Darrianne Christian just finished up a four-year term as chair of the Newfields board of trustees. She was chosen as the first Black woman for the position in the wake of a race-related controversy that caused then-President Charles Venable to resign. During her tenure, the board hired the organization’s first Black CEO, who left the position abruptly, then hired another Black leader, Le Monte Booker, for the president and CEO roles. Christian and her husband funded the Justin and Darrianne Christian Center for Diversity and Inclusion at DePauw University. Christian, who remains on the Newfields board, also serves on the boards of Lake City Bank and the Eskenazi Health Foundation. She is involved in leading strategic initiatives for BCforward, a technology consulting and workforce fulfillment firm co-founded by Justin Christian.
Archives: Profiles
Daniel J. Elsener
Since 2001, Daniel Elsener has led Marian College-now Marian University-through decades of transformational change. In that time, Marian has grown its enrollment to more than 5,000 across the state, opened a College of Osteopathic Medicine, and launched the Klipsch Educators College and E.S. Witchger School of Engineering. The college’s Center for Vibrant Schools partners with K-12 schools to improve literacy education for more than 50,000 students. Before joining Marian, Elsener was executive director of the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation.
DEFINING SUCCESS: “Are people growing? Are we advancing the interests of those we have committed to serve?”
WHAT TO CHANGE IN INDIANA: “I would like to ensure that 95% of all Indiana schoolchildren test at level on literacy.”
LEADERSHIP LESSONS: “It’s easier to take on really big challenges with big benefits than small things of average consequence.”
Dan Hasler
Dan Hasler led the preparation and launch of Purdue University in Indianapolis, helping the school transition from a part of IUPUI to an extension of Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. He announced in June he would retire at the end of this year after spending much of the last decade in Purdue leadership, including as president of the Purdue Research Foundation. Before joining the university, he was an Indiana commerce secretary and CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. He is also founder and president of Hasler Ventures LLC.
FOSTERING INNOVATION: It’s rooted in how you respond to employees’ mistakes. “Did you retreat, blame and protect yourself, or did you wrap yourself around the person and help dig them out? Lots of bosses say they want people to feel empowered to take appropriate risks. Few behave in a supportive manner when or if a mistake is made.”
PETS: Dutch, a 4-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever. “He loves life off a leash on our farm.”
Claudia Cummings
Since 2019, Claudia Cummings has helmed the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, a statewide network representing organizations that invest $2 billion annually in Hoosier communities and causes. Cummings co-founded the Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute, which creates networking and learning opportunities for new and emerging executives. Before joining IPA, Cummings spent 10 years in leadership at Conexus Indiana.
SABBATICAL TOPIC: “I would study classical liberal thinkers like Locke and Tocqueville to explore the philosophical roots of liberty, voluntary association and self-determination. These writings offer timeless insights into how individuals, institutions and communities can thrive within a just and ordered society.”
SOMETHING SURPRISING: “I served as an amateur roadie for Madonna during the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show in 2012. As a child of the ’80s, it was a bucket-list moment to see Madonna live, and it was purely electric to be on the field, helping make the magic happen while the city I love was in the spotlight-with the entire world watching.”
Claire Fiddian-Green
Since 2015, Claire Fiddian-Green has served as president and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, a private foundation focused on improving the well-being of Indianapolis residents by supporting initiatives in the areas of education, health and the vitality of the city. The foundation recently launched College Matters, a $14 million project designed to help graduates of Marion County’s public high schools improve their college enrollment rates. Fiddian-Green also co-leads CEMETS iLab Indiana, a coalition of 300 Hoosiers representing the business, education, government and nonprofit sectors. Before joining the Fairbanks Foundation, Fiddian-Green was founding executive director of the Indiana Charter School Board and president of The Mind Trust.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT LEADING: “I love seeing members of my team taking ownership of a project, accomplishing project goals, and feeling happy that their hard work led to great outcomes.”
JOB SWAP: “I’d be the lead singer in a folk-pop band.”
