community and economic value of cultural projects.

    Before joining Hunden, Sarah held leadership roles in university and nonprofit marketing, management, and fundraising. Her background also includes work in recruitment, onboarding, and organizational culture—experience that informs her approach to aligning Hunden’s brand, people, and purpose.

    Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in Dance Performance and an MBA in Arts Administration, both from Illinois State University.

  • Dax Norton was born and raised in Muncie, Indiana where he graduated from Ball State University with an education focused on History and Political Science. He completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1995. Dax’s professional life has focused on small business development, not-for-profit board development and management and community development. For the last 20 years, Dax’ has been a leader in the areas of economic development and government management, policy development, not-for-profit management and board development. He has worked for multiple municipalities and not-for-profit boards and has focused on the development and financial strength of the organizations managed by those boards.

    He was appointed to an Indiana state government position in 2013 as the leader. Following his time with the Indiana state government, Dax lead the government of the Town of Whitestown, Indiana, as Town Manager. Whitestown was the fastest growing community in Indiana during his tenure. Dax is now the Town Manager of the Town of Bargersville.

    He has a long history of policy development and advocacy at the state level and years of experience with board membership and development, including board member positions with the National Organization for Disorders of the Corpus Collosum (NODCC), Boone County United Way, Zionsville Lions Club, Blackford County Rotary Club, Witham Hospital Foundation, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Association of Engineers, Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM) and the Boys and Girls Club. He is a firm believer in the principles and pillars of Servant Leadership.

    He enjoys recorded music and boasts a vinyl record collection of more than 2000 records. He also enjoys hiking out west, visiting national parks, reading non-fiction and has a goal to visit every MLB baseball park. Dax will soon be moving to Bargersville, Indiana, with his wife Kelly Norton and two adult daughters Trista and Charlee.

  • Richard is in his second term as Mayor of the city of Huntington. Originally from Michigan, he moved to Indiana in 2001 to attend Huntington University, where he earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree with a focus on cross-cultural studies, Bible, and pastoral studies. Before becoming Mayor, Richard served on the Huntington City Council, representing District 3. He also worked on the national staff of Love In the Name of Christ as the Associate Director of New and Transitioning Affiliates. Prior to that, he served for 11 years as a pastor at St. Peter’s First Community Church.

  • Angela Workman is READI Finance Manager at the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership. She recently celebrated her one year anniversary with the Partnership working with projects receiving READI funding. Prior to the Partnership, she was Vice President, Program at the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County where she was employed for almost 25 years. In that role, she lead the administration of the Indiana Arts Commission Regional Arts Partnership.

  • Kevin Shaw Kellems is a believer in the economic value of the arts, culture and history who specializes in executive counsel, strategic communications and economic development.

    As a founding member of the Our Southern Indiana Regional Development Authority, Kellems has spent the past decade focused on the economic development of Clark, Floyd, Jefferson, Scott and Washington counties. Previously Kellems held senior posts at the White House, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Senate, The World Bank, and in state and local government.
    A fifth-generation farm owner, Kevin’s interests include rural development, entrepreneurship, local history, heritage tourism and live music, particularly in “Indiana’s Music City” – Madison.

    Kellems earned an M.A. in national security studies from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and a B.A. in journalism from The Ohio State University. Kevin is a recipient of the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service – the highest civilian award presented by the Secretary of Defense

  • LinkedIn: Sara A. Peterson

    Sara has been a consultant for forever.

    A recovered attorney and once-and-future-musician, she has assisted organizations nationwide with their board, planning, facilitation, evaluation, and organizational assessments needs.

    The bulk of her portfolio is with arts and culture nonprofits, local government, and – on her best days – where the two meet. Speaking of which, Sara has worked with Cultural Districts, developed strategic plans for state arts agencies, built public arts guidelines, and so much more.

    Sara understands and adapts to the needs of the group in front of her. She is as comfortable working with volunteers to start an organization as she is with seasoned professionals turning around an organization in crisis, with a City Council in chambers or backstage at an arts nonprofit.

    Consultant + hopeless romantic for the power of NPOs, government & the arts to save the world. Sara is committed to your success without judgment, unlocking a better future - together​​.

    www.SaraPetersonConsulting.com | www.TransformingCommunities.art

  • Carrie Lambert is the Executive Director of the Indiana Tourism Association, focusing on statewide and national member advocacy, destination promotion, professional development and their impact on communities and the overall Indiana economy through strategic planning, annual conference and the Indiana Tourism Academy.

    Before this role, Carrie served as the Director of Marketing for the Office of Indiana Tourism Development and in various roles at Conner Prairie. Carrie and her husband Ryan live in Indianapolis with their daughter Maggie.

  • Jim Rawlinson is the Director of READI and leads a number of redevelopment initiatives at the IEDC including the Redevelopment Tax Credits program and READI, as well as the Lilly Endowment Inc. funded grants initiatives around Blight Reduction & Redevelopment, and Arts and Culture. The READI program invests over $1 billion into quality of life projects across the state of Indiana. Jim has over a decade of experience in economic development, having spent time with the City of Indianapolis, as well as the Veridus Group. He has led and been a part of a number of creative economies initiatives including the creation of Film Indy, Music Crossroads, Musical Family Tree, the Indy Music Strategy, managing COVID related grants funding for Indianapolis Music Venues, and more. Jim received his Masters of Public Administration from Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, where he currently serves as Adjunct Faculty.


  • Brian Payne is the Co-Founder and Principal of CARVE: Creative Strategies and Executive Coaching. Prior to that he was the President and CEO of The Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) and The Indianapolis Foundation from 2000 to 2023 where he lead the creation of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick and lead a community-wide conversation on dismantling system racism in Central Indiana. The first half of Payne's career was running resident professional theatre companies including the Indiana Repertory Theatre. He is a staunch believer in the power of the arts, and creativity to bring people together and build understanding, empathy and community. He has been a keynote speaker throughout the United States and Canada on building quality of life and quality of place through creativity, the arts and racial justice.