Courtney Kerr, Author at The Central Indiana Corporate Partnership

TechPoint launches CDO Network to advance data strategy and innovation across Indiana

Courtney Kerr2025-07-25T09:27:43-04:00July 23, 2025|

TechPoint, the industry-led growth initiative for Indiana’s digital innovation economy and overall tech ecosystem, today announced the formation of the Indiana CDO Network, bringing together the state’s best minds in data and analytics. The network, which will hold its inaugural meeting in August, formalizes a previously organic consortium of central Indiana data leaders. Under the TechPoint brand, the CDO network will expand statewide, offering members a sustainable infrastructure that employs deeper collaborations and professional growth with vital connections to the state’s innovation sector. The CDO Network will be led by: Bill Kemerer, vice president of global data and analytics, Allegion; and Karen Hyman, vice president of data governance, defense digital and IT, Rolls Royce. “The timing is perfect for a formalized CDO network, as data is top of mind across all industries with the rapid adoption of AI,” said Bill [...]

AgriNovus Indiana announces changes to its Board of Directors

Courtney Kerr2025-08-11T11:37:34-04:00July 22, 2025|

INDIANAPOLIS (July 22, 2025) — AgriNovus Indiana, a nonprofit coalition focused on growing Indiana’s agbioscience economy, announced today changes to its board of directors. The board unanimously approved the addition of Craig Anderson, president and chief executive officer of Ag Alumni Seed, Dr. Robert Pepper, president of Huntington University and Eric Young, chief financial officer at BiomEdit, to replace outgoing directors. “To execute a bold vision, you must have great leaders in place,” said Karen Plaut, executive vice president for research at Purdue University and chair of the AgriNovus Indiana Board of Directors. “The additions of Craig, Robert and Eric bring a varied background of skills, perspectives and experiences to our Board that will be critical to our shared vision of growing this agbioscience economy.” Anderson is the president and chief executive officer of The Ag Alumni Seed Improvement Association [...]

BioCrossroads Launches AXIS Mentoring Program, Designed to Strengthen Indiana’s Life Sciences Future

Courtney Kerr2025-08-07T13:23:10-04:00July 22, 2025|

July 2025 marked an exciting milestone for Indiana’s life sciences community with the official launch of AXIS, a revived statewide mentoring program from BioCrossroads. Held at the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI), the event brought together innovators, mentors, academic and industry leaders, and rising entrepreneurs—all committed to supporting the next generation of life sciences talent in Indiana. The AXIS Mentoring Program is designed to provide structured, team-based, and conflict-free mentorship to early-stage life sciences entrepreneurs. Drawing from the proven model of MIT’s Venture Mentoring Service (VMS), the program builds a strong support system for individuals navigating the challenges of scientific innovation, commercialization, and startup growth. Emily Atkinson, Senior Director of Innovation at BioCrossroads, emphasized the importance of the moment. “The launch of AXIS marks a new chapter for Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem. By bringing together world-class mentors and passionate entrepreneurs [...]

Indiana Officially Designated as the Radiopharmaceutical Capital of the World®

Courtney Kerr2025-07-21T15:25:56-04:00July 21, 2025|

National designation reinforces Indiana’s global leadership in radiopharmaceutical innovation, manufacturing, and supply chain infrastructure. INDIANAPOLIS (July 21, 2025) — Indiana has secured the title of Radiopharmaceutical Capital of the World® from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, solidifying the state's global leadership in the rapidly growing field of precision medicine. Powered by a robust and highly specialized talent pool, unmatched logistics infrastructure, world-class research institutions, and geographically central location, Indiana serves as a critical nucleus for the rapidly growing radiopharmaceutical sector that is transforming oncology for patients and providers. Radiopharmaceuticals are drugs that contain, among other ingredients, radioisotopes. Depending on the type of radiation those radioisotopes produce, they can be used to diagnose or treat several medical conditions, including cancer and hyperthyroidism. Beyond its deep FDA-savvy talent pool, Indiana’s radiopharmaceutical leadership is anchored by specialized isotope production facilities, integrated [...]

Central Indiana Corporate Partnership announces new Board of Directors and Executive Committee leadership

Courtney Kerr2025-07-21T09:32:49-04:00July 21, 2025|

Bryan Mills, president and CEO of Community Health Network, and chair of the CICP Board of Directors INDIANAPOLIS (July 21, 2025) – The Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) today announced a new chair for its board of directors and new executive committee members. As Sue Ellspermann, former president of Ivy Tech Community College, concludes her tenure as board chair, the CICP team applauds her commitment to working alongside the organization and its five branded talent and industry sector initiatives since August 2016. Additionally, Ellspermann’s leadership marked a historic milestone as she served in CICP’s first all-female executive leadership team, which includes CICP’s CEO Melina Kennedy and president and CFO Latoya Botteron. Bryan Mills, president and CEO of Community Health Network, now assumes the role of board chair and executive committee chair. Mills joined the CICP board in [...]

