Author: Indy Rotary

David L. Johnson was elected President and CEO of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) in December 2012. CICP is a unique, nationally-recognized, strategic collaboration of business executives, philanthropic leaders and university presidents brought together to develop initiatives, investments and projects that advance regional prosperity.

Johnson also served as President and CEO of CICP’s BioCrossroads life sciences initiative from 2005 to 2018. Among Johnson’s many accomplishments at BioCrossroads are his work raising nearly $400 million in philanthropic, corporate and venture capital funding; organizing and spearheading the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute and the development of the 16 Tech Innovation Community, and forging unique collaborations to advance the national prominence of the region’s life sciences and other technology-driven sectors.

Johnson is a frequent speaker and source on industry cluster initiatives and civic leadership and collaboration, with his work cited extensively in recent books such as The New Localism – How Cities Can Thrive in the Age of Populism and The Oxford Handbook of Local Competitiveness. Johnson is an honors graduate of Harvard University, Harvard Law School and Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.

All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

Gregory Porter, State Representative of the Indiana General Assembly, will join us on Tuesday at Rotary. He is currently the ranking minority member of the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee. He is also a member of the Insurance and Public Health committees as well as serving as a voting member of the Indiana State Budget Committee.

Porter serves as Chair of the Kennedy King Memorial Initiative Board which strives to reflect on, learn from and apply today’s challenges, the lives, words and lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy. He will be discussing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King in Indianapolis.

Porter is a native of Indianapolis, a graduate of Shortridge High School and holds a bachelor of arts degree from Earlham College. He graduated from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Program in 2001 and served on the Harvard Working Group on Early Childhood Science and Policy. He has an honorary doctorate degree from Martin University, Indianapolis.

All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

James M. Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, will join us on Tuesday at Rotary. James began his tenure in Indianapolis on April 30th, 2018 and in his highly visible role is tasked with advancing the ISO’s mission by establishing the organization’s strategic plan and marshalling the human and financial capital to achieve success. These successes include managing the financial resources of the orchestra, which includes subscription series, special concerts, media projects, performances at both the Hilbert Circle Theatre and Conner Prairie venues, and community engagement that reaches more than 150.000 patrons, students, and community members annually.

Prior to this role, James served as President and Chief Executive Officer at the Omaha Symphony managing the human and financial resources of the orchestra, which offers subscription series, special concerts, media projects and community engagement programs that reach more than 150,000 patrons, students, and community members annually. Before his appointment in Omaha in 2011, James Johnson served as the Chief Executive Officer of The New York Pops, and in operations for the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and Martha Graham Dance Company. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Pacific Lutheran University, and a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Southern Methodist University

All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

Nick Smarrelli, CEO of GadellNet Consulting Services, will share the exclusive and innovative programs that have powered the rise of the 6-time Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company. He’ll explain how the IT consulting firm has instituted Leadership Academy (a 6-month training program currently in its 3rd class) and Blue Buddy (a mentor program that has resulted in sky-high onboarding scores for new hires). Attendees will learn new ways to make the employee experience a boon to retention and brand.

GadellNet has offices in both St. Louis and Indianapolis. GadellNet, a 6-time Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company with nearly 75 employees in the Midwest, is a small business outsourced IT consulting firm. The IT Industry in the Midwest has a 40% turnover rate, but GadellNet proudly boasted an 8% turnover rate (both voluntary and involuntary) across both its offices in 2017. The key to their cultural success was the formulation of a very clear set of values that serve as the backbone for nearly every management decision – recruiting, interviewing, performance management. communication, strategic prioritization and compensation.

These values have become more than just words on a wall, but a way of thinking and acting in the company – allowing for individual contributions and diversity of ideas – but, inspired by a common ethos.

Nick has a degree in Psychology and a degree in Finance from St. Louis University. He ran National Account sales for Ingersoll Rand before realizing his passion for entrepreneurship in 2010. Nick is an Ironman athlete, ultramarathon runner, father, and has been a featured technology speaker for chambers of commerce, large national associations, national non-profits, and numerous industry technology conventions.

Jennifer Pope Baker, Executive Director of Women’s Fund of Central Indiana since 1998, has dedicated her career to creating transformative and sustainable change for women and girls. Under her leadership, Women’s Fund has become the expert resource for issues impacting women and girls in central Indiana and a leader in seeking solutions in helping emerging adult women move from economic instability to economic security.

Jennifer led the Fund’s endowment growth from $3 million to its current total of nearly $16 million and has implemented a “best-practices” grant-making process with a focus on research that has resulted in distributions of over $6 million to 109 effective women and girl serving organizations.

Jennifer is active in many volunteer activities, currently serving as IWIT LPGA Tournament, Local Organizing Committee Chair 2018, Co-Chair 2017. Her past engagement includes: DePauw University, Board of Visitors; P&G Gymnastics Championships, Local Organizing Committee; multiple NCAA Women’s Final Four Local Organizing Committees; Children’s Museum Guild Member, Treasurer & Board of Directors; Super Bowl XLVI, Indy’s Super Cure Committee & NFL Team Liaison; United Way of Central Indiana, Executive Women’s Leadership Series Moderator.

Jennifer has been named a “Woman of Influence” by Indianapolis Business Journal; she is a Hoosier Fellow, a member of Class XXIV of Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series, a member of the FBI Citizen’s Academy, and was named by Indianapolis Business Journal as a member of the 2002 class of “40 Under Forty.”

The public is always welcome at Rotary! Our programs take place at the Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center and the cost is just $26 per person. It’s best to arrive by noon and know that we always conclude by 1:15.

Vop Osili is President of the Indianapolis City-County Council, representing District 11 which covers much of downtown Indianapolis and parts of the near west side, including the campus of IUPUI. He is chairman of the Council’s Rules & Public Policy Committee and also serves on its Public Works Committee.

First elected to the Council in November, 2011 Osili has worked extensively with community groups, civic organizations, other public sector officials and the business community on the expansion of work opportunities, skills-training, and disadvantaged small business financing. Vop helped establish the first City-funded microloan program targeting residents and businesses operating in neighborhoods with households well below area median income, and continues to implement new initiatives to incentivize fair wages. He is a champion of urban and economic development, empowerment of distressed and economically-challenged communities, and is committed to ensuring the successful reintegration of those formerly incarcerated.

Osili is an architect who has led urban design and architecture projects in the U.S., Africa and the Middle East. He serves on a number of civic boards in the community and co-chaired the City of Indianapolis’ Urban Design Review Committee. In 2010 he was the Democratic candidate for Indiana Secretary of State. He received his Bachelor’s of Architecture degree from Carnegie Mellon University and his Master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University. He and his wife Una are parents of two amazing children, Arinze and Tasia.

The public is always welcome at Rotary! Our programs take place at the Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center and the cost is just $26 per person. It’s best to arrive by noon and know that we always conclude by 1:15.