The Freedom Forum with Angela B. Freeman

The Freedom Forum: Brandi Davis-Handy, Chief Customer Officer at The AES Corporation

Brandi Davis-Handy is the Chief Customer Officer, US Utilities at The AES Corporation. In this second anniversary episode, Brandi discusses the importance of people-centric cultures and community engagement to provide public visibility and validation to any company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) objectives and progress. As an Indianapolis native, Brandi conveys her hometown pride in the progress our city and state have made on the DEI front. She also offers valuable suggestions on how our business community can continue to impact and elevate its DEI presence on a national level.

The Freedom Forum: Rod Cotton, Senior Vice President, Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy & Transformation at Roche

Rod Cotton is the  Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy & Transformation at Roche. In this episode, Rod discusses his views and vantage point on the evolution and elevation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives over his 40+ year career in the healthcare industry. Rod also shares many nuggets of wisdom and personally treasured moments resulting from his professional involvement in DEI programs at the executive leadership and C-suite level, particularly as he eyes official retirement at the close of this month. 

The Freedom Forum: Kim Thomas, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at One America

Kim Thomas is the Chief DEI Officer & Head of Community Affairs at One America. In this episode, Kim shares how the goals and expectations for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and programs have changed over the last two decades in multiple fields, particularly from the Human Resources perspective. Kim also discussed how she and her team remain inspired and motivated to further impact change for the future of DEI in the financial industry.

The Freedom Forum: William Heath, Group Vice President of Medicines Innovation Hub (MIH) at Eli Lilly and Company

In this episode, William (Bill) Heath, Group Vice President of Medicines Innovation Hub (MIH) at Eli Lilly and Company, shares his experiential learnings and empathetic approach to implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) based on his background, upbringing, and the diverse individuals who surround him.  He also discusses the importance of these "reverse mentors" in recognizing and overcoming barriers and obstacles to identifying and hiring new diverse talent. Bill further emphasizes the importance of creating an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and supported and highlights the role of leadership in promoting DEI and holding themselves accountable for progress.

The Freedom Forum: Nichole Wilson, Vice President of Community Health Operations at IU Health

For this Women’s History Month episode we are joined by Nichole Wilson. Nichole is the Vice President of Community Health Operations at IU Health and an Indianapolis native. She stopped by the studio to drop some insightful and encouraging knowledge about her tenure and advancement in healthcare administration and executive leadership over the last two decades. Nichole also shared how she and her team are working hard to be a “voice for the voiceless” with regard to health and pay equity as critically necessary to improve health and economic outcomes for all Indianapolis and Hoosier residents.

 

The Freedom Forum: Brian Richardson Jr., Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Indianapolis Colts

Brian Richardson Jr. is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the Indianapolis Colts. In this episode, Brian provides insight into his impressive career journey from sports and fitness through academia as well as his current dream job as the inaugural Director of DEI at the Indianapolis Colts. In making Black history with this position, Brian also helps us to understand how he prepared for this influential role and the impact he hopes to make at the Colts organization as well as in our beloved city of Indianapolis.

The Freedom Forum: Angela B Freeman with Guest Host Jimmie McMillian

Jimmie McMillian is Senior Corporate Counsel at Penske Entertainment and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. On this “reverse podcast,” dubbed “Flip the Script,” Jimmie builds on his long-time mentoring relationship with our regular host, Angela B. Freeman, to serve as guest host and allow our audience an opportunity to get to know Angela better. Throughout the conversation, Angela transparently shares her career journey and life experiences, including successes, failures, and lessons learned. Angela also describes her transition from science to law, as well as her long-term advocacy for more diverse representation in STEM and law over more than two decades and her continued and future focus on the same.

The Freedom Forum: Leon A. Jackson, chancellor at Marian University’s Saint Joseph’s College

Leon Jackson is the chancellor at Marian University's Saint Joseph's College, a two-year associate degree college based at the Indianapolis campus. In this episode, Leon discusses his personal path to and through academia, how he became chancellor of Saint Joseph’s College, and his impact in that role to prepare diverse talent for success in higher education. Leon also discusses the importance of the Diversity in Leadership program that he founded to prepare diverse leaders for executive roles in our Indiana corporations and businesses.

 

The Freedom Forum: Lucia Mar, Vice President at Bank of America

Lucia Mar is the Vice President, Market Executive at Bank of America in Indianapolis. In this episode, Lucia discussed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from the lens of an Asian American woman in the financial industry. Lucia was very transparent in discussing her experiences as well as her elevation to leadership in banking, her quick integration into the Indianapolis business community, and her advice for the younger generation. 

The Freedom Forum: Pete Yonkman, President at Cook Group Incorporated

Pete Yonkman is the President of Cook Medical and Cook Group. In this episode, although Pete acknowledges that Cook hasn’t yet cracked the code on DEI, he engages in a very transparent conversation about how he and Cook have approached diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts that have had a significant impact on the members of his organization, their families, as well as members of our Indiana communities.