At IndyHub, we believe that leadership thats all forms and that our city requires all types of leaders. That’s why we work every day to empower, engage and connect the extraordinary young people who call Indy home, encouraging them to channel their skills and talents into shaping our city for generations to come. Today, we’re thrilled to announce a cohort of leaders who are prepared to do just that: Class XIV of The 1828 Leadership Project presented by Citizens Energy Group.
Now in its 14th year, the 1828 Leadership Project has maintained its fundamental philosophy: young leaders are ready to lead and have ideas ready to implement now. Over the next nine months, these leaders will connect to deepen their understanding of the challenges facing our city, meet the many individuals who are shaping policy and practice in our community, and identify ways in which they can have an impactful role moving forward. Through 1828, IndyHub will seek to assist in the development of these projects and passions by connecting these individuals with resources and people who can help them fully realize their big ideas.
Program participants – which represent a wide range of sectors – are nominated by community leaders and selected by a committee of program alumni and community stakeholders. Class members participate in this leadership development program at absolutely no cost to them. The 2024-2025 program will be moderated by Lourenzo Giple of City of Indianapolis and Taylor Schaffer of Downtown Indy, Inc.. To date, The 1828 Leadership Project has served over 150 alumni. Class XIV will meet for the first time in late September.
Please join us in welcoming Class XIV of The 1828 Leadership Project presented by Citizens Energy Group!
Shelene Baiyee, IUI Upward Bound
Shelene Baiyee is a passionate educator determined to support the advancement, competence, and success of Indianapolis youth. She serves as the Assistant Director for IUI’s TRIO Upward Bound program.
Justin Burnett, Citizens Energy Group
Justin Burnett serves as the Project Manager for Citizens Energy Group. His responsibilities include planning, design, and construction management of water and wastewater infrastructure around Indianapolis. Burnett graduated from Indiana University, Indianapolis in 2018 with a B.S in Environmental Science and has been in the utility industry for about seven years. He resides in Noblesville, Indiana but his heart is in Indianapolis.
Alyssa Chavez, Indiana Sports Corp
Alyssa is a home-grown Hoosier and the Community Outreach and Impact Coordinator for Indiana Sports Corp. This role combines three things that she loves: Sports, Community, and Indianapolis.
Gabe Donnelly, Indiana State Budget Agency
Gabriel Donnelly is from the northside of Indianapolis and he went on to attend Indiana University Bloomington, where he studied political science, film/television production, and civic engagement. After moving back to Indianapolis, Gabriel spent two years as a Legislative Assistant for the Indiana House Democratic Caucus before entering his current role as a Fiscal Analyst in the Education and Economic Development Division of the Indiana State Budget Agency. Gabriel also serves on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail Young Professional Board. In his personal time, he can be found either enjoying nature or appreciating film. He is an avid hiker and loves to take his bike up to Fort Benjamin Harrison for some fresh air. Often, Gabriel can be found attending a screening at his favorite local arthouse, Kan-Kan Cinema.
Ted Field, Indianapolis Airport Authority
Ted Field has called Indy home for nearly a decade, graduating from Butler University with a BA in Political Science & History and earning his MPA from IU Indy. During this time, Ted participated in the Peterson Fellows Program, a year-long experience with city government at the Indy Mayor’s Office, IndyGo, and the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA). This program expanded upon Ted’s previous experience in state and local government. Ted rejoined the IAA as a Public Affairs Assistant at the Indianapolis International Airport (IND). He plays a critical role in the airport’s public affairs team, serving as in-house photographer and videographer, developing creative storytelling initiatives, assisting with special events, programming, and customer service.
Stephanie Garbaciak, Indiana Economic Development Corporation
Stephanie Garbaciak serves as Senior Manager of Experiential Marketing & Events for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). In her role she has led or contributed to over 100 events including domestic and international trade shows and activations, meetings and events for statewide initiatives and execution of various sports partnerships. Stephanie generates statewide impact with her ability to foster internal, external and government partnerships through event marketing and shared experience. Previously, Garbaciak worked in the private sector at OneAmerica, a financial services company, in a Marketing & Event Specialist role where she exercised executive and stakeholder management. Her background in Sales & Marketing in the hotel industry allowed her to become skilled in contract negotiations and strategic problem solving from early in her career. Stephanie received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Tourism, Hospitality, & Event Management from Indiana University Bloomington. Although, she grew up in South Bend, Indiana, she calls Indianapolis home and currently resides downtown with her Goldendoodle, Milo.
