Hamilton County Leadership Academy Announces Class of 2019
The Hamilton County Leadership Academy (HCLA), now in its 28th year, has selected 36 individuals who live or work in Hamilton County to take part in its 10-month community leadership program. Founded in 1991, HCLA connects community leaders to issues, causes and opportunities that impact Hamilton County.
Participants are selected through a highly competitive application process based on their involvement in the community and their professional achievement; their understanding of community issues and challenges; and their desire to make an impact through a significant commitment to leading and serving in Hamilton County. "Hamilton County continues to be one of the top counties in the nation. Its success and growth has been driven by strong leaders and community champions who have developed a clear vision and worked collaboratively to achieve it," said John Robbins, Executive Director of HCLA. "Our role at HCLA is to help these incredibly talented individuals gain a deeper understanding of our county, connect them to a network of similarly passionate people and inspire them to make a difference in their own backyard. It helps to ensure Hamilton County will continue to thrive in the years and decades to come." Liz Tate was selected as the Curriculum Dean for the Class of 2019. Mrs. Tate is the retired Vice President for Community Investment of the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). The position of dean exists to help participants focus on timely topics within Hamilton County, see the connections and common themes within each program day and build strong, lifelong relationships with fellow participants, alumni and community leaders. "As an alumni of HCLA and past President of the Board of Directors, I understand the power of HCLA and the incredible impact it makes within our community," said Tate. "This program has a rich history and tradition. I am honored to be able to serve as dean this year. This new group of participants brings a wealth of knowledge and diversity of experience to the program. It is with great enthusiasm that I get to help them see Hamilton County from a different perspective, understand the issues confronting our communities and identify opportunities to make the county better for all people." HCLA meets monthly from August through June. The program touches on a variety of topics from Government, Public Safety and Education to Business and Arts and Culture. Over 10 months, participants will hear from more than 100 community, nonprofit and business leaders throughout Hamilton County. For more information, visit www.hcla.net.
For additional information about the program contact John Robbins at jrobbins@HCLA.net or 317.606.0324.
The Hamilton County Leadership Academy helps leaders connect to their communities, so they can make a difference. Everything the organization does is tied to one of their three pillars: learn, connect and lead. The core program and related curriculum helps participants gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of Hamilton County. Its 27-year history in the community and more than 700 alumni provide meaningful connections throughout the county. A commitment to leading in the community challenges participants and alumni to seek out issues, causes and projects that will help to make Hamilton County an amazing place to live, work and play.
Class of 2019
Chelsea Beaman
CEO / Healthcare Consultant
CLB Management Consulting
Brian Bondus
Director of Leasing
ALO Property Group
Andrew Bradford
Vice President & Chief Development Officer
Conner Prairie
Drew Braley
Associate / Project Manager
Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf
Todd Dailey
Director, Information Technology
Liberty Mutual Insurance Group
Michael Daugherty
Wealth Advisor
First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors
Brian Dell
Senior Director, Commercial Real Estate Broker
Colliers International
Laura Denis
Director of Student Services
Noblesville Schools
Megan Earnest
Mall Manager, Hamilton Town Center
Simon Property Group
Leigh Ann Erickson
Director, Development and Alumni Relations
Fairbanks and Hope Academy
Michael Fry
Vice President, Business Development
LUNA Language Services
Justin Furr
Director of Real Estate and Construction
Crew Carwash
Janet Gafkjen
Director, Partnership for a Healthy Hamilton County
Good Samaritan Network
Leslie Gieger
Attorney at Law
Church Church Hittle + Antrim
Dr. Sherry Grate
Superintendent
Westfield Washington Schools
Katie Guerra
Owner / Financial Director
The Play School
Brandy Hill
Director of Marketing and PR
Riverview Health
Carla Hill
Director, Business Development
BSA LifeStructures
Peggy Hogan
HR Consultant
Purple Ink HR
Chris Johnson
Senior Vice President / Corporate Banking Relationship Manager
PNC Bank
Caitlin Karvasky
Business Development, Senior Manager
Moser Consulting
Melanie Lentz
Community Relations & Economic Development Project Manager
City of Carmel
Jennifer Maxwell
Business Development Executive
CleanSlate Technology Group
Rebecca McGuckin
Communications
River’s Edge Natural Health
Derek McMichael
Director of Pharmacy
Community Health Network
Whitney Moore
Owner / Photographer
Whitney Moore Photography
Mackenzie Poole
Coordinator
Legacy Fund
Gary Sexton
President
The Sexton Group
Ann Marie Shambaugh
Managing Editor, Current in Carmel &
Current in Zionsville
Current Publishing
Stephanie Smith
Owner
Smith House
Steve Sneath
Community Outreach Coordinator & Volunteer Coordinator
Hamilton County Parks and Recreation
Rachel Sorvig
Vice President
Bose Public Affairs Group
Jeff Steeg
Vice President of Operations
The Center for The Performing Arts
Bob Swanay
Director
Carmel Clay Public Library
Kert Toler
Senior Property Manager
Halakar Properties
Kyle Wise
Sales Operations Manager
Beck’s Hybrids