Dominic Grote
Dominic Grote started in his family’s business in 1993 as a territory salesman and has led its global operations since 2009. Family owned since 1901, Grote Industries develops, manufactures and supplies visibility and safety systems for the on-highway, off-highway and trailer-body builder markets. In January, Grote was inducted into the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Hall of Fame. He serves on the board of Madison Music Movement and co-chaired a capital campaign for Prince of Peace Schools. He served on the Indiana Economic Development Corp. board until June.
FOSTERING INNOVATION: “Part of our mission statement is to be a ‘learning organization.’ We’re constantly asking ‘What did we learn?’ and emphasizing to our team that failing fast (and cheap) is expected but with that is an obligation to capture learning, share it and integrate it into the business and our processes.”
UNWINDING: My go to would be a long walk along Madison’s beautiful riverfront and up the Heritage Trail (4 to 6 miles) if I have the time. I’ll listen to music, catch up on some podcasts or call my kids.”
Dan Starr
Dan Starr has served since 2016 as president and CEO of Fort Wayne-based Do it Best, a member-owned wholesale distribution and services company supporting more than 3,000 independently owned hardware stores. Last year, Do it Best completed a $153 million acquisition of True Value, one of its primary competitors, out of bankruptcy. The move preserved nearly 2,000 jobs and more than 4,500 retail stores. Starr is chair of the Parkview Health board.
CORE PRINCIPLES: “We believe in the infinite worth of every person and consequently the notion that everyone is entitled to kindness, dignity and respect. That is the heart of our servant leadership approach.”
WHAT TO CHANGE IN INDIANA: The infant mortality rate, which is much higher for minorities and others in disadvantaged communities than both state and national averages. “How we care for the most vulnerable in our community says everything about who we are.”
Cathy Langham
Cathy Langham founded Langham Logistics and continues to lead strategy, growth and operations for the $100 million-plus global-supply-chain management company that serves the transportation and warehousing needs of the automotive, retail and pharmaceuticals industries, among others. She also serves on the board of Penske Entertainment and on the Indiana University board of trustees.
CORE PRINCIPLES: “Integrity first. People matter most. Think long term. Own your results. And never underestimate the power of curiosity-asking the right question often matters more than having the right answer.”
FAVORITE THING ABOUT LEADING: “Watching people grow into their potential-and then surpass it.”
NEW EMPLOYEE WISDOM: “Outwork everyone, learn all you can, and have a great attitude!”
Victor Smith
As a partner with Bose McKinney & Evans, Victor Smith chairs the firm’s Site Selection and Economic Incentives Practice Group, He advises clients and manages projects in 13 states involving industries like semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, defense contracting and aviation. Last year, Smith chaired Gov. Mike Braun’s transition team, helping to choose key appointees, review agencies and determine strategy. Previously, he spent 17 years as CEO of a Silicon Valley-based semiconductor equipment engineering company.
ADMIRES MOST: his wife, Kathleen
WALKUP SONG: “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. “Being happy is just my temperament. So much so that my wife uses that song as my ringtone when I call her, and my three children say it makes them think of me whenever they hear it.”
WISDOM FOR NEW EMPLOYEES: “Be present. Apply yourself to the task at hand and stay focused. Don’t worry so much about the future that you remove yourself from the present.”
Thomas Wheeler
Thomas Wheeler was sworn in on July 15 as the interim United States attorney for the Southern District of Indiana and is waiting for Senate confirmation that would remove the “interim” tag. President Donald Trump nominated Wheeler to the post after he finished a stint as the interim general counsel to the U.S. Department of Education. In that position, Wheeler managed legal services for a cabinet agency with a legal staff of several hundred attorneys. Previously, he served in roles at Frost Brown Todd LLP and Bose McKinney and Evans. He’s also served as assistant attorney general for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Justice and senior adviser to the White House Federal Commission on School Safety, the latter of which was created to respond to several high-profile deadly school shootings. During the pandemic, he was asked to work as a senior counsel/adviser to develop guidelines for the safe reopening of schools. Wheeler has also served as legal counsel for several Indiana politicians, including former Vice President Mike Pence.
FIRST JOB: Baling hay and detasseling corn.
JOB SWAP: professional soccer player
FAVORITE THING ABOUT LEADING: “Working with students, interns and young people new to the workforce and serving as a mentor.”