Haydyn Gibson, NCAA
Haydyn Gibson was born and raised in Clearwater, Florida. She started playing golf in first grade and attended Tulane University in New Orleans on a golf scholarship. She graduated in 2020 with a degree in Sociology. While at Tulane, Haydyn was involved in the Tulane and New Orleans community through committee service and various organizations. Selected as an NCAA Division II Governance intern, she moved to Indianapolis in June 2020. In October 2021, Haydyn accepted a full-time role as NCAA Coordinator of Division II. Haydyn created the inaugural NCAA DII Day, a day that celebrates Division II institutions and their student-athletes. DII Day has become an annual celebration at the NCAA that engages colleges and universities from all over the country. In June 2023, Haydyn transitioned to Assistant Director of Executive Affairs where she works for NCAA President Charlie Baker. She loves living in the “Sports Capital of the World” and in her free time, can be found on a golf course or at a local coffee shop.
Devon Holifield, Martin University
Devon Holifield is a servant Leader whose objective is to provide quality employment opportunities and professional development resources to underserved communities in the Greater Indianapolis Metropolitan Area. With many years of service and experience in working with youth, young adults, and others, Devon’s pleasure has been serving many individuals from many different backgrounds. Holifield takes pride in what his community has done to help him grow into whom he has become and he is excited and honored to pay it forward by helping his fellow residents.
Emma Kersey, City of Indianapolis: Mayor’s Office
Emma currently works for the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation (OEI) as a Governance Performance Analyst. In her role she evaluates the performance and strength of Mayor-Sponsored Charter School Boards, determining levels of oversight and best practices. Prior to joining OEI, Emma worked as the Administrative Assistant for the Office of Mayor Joe Hogsett and the Executive Assistant to Mayor Hogsett’s Chief of Staff. Previously, Emma worked for the nonprofit world, State Senate, as well as interning for the Mayor’s Office during her undergrad. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies with a double minor in Religious Studies and Spanish from Indiana University-Indianapolis. In her free time you can find her playing pickleball at various city parks, in a yoga class at The Hot Room – Downtown, or volunteering with the city’s Animal Care Services.
Claire Kirby, Indianapolis Colts
Claire moved to Indianapolis in 2023 to join the Colts as their Community Impact Manager. In her role, Claire helps to facilitate all fundraising, outreach, and volunteer opportunities on behalf of the Colts ownership, players, personnel, and staff. Claire is passionate about helping others and is eager to continue making a measurable impact on the Greater Indy community. A native of the Philadelphia area, Claire graduated from the University of Georgia with her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2018. She earned her Executive Certificate in Sports Philanthropy from the George Washington University in 2021 and her Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the University of Georgia in 2024.
Anamika Krishnan, IYG
Anamika Krishnan is an esteemed law and policy expert renowned for her impactful work in grants management, academia, and public advocacy. She currently serves as the Grants and Compliance Manager at the IYG, where she has impressively raised $1.2 million in just eight months. Her role involves overseeing grant applications, ensuring compliance, and driving the effective use of funds to support community initiatives. Anamika’s academic contributions are equally noteworthy. She has served as an Associate Professor at the IU School of Liberal Arts, where she designed and implemented an innovative Tort Law curriculum that fosters critical thinking and practical application. Her teaching methods emphasize inclusivity and skill development, moving beyond traditional evaluation metrics. Her commitment to justice and human rights extends to law enforcement training, where she has instructed state police departments in Kerala, India. As the youngest person to hold such a position, she crafted comprehensive learning materials on modern policing and human rights, significantly impacting over 2,000 police personnel. In her earlier career, Anamika distinguished herself as an investigative journalist with Online Manorama, where she delivered compelling news stories and exposed significant issues in higher education. Her journalistic work earned her a place in the Roll of Honor for exceptional digital journalism. Anamika is also a published author, with works that have been presented and published in numerous countries. Her book, The Future of Bioethics is Feminist and Other Essays, and various research articles have contributed to global discussions on bioethics, human rights, and policy development. Her efforts in establishing the Global Bioethics Collective further underscore her dedication to advancing bioethics and fostering dialogue on critical global issues. She has been honored with numerous international awards for her exceptional contributions to law, bioethics, and journalism.
Rachel Lopez, Indy Eleven
Rachel is originally from Marion, IN and has been a lifelong Hoosier. After graduating from Marion High School in 2015, she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, IN. In 2017 and 2018, Lopez participated in the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World, where she fell in love with the idea of working in a role where she could help families make memories together. While working in Orlando at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, she worked alongside the Atlanta Braves Spring Training which opened her eyes to careers in sports. Upon graduating from the University of Saint Francis in 2019, Rachel had the opportunity to complete an internship with the Fort Wayne TinCaps, which launched her career in sports! Now with experience in Fort Wayne TinCaps, Indy Fuel and Indy Eleven, there is one thing that she keeps in mind as they start each game – it’s always somebody’s first game. Lopez loves doing her part in creating a space for families and friends to make memories with each other while a game is going on! When she is not working a game or being a fan for another team, she enjoys spending downtime at home with her two cats, Boomer and Maisy, scoping out new coffee shops and playing the “Fun Aunt” to all of her friend’s children.