Business Equity chair says group’s overall mission hasn’t changed with political winds

Courtney Kerr2025-07-10T13:47:39-04:00July 10, 2025|

This release was originally published by IBJ on July 4, 2025. Click here to read the original release. In the wake of the 2020 protests after the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, Indianapolis business leaders committed to driving measurable progress in advancing racial equity in a group called Business Equity for Indy. Jeffrey Harrison, CEO of Citizens Energy Group, has served as that coalition’s leader since its founding. Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Indy Chamber and the Indianapolis Urban League are partners in the work. BEI launched with 11 member companies; it now has 50. Each member has pledged to adopt at least one BEI recommendation or strategy, a list that includes participation in a modern apprenticeship program, certification as a company that pays more than $18 an hour with benefits, and implementation of best practices [...]

Gener8tor’s new Bolt conference set for Indianapolis this fall

Courtney Kerr2025-07-09T13:46:35-04:00July 9, 2025|

Originally posted by IBJ on June 13, 2025. Read original press release here. Wisconsin-based startup accelerator Gener8tor is shifting its conference strategy this year to hosting one large gathering in Indianapolis rather than a handful across the U.S., a move expected to expand networking opportunities among investors and entrepreneurs. The reimagined event, called Bolt, is set to take place Oct. 1-2 at Victory Field, bringing together founders, investors and corporations in a variety of industries from across the Midwest and beyond. The event replaces Gener8tor’s previous OnRamp conferences. OnRamp’s manufacturing and agriculture events had previously taken place in Indianapolis. Gener8tor’s other OnRamp events last year focused on insurance and financial technology, health care, and education and workforce development. Those gatherings took place in St. Paul, Minnesota; Birmingham, Alabama; and Minneapolis, respectively. “We decided to combine all of that power, all [...]

Nearly $13 million awarded for statewide career apprenticeship initiative

Courtney Kerr2025-07-09T09:55:23-04:00July 9, 2025|

FuFunds for Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway support regional implementation, Industry Talent Associations, and employer and student engagement The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation has awarded nearly $13 million in funding to eight Indiana organizations working to develop a new pathway for high school and adult students to learn about and train for in-demand careers and help Indiana businesses find and train employees. The first cohort of high school students will begin apprenticeship programs in the new Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway (INCAP) in the fall of 2026. They will split their time between the workplace and the classroom, with at least 50% of their training taking place on the job to help ensure they are gaining in-demand skills and employers are realizing a return on investment. The students will be paid by their employers and work year-round. Programs for adults will be available [...]

TechPoint announces 2025-2026 executive committee leadership

Courtney Kerr2025-06-23T13:35:43-04:00June 23, 2025|

TechPoint, the industry-led growth initiative for Indiana’s tech ecosystem, today announced its executive committee members for the 2025–2026 term. The newly appointed leadership reflects TechPoint’s ongoing commitment to advancing digital innovation, developing Indiana’s tech talent, and supporting innovation & entrepreneurship. After distinguished service since 2019, Sherry Aaholm, former Chief Digital Officer of Cummins Inc., is stepping down as Board Chair. Under her leadership, TechPoint significantly expanded its industry networks and secured new philanthropic partnerships, including with Microsoft and the Infosys Foundation. Her tenure also saw the growth of TechPoint’s tech talent initiatives to strengthen Indiana’s talent pipeline, alongside the development of a robust innovation and entrepreneurship strategy that continues to elevate Indiana’s position as a national technology hub. “I’ve seen firsthand the passion and dedication the TechPoint team brings to growing Indiana’s tech community,” said Sherry Aaholm. “As AI [...]

AgriNovus Indiana’s Velocity Announces 2025 Winners, Awards $75,000 to Entrepreneurs at Demo Day Event

Courtney Kerr2025-06-19T11:28:39-04:00June 19, 2025|

Forty-Two Teams Develop Solutions in BioInnovation, Farmer-Focused Innovation and Food is Health; Launches Next Phase of Velocity Program Designed for Scale-Up Companies AgriNovus Indiana, an initiative to grow the agbioscience economy, today announced Chicago, Ill.-based Integrated Dynamics, Indianapolis, Ind.-based NanoBio Designs and South Bend, Ind.-based NutriPop have won Velocity, securing each company $25,000 to advance their tech-enabled businesses that address many of the toughest challenges facing the food and agbioscience economy. In partnership with the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Elevance Health, Beck’s Hybrids, Ag Alumni Seed and Gutwein Law, Velocity challenges students, startups and existing companies to create solutions to fill research-defined gaps in three critical areas: bioinnovation, farmer-focused innovation and food is health. “Velocity was launched to inspire innovation that addresses three critical forces of change facing our food and agbioscience economy today and well [...]

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