The Freedom Forum with Angela B. Freeman

Halston Mavrick is the Director of Brand Partnerships at Indy Fuel Hockey Club. In continuing with our focus on sports organizations in Indianapolis, Halston dropped by the studio to provide some unique insights as to the origin of hockey in Indiana. She also discussed the sport’s growing following and fandom in the Hoosier state, and what exciting opportunities are on the horizon for this sports...

Dr. Niya Blair Hackworth is the Director of Inclusion of the NCAA. In keeping with our sports focus and their organizational forces in Indiana, Dr. Niya came by the studio to discuss her career path in higher education administration and its evolution over many years at multiple universities prior to joining the NCAA. With an evolving focus on what is now called “diversity, equity, inclusion, and...

Dr. Allison Barber is the President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Indiana Fever. On this Women’s History Month episode, Allison discusses her career ascension to her current role at the Indiana Fever by way of 8 previous roles in education, government, communications, and more. Allison also discusses her leadership role of the Indiana Fever, her day to day tasks, and her influence in bu...

Max Siegel is the CEO of USA Track and Field. In this episode, Max discusses his experiences and lessons learned over the course of his wide array of professional endeavors. Max also touched on his contributions and investments to diversify the racing industry and so many other industries and organizations he has engaged in and impacted through his historical leadership. Finally, Max provided some...

Mel Raines is the president and COO of Pacers Sports & entertainment. In this episode, Mel discussed her current position resulting from a career transition from politics to sports and her leadership of the Pacers organization in that role. Importantly, Mel also touches on all the things our community should know about NBA All-Star weekend coming up in Indianapolis next month, particularly how the...

Robert Shegog is the President and CEO of a historically diverse media organization based in Indianapolis, Recorder Media Group. In this episode, Robert discusses how he has been perfectly positioned for his current role. Robert specifically describes how his unique experiences of being raised in the Deep South, being a Navy veteran, graduating from a HBCU, and overcoming a speech impediment have...

Alan Mills, often referred to as “The Godfather” of Barnes & Thornburg LLP, is a partner at the Indianapolis office.  Moreso, Alan is the first African-American/Black employee, attorney, and partner at Barnes & Thornburg.  He has built a career, reputation, and legacy on doing great legal work and increasing the diverse representation of attorneys at Barnes & Thornburg and at all levels and facets...

Marisa Kwiatkowski is an investigative reporter at USA Today.  In this episode, Marisa talks about diversity, equity, and inclusion in journalism and media and how she’s seen the industry change over the last two decades. Marisa also discusses how the Hoosier state was critical to her success in this industry and why it’s important for aspiring journalists to know there is a future in Indiana for...

Juan Gonzalez is the President of the Central Indiana market for KeyBank. In this episode, Juan talks about his experiences in Indiana business over the last two decades. Juan was particularly candid about the wealth of opportunity he has found in Indiana after coming here from Colombia to attend graduate school and how his inclusion in the Hoosier culture continues to drive his corporate and comm...

Anthony Prather is the Vice President and General Counsel of IU. In this episode, Anthony shares some valuable lessons he has learned over the course of his long and esteemed legal career as both inside and outside counsel. Anthony also shared how those lessons continue to inform his leadership as chief legal officer of IU. Anthony was very transparent and forthright about his experiences and his ...

Brandi Davis-Handy is the Chief Customer Officer, US Utilities at The AES Corporation. In this second anniversary episode, Brandi discusses the importance of people-centric cultures and community engagement to provide public visibility and validation to any company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) objectives and progress. As an Indianapolis native, Brandi conveys her hometown pride in the...

Rod Cotton is the  Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy & Transformation at Roche. In this episode, Rod discusses his views and vantage point on the evolution and elevation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives over his 40+ year career in the healthcare industry. Rod also shares many nuggets of wisdom and personally treasured moments resulting from his professional invo...