Amelia Lynas, Green Loop Marketing
A lifelong Hoosier, Amelia is a proud graduate of Noblesville High School and Ball State University. After attending and graduating college during the pandemic, Amelia doubled down on her commitment to building a rich, meaningful life in Indianapolis. By just her mid-twenties, she is thriving in her career as a marketing manager and builds community through serving clients, leading colleagues, and engaging with all the culture Indianapolis has to offer. Outside of work, Amelia is quick to try a new coffee shop and loves to explore Indy’s parks, trails, and greenways. She is the oldest of four and loves listening to live music with family and friends.
Madison Miazgowicz, The Roberts Group
Madison Miazgowicz is a young professional with a passion for both the nonprofit and music industries. Her career began at the Center for the Performing Arts, where she honed her skills in event planning, community outreach and donor relations. Recently, she has transitioned into the marketing field, taking on the role of Digital Marketing Coordinator at The Roberts Group, where she continues to merge her love for music with her expertise in marketing. Outside of work, Miazgowicz an avid skier, concert-goer and nature enthusiast. Her passion for helping others drives her and she is dedicated to making a meaningful impact everywhere she goes.
Neelam Patel, The International Center
Neelam Patel pursues her passion for engaging across cultures and industries through her role as International Visitor Programs Manager at The International Center. She facilitates engagement between international delegations visiting Indiana through the US Department of State and their Hoosier counterparts. Neelam completed both her Bachelor of Science in International Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Near Eastern Languages & Cultures (with minors in International Economic and Spanish). While at IU, Neelam was part of the Arabic Language Flagship Program as well as the Hoosier Raas Dance Team, which satisfied both her love for language learning and Indian dance. This year, Neelam looks forward to continuing her work on the Global Ties Community of Practice on Diversity, beginning her role on the Indiana Fulbright Association Board, and completing her certificate on DEI: Building a Diverse Workforce. Outside of work hours, you can find Neelam exploring the Indy arts scene and reading the latest Tomorrow Bookstore fantasy romance book club pick!
Hannah Riffle, Glick Philanthropies
As Communications & Engagement Manager, Hannah works to advance Glick Philanthropies’ mission of building community and creating opportunity through stakeholder engagement and cause-related communications. Hannah works closely with key stakeholders to understand challenges, identify potential areas for impact, and create effective, action-oriented communications. Hannah’s background is in storytelling to inform, inspire and compel audiences to think, feel and act in ways that advance important community issues. Previously, Hannah served a variety of nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and private sector companies as a strategic communications consultant at VOX Global, Hirons, and Boston-based PAN Communications. In addition to her professional experience, Hannah regularly volunteers at Agape, a therapeutic horseback riding nonprofit partnering with people with disabilities and mental health challenges. She is also a team leader for Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build. Hannah graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations.
Daniel Reyes, IYG
Daniel Reyes (he/they) is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Daniel earned a double major in Psychology with a concentration in Clinical/Community and the second major in Latina Latino Studies. While originally from Chicago, Daniel now lives in Indianapolis and is a part of the growing LGBTQ+ and Latinx community. Daniel has a history of working in a classroom environment as a skills development manager and as a high school rowing coach. Daniel is now the Training Outreach Specialist for IYG, the oldest running LGBTQ+ drop-in center for youth, ages 12-24 years old. Daniel enjoys trying new restaurants around town, with their partner Jayna, and spending time in nature with his fur baby Berkley.
