IN Chamber: The Podcast

Given today’s talent-driven economy, elevating the postsecondary attainment levels of Indiana’s adult workforce is one of the most vital steps the state can take. In the latest episode of IN Chamber, meet Marilyn Pitzulo of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development where she leads the agency’s adult education efforts. Pitzulo highlights what her division does and how employers can use the ad...

Indiana is a manufacturing mecca. In the latest episode of IN Chamber, we profile one maker and Hoosier success story: Crown Technology of Indianapolis, a family-run chemical manufacturer serving the steel industry. A member of the third generation, Carrie Benko shares the company’s outlook and a certain growth area that many Indiana manufacturers are pursuing or perhaps should be: exporting. Benk...

Not too long after he became the CEO of Elevate Ventures last summer, Christopher Day was having visions of putting Indiana on the map from an innovation standpoint. “It was time to think much bigger as a state,” the Indiana tech veteran and entrepreneur recalls. Out of that desire, the Rally Innovation Conference was born. The event celebrates cross-sector connections between companies, entrepren...

Coming from an impoverished upbringing in segregated North Carolina, Dr. Jim Johnson knew he had a larger purpose. He once told Fast Company magazine for its “Hopes and Dreams” issue: “There are pressing social problems we should be addressing, and I had to do something. I’ve always believed I was put on this earth to make a difference.” Today, Johnson is doing that through various youth and educa...

Politics and policy intersect in this edition of the IN Chamber podcast featuring David Ober. The former state lawmaker is now on the other side, with the 2023 legislative session his first as the Indiana Chamber’s tax expert. As we enter the second half of the Indiana General Assembly, Ober takes a look at some of the biggest tax policies still in play that impact employers and local communities....

Being considered a triple threat (actor, dancer and singer) in the entertainment field can open many doors. In the education and workforce realm, Carrie Lively has more than three designations to her name – and she’s putting them all to good use. A former teacher, school counselor, administrator and state agency official, Lively is now the executive director at the Pursuit Institute in Hamilton Co...

While we won’t solve the age-old chicken and egg riddle, you will hear tales about another fowl – one whose popularity is on the rise: duck. With its roast half duck, Leesburg-based Maple Leaf Farms is the latest winner of the Indiana Chamber’s Coolest Thing Made in Indiana contest. The company also is coming off a record surge in demand in 2022 (well before the “Coolest” title). Its products are...

Solving challenging business problems is what Indianapolis entrepreneur Tyler Foxworthy does. His method is applying mathematics to develop the innovative technologies that are needed. It’s a passion and professional pursuit that began early: Foxworthy received his applied mathematics degree from Purdue University in 2010 at age 19. A chief data scientist, he worked for KSM Consulting and DemandJu...

The president and CEO of AgReliant Genetics in Westfield is not your typical seed company executive. Born in Cameroon as the son of a pineapple exporter, Paul Nselel brings a unique mindset that comes from years at Nike and in the financial sector, as well as several notable stops in the agribusiness world. Nselel tells how those experiences influence what he’s doing now, how AgReliant Genetics is...

John Wechsler’s latest venture is something so simple and appealing that other innovative minds are kicking themselves for not beating him to it. The product is Spokenote, the digital equivalent of a Post-it note. Wechsler discusses that journey and looks back at the Hamilton County-based efforts he’s most known for (so far): launching the co-working space Launch Fishers and the Indiana IoT Lab, w...

Indiana Department of Workforce Development Commissioner Fred Payne* pulls the curtain back on how the agency evolved due to the pandemic and walks through its offerings and goals. He also explains how partnerships in upskilling the state’s workforce are vital to making progress in today’s talent-driven economy. *Fred Payne’s last day as commissioner was July 8. He resigned and is now the presiden...

Indiana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kevin Brinegar says the 2022 Indiana General Assembly concluded in a good place overall for the rights of businesses, for the state’s economy and for talent attraction and growth. In this wrap-up of the 2022 legislative session, Brinegar discusses in detail the key policies that passed – or didn’t in one notable case – and the implications for Hoosier...

