Episodes
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
The Freedom Forum: Jasmine Park, Indianapolis Colts
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
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.
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
The Freedom Forum: Randy Lewandowski, Indianapolis Indians
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
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.
Wednesday Jul 31, 2024
The Freedom Forum: Kristin Weeden, Penske Entertainment Corp.
Wednesday Jul 31, 2024
Wednesday Jul 31, 2024
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.
Wednesday Jun 26, 2024
The Freedom Forum: Jamie Riley, Chief Operating Officer, USA Football
Wednesday Jun 26, 2024
Wednesday Jun 26, 2024
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.
Wednesday May 29, 2024
The Freedom Forum: Halston Mavrick, Director of Partnerships at Indy Fuel Hockey Club
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Halston Mavrick is the Director of Brand Partnerships at Indy Fuel Hockey Club. In continuing with our focus on sports organizations in Indianapolis, Halston dropped by the studio to provide some unique insights as to the origin of hockey in Indiana. She also discussed the sport’s growing following and fandom in the Hoosier state, and what exciting opportunities are on the horizon for this sports club, including a new venue and football team. Importantly, Halston described how Indy Fuel is intentionally and continually focused on ensuring that a diverse fan base has exposure and access to the sport of hockey.
Tuesday Apr 30, 2024
The Freedom Forum: Dr. Niya Blair Hackworth, Director of Inclusion at NCAA
Tuesday Apr 30, 2024
Tuesday Apr 30, 2024
Dr. Niya Blair Hackworth is the Director of Inclusion of the NCAA. In keeping with our sports focus and their organizational forces in Indiana, Dr. Niya came by the studio to discuss her career path in higher education administration and its evolution over many years at multiple universities prior to joining the NCAA. With an evolving focus on what is now called “diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB),” Dr. Hackworth shared some of her experiences, challenges, and successes in doing “the work” that has fueled her passion for impacting and improving the student experience for all, and especially the over 500,000 student-athletes at the 1100 member schools that the NCAA governs.
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
The Freedom Forum: Dr. Allison Barber, President & COO at Indiana Fever
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Dr. Allison Barber is the President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Indiana Fever. On this Women’s History Month episode, Allison discusses her career ascension to her current role at the Indiana Fever by way of 8 previous roles in education, government, communications, and more. Allison also discusses her leadership role of the Indiana Fever, her day to day tasks, and her influence in business and women’s sports, such as the WNBA. Importantly, Dr. Barber also provides some vignette of what excitement may lie ahead for Indianapolis with the possibility of the Indiana Fever having the first-round draft pick and how that opportunity will only provide another tool in our strong toolbelt of talent at The Fever and in our city’s noteworthy sports landscape.
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
The Freedom Forum: Max Siegel, CEO of USA Track and Field
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Max Siegel is the CEO of USA Track and Field. In this episode, Max discusses his experiences and lessons learned over the course of his wide array of professional endeavors. Max also touched on his contributions and investments to diversify the racing industry and so many other industries and organizations he has engaged in and impacted through his historical leadership. Finally, Max provided some insights into what we can expect for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and the Olympic swimming trials being held in Indianapolis in June.
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
The Freedom Forum: Mel Raines, President and COO at Pacers Sports & Entertainment
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Mel Raines is the president and COO of Pacers Sports & entertainment. In this episode, Mel discussed her current position resulting from a career transition from politics to sports and her leadership of the Pacers organization in that role. Importantly, Mel also touches on all the things our community should know about NBA All-Star weekend coming up in Indianapolis next month, particularly how the organizing committee is encouraging maximum community participation and involvement as the world’s eyes are on our city. Mel was particularly transparent about the intentional incorporation of our diverse Indianapolis food, arts, and culture scene in the NBA All-Star weekend to ensure this event is inclusive of all people who will be attending.
Wednesday Dec 27, 2023
The Freedom Forum: Robert Shegog, CEO at Recorder Media Group
Wednesday Dec 27, 2023
Wednesday Dec 27, 2023
Robert Shegog is the President and CEO of a historically diverse media organization based in Indianapolis, Recorder Media Group. In this episode, Robert discusses how he has been perfectly positioned for his current role. Robert specifically describes how his unique experiences of being raised in the Deep South, being a Navy veteran, graduating from a HBCU, and overcoming a speech impediment have all collectively worked to develop his leadership skills, build his confidence, provide transferable skills, and drive his current passions around giving “a voice to the voiceless”! Robert also gives us a snippet of what may be expected from the 17th Annual Champion of Diversity awards program coming in January, 2024.