Hoosier Huddle - Photos & Videos
Click here to watch the opening session
PANEL SESSIONS
Each panel session will be held on the main stage in Hinkle Fieldhouse.
IMPROVING HOOSIER HEALTH: THE FIRST YEAR OF HEALTH FIRST
1-1:45 P.M. Hinkle Fieldhouse Main Stage
Explore the transformative impacts of Health First Indiana in its inaugural year. Moderated by Dr. Lindsay Weaver, Indiana Department of Health Commissioner, this panel includes Stephanie Laws, President of the Parke County Health Board; Kellie Streeter, President of Knox County Commissioners; and Rich Haddad, President and CEO of K21 Health Foundation. Learn how this initiative is reshaping public health through local partnerships and data-driven solutions.
Dr. Lindsay Weaver
Commissioner
Indiana Department of Health
Stephanie Laws
Board President
Parke County Health Department
Kellie Streeter
President
Knox County Commissioners
Rich Haddad
President and CEO
K21 Health Foundation
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE AND CAREERS
2-2:45 P.M. Hinkle Fieldhouse Main Stage
Explore how Indiana is tackling the “Leaky Talent Pipeline” with Jason Bearce, VP for Education & Workforce Development at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Katie Jenner, Secretary of Education; Chris Lowery, Commissioner of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education; and Richard Paulk, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. This panel will discuss state efforts and initiatives aimed at maximizing high school education to prepare students for postsecondary success and workforce readiness.
Jason Bearce
VP for Education & Workforce Development
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Katie Jenner
Secretary of Education
Indiana Department of Education
Chris Lowery
Commissioner
Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Richard Paulk
Commissioner
Indiana Department of Workforce Development
HOW READI IS IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGHOUT INDIANA
3-3:45 P.M. Hinkle Fieldhouse Main Stage
Explore the impact of READI on Indiana’s communities with Vincent Ash, Mark Wasky, Heather Ennis, and Brian Prince. This session will discuss how Indiana’s innovative READI program fosters community vibrancy, enhances economic development, and supports successful public-private partnerships. Panelists will provide insights into READI’s achievements, future directions, and its role in initiatives like blight reduction and arts enhancement with the generous support of the Lilly Endowment.
Vincent Ash
Chief of Staff
Indiana Economic Development Corporation
Mark Wasky
SVP, Special Counsel
Indiana Economic Development Corporation
Heather Ennis
President & CEO
Northwest Indiana Forum
Brian Prince
President & CEO
Prince Property Group
FOCUS SESSION #1
1-1:45 P.M.
Focus sessions are held in three different locations including the Wildman room, the Classroom, and the Practice Gym.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SOLUTIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
1-1:45 P.M. - Practice Gym
Addressing the need for affordable housing in Indiana, this session features Jake Sipe, Executive Director of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority; Sherry Seiwert, Director of the Residential Infrastructure Fund; and Mark Wasky, SVP and Special Counsel at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Discover impactful state programs that tackle housing challenges and learn how these can be leveraged in your community for sustainable solutions.
Jake Sipe
Executive Director
Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority
Sherry Seiwert
Program Director
Indiana Finance Authority
Mark Wasky
SVP, Special Counsel
Indiana Economic Development Corporation
LITERACY: WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE NEED TO BE
1-1:45 P.M. - Wildman
Join Rebecca Estes, Indiana Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Educator Talent, and Melinda Brown, State Director of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Indiana, as they discuss groundbreaking strategies to boost early literacy. Learn about Indiana’s commitment to enhancing reading skills, with a goal for 95% of 3rd graders to achieve proficiency by 2027, and how the Imagination Library supports this mission by distributing free books to foster a lifelong love of reading.
Melinda Brown
State Director
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Indiana
Rebecca Estes
Assistant Secretary for Educator Talent
Indiana Department of Education
INFORMATION HIGHWAY: WHAT’S NEXT?
1-1:45 P.M. - Classroom
Join INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith and Steve Cox, State Infrastructure and Broadband Administrator of the Indiana Broadband Office, as they delve into the future of infrastructure, connectivity, and access in Indiana. This session explores how state initiatives are supporting critical local infrastructure development, helping local budgets stretch further, and addressing emerging opportunities. Learn about the vital role of modernized infrastructure in facilitating seamless movement, boosting economic growth, and enhancing quality of life.