Janus Motorcycles recently won the Indiana Chamber’s first-ever Coolest Thing Made in Indiana contest, a bracket-style tournament in which winners were chosen by public voting. The manufacturer beat out 64 of the most recognizable and unique products from the Hoosier state. The production motorcycle company was co-founded by Notre Dame alum Richard Worsham over a decade ago in Goshen. He shares ho...

It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since Indianapolis hosted its wildly successful Super Bowl. Allison Melangton was at the helm of that effort as CEO of the Super Bowl Host Committee. The timing now couldn’t be more appropriate to get her thoughts on what that game meant to central Indiana’s sports and tourism fortunes – and what chance the city has of getting another Super Bowl. She also re...

Indiana University’s 19th president is energized at the opportunity to lead the major multicampus institution – the first woman to do so – and has fit right in since taking the post in July. The conversation with Dr. Pamela Whitten reflected on her journey and shared her top priorities for IU – one of which is a renewed emphasis to lift up the state. Of the latter, she says: “It’s important that w...

Indiana’s business community is getting mandate pressure from every direction. On the federal side, the Biden administration wants to require employers with 100 or more employees to implement full vaccination or weekly testing. At the state level, legislative leaders are attempting to restrict businesses’ ability to require the COVID-19 vaccine for employees if they choose. Indiana Chamber Preside...

At our 32nd Annual Awards Dinner on November 9, racing legend Roger Penske shared reflections about his successful career as a car owner, purchasing the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in 2019, entrepreneurship and more. Racing enthusiast Gov. Eric Holcomb asked the questions in a one-of-a-kind conversation. Born and raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio, a Cleveland suburb, Penske’s love of cars and s...

A tremendous opportunity is taking place in Indianapolis for at-risk youth to get on the right path to a fulfilling career and at the same time, provides employers a chance to make important connections to mentor or even, in some cases, identify potential employees. Our guests for the latest IN Chamber represent both sides. Tyler Mayer is president and CEO of Providence Cristo Rey High School, a R...

No one imagined the pandemic would drag on this long – 18 months and counting. It’s been a time of re-evaluation and reflection. For individuals, it’s determining what’s truly important to them. For employers, it’s how they interact with and treat their employees. Jennifer Pferrer, executive director of the Wellness Council of Indiana, says “we are living through history” and cautions that “if emp...

Frank Walker has been leading the charge for decades to emphasize the importance of ethics in the workplace. The primary reasons: It is the right thing to do and can/will lead to increased business success. Walker offers perspective and we hear from Liz Coit, executive director of the Walker Center for Applied Ethics at Marian University. The Indiana Ethics Survey reveals more work for Hoosier com...

“No one can do everything, but everybody can do something.” That is the shortened version of the approach and mission of Uncovered.com. Ashlee Fujawa, Anna Eaglin and Jim Brown have teamed to unleash an army of “citizen detectives” to help address the more than 200,000 cold cases involving murdered or missing people in the United States. They do not promise justice, but peace of mind that everythi...

A business trip to New York City decades ago had him thinking, “Oh, my gosh, I made it!” But despite national and international business deals and travels, Scott McCorkle is all Indiana all the time. The Software Artistry-ExactTarget-Salesforce veteran is seeking another big hit with MetaCX and its focus on the software partnership between buyers and sellers. It’s a risky proposition, with an addi...

Michael McRobbie came to Indiana University in 1997 (from his native Australia) as the school’s first vice president for information technology and chief information officer. He retires (as of June 30) 24 years later (14 as president) with a long list of accomplishments, including numbers of degrees awarded and amounts of external research funding earned. The approach to regional campuses evolved...

Indiana Black Expo (IBE) is well known for its Summer Celebration and Circle City Classic fund-raising events. Its work, of course, goes much deeper with business and education conferences, assistance for small businesses, working with youth and families, and much more. Tanya Mckinzie, president and CEO of IBE since 2008, talks about those programs and how some were able to expand in the past year...

Allison Barber brings an education and business background to her role as president and chief operating officer of the Indiana Fever. It’s no surprise that she teamed with several community partners to create a unique program titled Athlete to Advocate. The goal was to give Fever players a chance to amplify their message and make a bigger difference than they already are in the areas in which they...