Indiana’s Advanced Industries: Powering the State’s Future Workforce and Economy

2026-06-24T12:09:59-04:00June 13, 2026|

This conversation with Melina Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer at the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), was originally published by Ascend Indiana. Indiana’s advanced industries are driving innovation, economic growth and opportunity across the state. As technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation and data analytics continue to reshape the workplace, employers, educators and policymakers are facing important questions about how to prepare Indiana’s workforce for the future. In this Q&A, CICP CEO Melina Kennedy explores the role of advanced industries in Indiana’s economy, the impact of emerging technologies on business and talent needs and the steps stakeholders can take today to ensure Hoosiers are equipped to succeed in a rapidly changing world. What are Indiana’s advanced industries, and why are they so important to the state’s economy and long-term prosperity? Indiana’s advanced industries—including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, technology and [...]

Indiana to Host Anthropic’s Claude for Small Business Workshop as Part of IN AI Initiative

2026-06-15T12:22:26-04:00June 8, 2026|

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (June 5, 2026) – Indianapolis is one of 10 cities nationwide to host Anthropic's new "Claude for Small Business" workshop series, bringing hands-on AI adoption training directly to Indiana small business leaders as part of the statewide IN AI initiative. The free workshop, scheduled for June 26 in Indianapolis, is part of Anthropic's national spring tour focused on helping small and midsize businesses integrate AI into everyday operations through practical, real-world applications. Anthropic recently launched "Claude for Small Business," a new offering designed to help smaller businesses use AI across finance, operations, marketing, customer service, and administrative workflows through integrations with commonly used business platforms including QuickBooks, PayPal, HubSpot, Canva, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and DocuSign. “We’re excited to bring Anthropic’s Claude SMB Tour to Indiana,” said Lina Ochman, Head of U.S. SMB for Anthropic. “Small and [...]

BioHeartland Launches as the New Identity for Indiana’s Bioscience Ecosystem

2026-05-19T10:30:26-04:00May 19, 2026|

New regional identity showcases the state’s ability to invent, make and move breakthroughs across human health, animal health and plant science, positioning Indiana to compete globally for bioscience investment, innovation and talent. INDIANAPOLIS (May 19, 2026) — Today, regional leaders introduced BioHeartland, a new shared identity designed to unify and elevate Indiana’s bioscience ecosystem across human health, animal health and plant science. Developed through a collaborative effort led by the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) and its branded initiatives, BioCrossroads and AgriNovus Indiana, in partnership with the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority, BioHeartland was created to give Indiana a more cohesive and unified way to share the state’s story with investors, companies, researchers and talent around the world. For more than a century, Indiana has steadily helped shape global health through leadership in research, development, manufacturing and logistics [...]

CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership joins forces with Google to help reach more Hoosiers as part of IN AI initiative

2026-05-14T09:52:04-04:00May 14, 2026|

Google to Offer AI Readiness Workshops for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Statewide INDIANAPOLIS (May 14, 2026) – The CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) today announced an alliance with Google to support the IN AI initiative, aimed at making Indiana the most AI-ready state in the nation. Google will activate a series of AI workshops to help small, medium-sized businesses, and start-ups across Indiana adopt and implement artificial intelligence into their operations. "This collaboration with Google and our educational partners is an exciting step forward in empowering businesses across Indiana to embrace AI technology," said Melina Kennedy, CEO of CICP. "With the IN AI initiative, we’re ensuring that businesses throughout the state have the resources and support they need to thrive in an AI-powered economy, while also reaching the State’s goal of equipping 1 million Hoosiers with the skills [...]

Lilly Endowment and CICP announce the launch of a new annual endowed life sciences speaker series in recognition of the 150th anniversary of Eli Lilly and Company

2026-05-12T13:04:14-04:00May 12, 2026|

INDIANAPOLIS – Lilly Endowment Inc. and the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) today unveiled during the “150 Years of Medicine” celebration at the recently completed Lilly Event Center a new annual speaker series that will bring to Indiana world-renowned experts in important and timely topics regarding life sciences. “The annual series is endowed through a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment to the CICP Foundation in tribute to the role the Endowment’s founders played in developing and leading Eli Lilly and Company during its first century and in recognition of the company’s 150th anniversary. The speaker series will help raise the profile and build on the state’s national leadership in the life sciences,” said N. Clay Robbins, Lilly Endowment’s Chairman and CEO. “Indiana is home to some of the world’s most innovative life sciences companies and research institutions, [...]