Mike Smith
Commissioner
Indiana Department of Transportation
Steve Cox
Infrastructure & Broadband Administrator
Indiana Broadband Office
FOCUS SESSION #2
2-2:45 P.M.
Focus sessions are held in three different locations including the Wildman room, the Classroom, and the Practice Gym.
PLACE BUILDING AND STORYTELLING
2-2:45 P.M. - Practice Gym
Indiana’s small towns and rural areas are becoming vibrant communities. Speakers Elaine Bedel, CEO of the Indiana Destination Development Corporation; Dan Bortner, Director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources; and Andrea Kern, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, will share strategies that enhance Indiana’s appeal. Learn how these state programs and partnerships make Indiana an ideal place to live, work, and play.
Elaine Bedel
Secretary & CEO
Indiana Destination Development Corporation
Dan Bortner
Director Indiana
Department of Natural Resources
Andrea Kern
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Indiana Office of Community & Rural Affairs
OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES
2-2:45 P.M. - Wildman
Join Jennifer Pferrer of the Wellness Council of Indiana and Douglas Huntsinger, Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment, and Enforcement, as they discuss efforts to combat mental and substance use disorders. This session will cover the state’s mental health care resources, development of a recovery-friendly workforce, and enhancements in crisis response and prevention programs. Learn about the impactful strategies being implemented to support the one in twelve Hoosiers facing these challenges.
Doug Huntsinger
Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment, & Enforcement
Office of Governor Eric J. Holcomb
Jennifer Pferrer
Executive Director for the Wellness Council of Indiana
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
2-2:45 P.M. - Classroom
Enhance your understanding of Indiana’s strategies for boosting local emergency preparedness with Jonathan Whitham, Chief of Staff at the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, and Tracy Barnes, Chief Information Officer for the State of Indiana. This session will delve into recent changes to the State Disaster Relief Fund, the new Hub & Spoke training plan for firefighters, and efforts to strengthen cybersecurity across local communities.
Jonathan Whitham
Chief of Staff
Indiana Department of Homeland Security
Tracy Barnes
CIO
Indiana Office of Technology
FOCUS SESSION #3
3-3:45 P.M.
Focus sessions are held in three different locations including the Wildman room, the Classroom, and the Practice Gym.
IMPROVING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULT LEARNING
3-3:45 P.M. - Practice Gym
Join Whitney Ertel, Executive Director of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, and Katie Rounds, Chief Workforce Officer at the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, as they discuss innovative strategies to enhance adult learning. This session will explore how state initiatives are connecting Hoosiers with opportunities to skill up, meet employer demands, and access resources necessary for personal and professional growth in a thriving economy.
Katie Rounds
Chief Workforce Officer
Indiana Department of Workforce Development
Whitney Ertel
Executive Director
Governor’s Workforce Cabinet
GETTING A GREAT START ON EARLY LEARNING
3-3:45 P.M. - Wildman
Join Courtney Penn, Director of the Office of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning, to learn about Indiana’s efforts to make childcare accessible and affordable. This session highlights how state resources like the ‘Child Care Finder’, CCDF, and ‘On My Way Pre-K’ vouchers support families and prepare children for kindergarten. Discover how Indiana assists communities and employers in enhancing childcare services, ensuring that young minds have the foundation to thrive academically.
Courtney Penn
Director of the Office of Early Childhood & Out of School Learning
Family and Social Services Administration
HEALTH ACROSS THE AGES
3-3:45 P.M. - Classroom
Dr. Dan Rusyniak, Secretary of Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration, and Eden Bezy, Assistant Commissioner and Director of the Maternal and Child Health Division, will discuss Indiana’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations. This session will highlight crucial services and programs tailored for aging Hoosiers, infants, and pregnant women, showcasing how these initiatives promote overall health and well-being across different life stages.
Eden Bezy
Assistant Commissioner Women, Children & Families
Indiana Department of Health
Dr. Dan Rusyniak
Secretary
Family and Social Services Administration