The Freedom Forum with Angela B. Freeman

The Freedom Forum: Tiffany Munsell, Senior Vice President at Rolls-Royce

In this special Women’s History Month episode of The Freedom Forum, host Angela B. Freeman talks with Tiffany Munsell, senior vice president of mature engine programs at Rolls-Royce. An Indianapolis native, Tiffany shares her unconventional path from law school to venture capital to aerospace leadership, highlighting the grit and resilience required to balance motherhood, career pivots and professional growth. She discusses her early role in helping launch Elevate Ventures, her transition to Rolls-Royce during the pandemic, and the challenges and rewards of being a Black female leader in a male-dominated industry. Tiffany also reflects on the lasting impact of her education at Spelman College, the importance of authenticity in leadership and the need for psychological safety in the workplace.

The Freedom Forum: John Gaidoo, Vice President and Senior Deputy General Counsel at Cummins Inc.

Our guest on this 2025 Black History Month (BHM) episode is John Gaidoo of Cummins Inc. John discussed his executive legal career journey culminated by his African heritage, Marine military service, and training as a labor and employment attorney. John also discussed his real life and sometimes disparate experiences as a diverse man in corporate leadership, and the importance of leading an organization that shares your personal values and core belief system. Finally, John gave very transparent examples of the characteristics and skills that make for a great leader of people and how organizations can and should continue to invest and pour into their folks.

The Freedom Forum: Al London, Community Impact Director and Sr. Vice President at Old National Bank

Al London is the Community Impact Director and Sr. Vice President at Old National Bank. Al shared some great information on how the banking industry has become more intentional about supporting and educating diverse communities to successfully prepare to obtain funding for home or business ownership and to reduce the wealth gap by helping the underserved and underbanked grow generational wealth. Importantly, Al forecast his current involvement in a legacy-creating passion project to build (literally from the ground up) Indiana’s first-ever Minority Depository Institution (MDI), Generations Community Bank, which is slated to open later this year with him as its CEO.

 

The Freedom Forum: Mary Kay Huse, Indy Ignite Pro Volleyball

To round out our sports leadership focus this year, on this final 2024 episode of Indianapolis Business Journal’s podcast, The Freedom Forum with Angela B. Freeman, we are excited to announce our guest is Mary Kay Huse of Indy Ignite Pro Volleyball. Mary Kay stopped by the studio to tell us all about this brand new professional women’s volleyball team beginning its first season here in Indianapolis on January 11, 2025. Specifically, Mary Kay provided significant insight into how this first expansion team of the Pro Volleyball Federation landed in Indy, has recruited its players, and is working to ensure this new professional women’s sport incites a substantial following to establish its own legacy that will continue for years. Mary Kay also described her own entrepreneurial leadership journey that has led to this unique and exciting career opportunity through which she intends to have lasting impact.

 

The Freedom Forum: Sarah Myer, Chief of Staff & Strategy at Indiana Sports Corp

In nearing the end of our focus this year on leadership in sports organizations in Indiana, we sat down with Sarah Myer of Indiana Sports Corp. Sarah dropped by the studio to provide some insights on how this sports-centered nonprofit, headquartered right here in the Hoosier state, has set the standard in our country as the first to ever facilitate the bidding and implementation of world class sporting events, such as the 2012 Super Bowl, past or future NBA/WBNA All-Stars, and NCAA Basketball championships. Sarah also describes how she has been successful in leading her team and countless volunteers to be the standard bearers in the level of community engagement and Hoosier hospitality that has been noted and admired by visitors from around the world, making us a premiere host city.

 

The Freedom Forum: Evelyn Magley, CEO at The Basketball league

As we turn the page on another season in Indiana this year, we continue to focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in Indiana’s major sports league. This month we shine light on a lesser known sports institution based in our state that is having local, national, and international impact. Our guest,  Evelyn Magley, is the CEO of The Basketball League (TBL). Ms. Evelyn is the first woman and/or African-American woman to own a men’s professional sports organization. She stopped by our studio to discuss her inspiration and motivation that has led her to form and grow TBL, and her aspirations for the future and legacy of the organization.

The Freedom Forum: Jasmine Park, Indianapolis Colts

Jasmine Park is the Vice President of People, Culture, and Inclusion for the Indianapolis Colts. In keeping with our focus on professional sports this year, Jasmine dropped by the studio to discuss her experience as a diverse woman in sports and how she was able to be particularly influential in the interview and hiring process that resulted in The Colts’ new head coach. Jasmine also described how she intentionally and authentically works to mentor, educate, and empower the younger generation of diverse leaders to be successful in sports and/or any career they desire to pursue in Indiana.

The Freedom Forum: Randy Lewandowski, Indianapolis Indians

Randy Lewandowski is the President and CEO of the Indianapolis Indians. As we continue our focus on sports organizations in Indiana, we invited Randy to come by the studio to discuss the rich history and tradition of Indiana’s oldest Minor League baseball team, his significant tenure and advancement with their organization, and how their organization has evolved over the years. In particular, Randy was very transparent about the intentionality of his former leadership and his current responsibility to make baseball more inclusive to all and to ensure Victory Field continues to be a staple of the Indianapolis community. Randy was very transparent about his personal relationship and growth in authentic leadership, empathy, and mentorship as related to identifying and growing emerging or diverse talent.

 

The Freedom Forum: Kristin Weeden, Penske Entertainment Corp.

Kristin Weeden is the Chief Talent Officer at Penske Entertainment. As we continue our focus on sports organizational leadership in Indianapolis this year, we wanted to check back in with Penske, including Indianapolis Motor Speedway, INDYCAR, and IMS Productions, to learn about what they are doing from a Human Resources perspective to continue to make the track an inclusive environment for its employees, interns, and fans. Kristin came by the studio and provided great insight into some of the wonderful programs, initiatives, and thought leadership that she and others on the Penske leadership team are implementing to effectuate and drive real change, real fast. Kristin also provided great transparency regarding some of the pragmatic challenges that women face when in positions of leadership in sports, particularly male sports organizations.

 

 

The Freedom Forum: Jamie Riley, Chief Operating Officer, USA Football

Jamie Riley is the Chief Operating Officer at USA Football.  In keeping with our focus on professional sports organizations in our community, Jamie came by the studio to tell us about all the amazing things happening with football at the Olympic level and at the grassroots - not the kind you watch on Sunday - in light of their notably increased participation across the country. Jamie also described her experiences as a female executive in arguably one of the most male-dominated of sports. Particularly in light of the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics and the USA Swimming trials happening this summer in Indianapolis, Jamie shed some light and exciting news on the evolution of flag football for all amongst the Olympic Games.