CICP announces new board leadership to support the organization’s strategy and economic development efforts

2026-05-07T11:43:27-04:00May 7, 2026|

Chair and CEO of Cummins, Inc., Jennifer Rumsey, to chair CICP board INDIANAPOLIS (May 7, 2026) – The CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) today announced that Jennifer Rumsey, Chair and CEO of Cummins Inc., will serve as Chair of the CICP Board of Directors following unanimous board approval. Rumsey previously served as vice chair and has been a board member since 2023.In this new role, Rumsey will work closely with the CICP Executive Committee, Board of Directors and CICP Leadership Team to guide the organization’s strategic direction and support its purpose to advance economic development in Indiana. “CICP plays a critical role in strengthening Indiana’s long-term competitiveness, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as board chair,” said Rumsey. “I look forward to continue working with leaders across business, higher education and philanthropy to advance innovation, connect [...]

Governor Braun Announces IN AI to Grow Jobs and Wages Through Human-Centered AI

2026-04-29T13:09:39-04:00April 28, 2026|

Partnership with CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) Will Reach 1 Million Hoosiers and Engage Thousands of Employers in AI Adoption INDIANAPOLIS (April 28, 2026) – Governor Mike Braun today announced IN AI, a new statewide initiative focused on helping businesses grow, create jobs, and increase wages through the practical application of human-centered artificial intelligence. The initiative will be executed by the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) and will work directly with employers across the state to accelerate AI adoption in ways that strengthen businesses and expand opportunity for Hoosiers. “Our goal is clear: grow wages, create more high-quality jobs, and position Indiana for long-term economic growth by making it the most AI-ready state in the nation,” Gov. Braun said. “IN AI is about making sure all of our businesses – from Main Street to large organizations -- have the tools and talent [...]

Amplifying Stories of Innovation in Indiana

2026-04-21T10:09:55-04:00April 21, 2026|

Indianapolis (April 15, 2026) – Across our state, innovation is happening in classrooms, research labs, and startups — yet too often, the stories of student founders, faculty innovators, and alumni entrepreneurs remain siloed within individual campuses or industries. The CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) has announced the launch of INfluence: Stories of Indiana Innovation, a strategic effort designed to amplify and share these stories of entrepreneurship and innovation happening across Indiana, ensuring the state’s success is visible, connected, and understood beyond individual campuses, industries, or networks.  “By creating an interconnected ecosystem that turns ideas into action, we are ensuring Indiana’s innovators and programs have the visibility and support they need to succeed,” said Melina Kennedy, CEO of CICP. “Indiana is no stranger to innovation. From life-saving medicines to advanced manufacturing breakthroughs, discoveries in  agbiosciences to new businesses and technologies, Hoosiers have a long history of turning ideas into impact.”   Early INfluence stories highlight the [...]

CICP Unveils New Business Name to Align Work and Impact Across Indiana

2026-03-11T08:55:15-04:00March 11, 2026|

Indianapolis (March 11, 2026) – With a clear purpose to drive economic growth and prosperity in Indiana, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership today announced plans to align its name with its strategic impact and collaborative efforts across the state. CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) will now serve as the organization’s doing business as (DBA) name, reflecting its 27-year legacy of advancing research, leading innovation, and expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs and workforce development. “Our new name reaffirms who we are as an organization while supporting our commitment to elevating advanced industries throughout Indiana,” said Melina Kennedy, CEO of CICP. “As our board of directors represent CEOs and presidents of the state’s top corporate, academic, and philanthropic organizations , our identity leverages their expertise to tackle some of the state’s most challenging and inspiring opportunities. We lead with purpose and know [...]

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