Kim Thomas is the Chief DEI Officer & Head of Community Affairs at One America. In this episode, Kim shares how the goals and expectations for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and programs have changed over the last two decades in multiple fields, particularly from the Human Resources perspective. Kim also discussed how she and her team remain inspired and motivated to further im...

In this episode, William (Bill) Heath, Group Vice President of Medicines Innovation Hub (MIH) at Eli Lilly and Company, shares his experiential learnings and empathetic approach to implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) based on his background, upbringing, and the diverse individuals who surround him.  He also discusses the importance of these "reverse mentors" in recognizing and over...

For this Women’s History Month episode we are joined by Nichole Wilson. Nichole is the Vice President of Community Health Operations at IU Health and an Indianapolis native. She stopped by the studio to drop some insightful and encouraging knowledge about her tenure and advancement in healthcare administration and executive leadership over the last two decades. Nichole also shared how she and her...

Brian Richardson Jr. is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the Indianapolis Colts. In this episode, Brian provides insight into his impressive career journey from sports and fitness through academia as well as his current dream job as the inaugural Director of DEI at the Indianapolis Colts. In making Black history with this position, Brian also helps us to understand how he...

Jimmie McMillian is Senior Corporate Counsel at Penske Entertainment and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. On this “reverse podcast,” dubbed “Flip the Script,” Jimmie builds on his long-time mentoring relationship with our regular host, Angela B. Freeman, to serve as guest host and allow our audience an opportunity to get to know Angela better. Throughout the conversation, Angela transparently shar...

Leon Jackson is the chancellor at Marian University's Saint Joseph's College, a two-year associate degree college based at the Indianapolis campus. In this episode, Leon discusses his personal path to and through academia, how he became chancellor of Saint Joseph’s College, and his impact in that role to prepare diverse talent for success in higher education. Leon also discusses the importance of...

Lucia Mar is the Vice President, Market Executive at Bank of America in Indianapolis. In this episode, Lucia discussed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from the lens of an Asian American woman in the financial industry. Lucia was very transparent in discussing her experiences as well as her elevation to leadership in banking, her quick integration into the Indianapolis business community, an...

Pete Yonkman is the President of Cook Medical and Cook Group. In this episode, although Pete acknowledges that Cook hasn’t yet cracked the code on DEI, he engages in a very transparent conversation about how he and Cook have approached diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts that have had a significant impact on the members of his organization, their families, as well as members of our Indi...

Jeffrey A. Harrison is the president and chief executive officer of Citizens Energy Group, where he is responsible for establishing and maintaining the vision and strategic direction of the organization. In this episode host, Angela B. Freeman talks with Jeffrey about the criticality of authenticity and community impact for any corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative, with respect to...

Rafael Sanchez is Executive Vice President, Chief Impact Officer & Indianapolis Market President at Old National Bank. In this episode host, Angela B. Freeman talks with Rafael about diversity, equity, and inclusion from a unique and authentic vantage point as a LatinX male executive in the banking and lending industry, and all the creative ways he and Old National Bank are trying to address so ma...

Angela Smith Jones serves as the vice president of diversity and inclusion at Health & Hospital Corp. In her role, she oversees the strategic implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion across all entities of Health & Hospital, including Eskenazi Health, Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services, and Marion County Public Health Department, ensuring that all employees, patients, clients and ve...

Holli Harrington is the diversity officer and senior director of supplier diversity for the Indianapolis Airport Authority. She joined the airport in 2013, became the organization's first diversity officer in 2018 and joined the executive team in 2020.  Host Angela B. Freeman talks with Holli about her efforts to promote equity in the airport's operations and among its vendors. And they discuss th...

Karrah Herring, a South Bend native, never had any interest in working in government or politics. But when she heard Gov. Eric Holcomb explain why he wanted to create the state's first Office of Equity, Inclusion & Opportunity—and create a data portal to track diversity issues—she felt a calling to be part of the effort. Since then, she's traveled the state, talking to businesses and organizations...