Derion Searcey, RJL Solutions
Derion Searcey is a native of Indianapolis, IN, where he graduated from Pike High School in 2016 and went on to obtain his associate’s degree from Ivy Tech and his bachelor’s degree in political science from Indiana University- Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI). Derion wants to become an attorney and practice criminal law in hopes of helping more African Americans in our legal system. Derion also has plans to one day end up in Washington D.C. as a US congressman or US senator. In 2022, Derion began his political career at the Indiana House of Representatives, interning for the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), where he worked closely with the Black legislators in the State of Indiana. After completing the internship, Derion went on to work on campaigns. He learned the intricacies of leading a political campaign during the first campaign of his political career. He began with the enormous responsibility of Chief of Staff and Call time manager. Following the campaign, Derion became an Emerging Leader where he gained extensive knowledge on how to effectively manage and conduct a political campaign. In 2022, Derion joined the political chapter of the Marion County Young Democrats where he was voted on the executive board as the Parliamentarian. He works to get more young people involved in politics as well as gain more knowledge for himself for his future endeavors. Derion is now the treasurer of the organization where he manages all finances of the PAC and continues to work to get more young Black and Brown people involved in politics. In addition to campaigning, Derion worked at the Marion County Prosecutor’s office in the Child Support Division where he worked closely with prosecutors in the State of Indiana on matters that pertained to child support. In 2024, Derion joined the executive committee of the National Black Leadership Staff Legislative Council (NBLSLC) as the Vice Chair of the board where he works closely with the chair of the board to ensure Black and Brown staffers are receiving the opportunities that are presented in their state capitol and ensuring they have the resources to be successful. Derion is also the co-founder of The Growth Project (TGP). An organization that started in 2024 to help engage and help young people get involved more in government and politics. Derion was previously the Executive Director of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), where he worked with all 14 Black State elected officials in the State of Indiana. He managed all their inquiries that pertained to the Black Caucus and their specific needs. Derion has a passion for leading and helping people in the world and spreading Love throughout the process. Derion will continue to work hard to bring awareness to issues that matter most to him, as he continues his political and legal journey.
Kylie Stine, Wabash College
Kylie Stine is the Assistant Director of Special Events & Donor Stewardship at Wabash College. She graduated from Butler University in 2020 and currently serves on the Butler Young Alumni Board. A passionate community builder, Kylie loves how events unite people across different backgrounds. Stine loves Indy’s vibrant arts scene, wealth of coffee shops, and cuisine, but her favorite part of the city is how its people work together to make it a place we’re all proud to call home.
Rochenide St Preux, Immigrant Welcome Center
Rochenide (pronounced ro-sh-need) chooses to spell her name phonetically whenever she is new somewhere or introducing herself to help others pronounce it correctly, because the foreignness of her name serves as a profound anchor, constantly reconnecting her with her roots and the essence of who she is. St Preux was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and she moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in her early teens. One pivotal experience that shaped her perspective was being part of an English as a Second Language class in high school, where she saw more than 20 different flags representing diverse cultures and also heard her classmates speaking in all those different languages. This moment was particularly notable for her because growing up in Haiti, her experiences were all with people that looked like her and spoke Creole like she did. This exposure marveled St Preux and ignited a deep curiosity and passion for learning about and exploring different cultures. This curiosity has guided Rochenide throughout her life and inspired her career path. While she initially pursued Business Administration in college and explored various roles in banking and tech, her journey led her to Indianapolis about a year ago where she has embraced a role that feels deeply natural to her: serving the immigrant community. Her daily quest is to do her part in ensuring that individuals from around the world have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive and reach their full potential, just as she has had the chance to. In St Preux’s personal time, she loves exploring diverse cuisines, reading, discovering new places in Indiana, spending time at Bovaconti (her favorite coffee shop in the city) going on road trips, immersing herself in fashion, learning new languages, and cherishing moments with loved ones. Although she is relatively new to Indianapolis, her work has allowed her to explore many parts of the city, making it feel like home. She is excited to continue contributing to making Indianapolis a welcoming place for everyone.
Class XIV Moderators
Lourenzo Giple, City of Indianapolis
Lourenzo Giple is the Deputy Director of Planning, Preservation, and Design for the Department of Metropolitan Development. Through his work, he oversees the visionary, long-term projects of city development, day-to-day planning, historic preservation, transportation planning, and urban design. Lourenzo has poured his time, energy, and heart into helping others feel more connected to people, places, and spaces in the city.
Taylor Schaffer, Downtown Indy
Taylor Schaffer is the President and CEO of Downtown Indy, Inc., a nonprofit civic organization focused on improving Downtown Indianapolis. Prior to her role at Downtown Indy, Inc., she has served in a variety of roles within city government — most recently as Chief of Staff and Chief Deputy Mayor for Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. Before joining the Hogsett administration, Schaffer worked in the private sector for clients ranging from non-profit organizations to Fortune 500 Companies, developing communications, branding, and marketing strategies. Schaffer currently serves on the board of directors for Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, The Athenaeum Foundation, Visit Indy, and the 2024 NBA All-Star Game Local Organizing Committee. She is a former board member of the Indy Hub Foundation, and is a passionate advocate for attracting, retaining, and engaging young talent in Indianapolis. Schaffer is a proud graduate of Indiana State University and a member of Class 44 of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series.
