The illustrious basketball career of Tamika Catchings (NCAA, WNBA and four-time Olympic champion) came to a close in 2016. The next chapter of her story begins there with an executive role with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, ownership of an Indianapolis tea café and additional business endeavors. Her passion for life, commitment to giving back and willingness to experience new things means many more adventures to come. Tamika shares stories and offers guidance that all can benefit from.

Jay Baer is very successful at talking and writing about digital marketing. He has the clients and accolades to prove it. And he does it all, for the last eight years, from a Bloomington, Indiana base. His upcoming book, Talk Triggers: The Complete Guide to Creating Customers with Word of Mouth, focuses on the importance of a coordinated word-of-mouth strategy. He shares some examples and much more in a wide-ranging discussion that also includes how he came to Indiana, becoming a certified BBQ judge and the crucial importance of excellent airport experiences.

He gained national attention by becoming mayor of his hometown at the age of 23. Seven years later, it’s innovative downtown redevelopment and economic development victories that have people talking about Chris McBarnes and Frankfort. McBarnes insists there is a place for rural America – and Indiana towns – when it comes to housing and population growth. He calls himself a “regular Joe,” who plays guitar and sings to connect with residents. And it hurts, he admits, when he can’t solve all the problems that come before him.

Parkview Health President and CEO Mike Packnett, the Indiana Chamber’s 2015 Business Leader of the Year, modestly says if he does his main job well – hiring 12 excellent senior leaders – life is good. That is an excellent start, but obviously health care is a bit more complicated. Packnett reveals where the broad-based health system is achieving success in its goal of personalized patient journeys and what more needs to be done. Cancer care, research and regional growth are among the other topics that he thoughtfully weighs in on.

Paul Thrift and partner John Thompson (hence, the Thompson-Thrift name for their development and construction company) have a 32-year success story that began with “flipping houses” in Terre Haute to earn money to attend Indiana State University. Thrift breaks down the company’s evolution and talks about the intriguing culinary development they are helping bring to Fishers. He weighs in on regional economic development and the passion of Thompson-Thrift team members to do their part to help battle the opioid epidemic.

Becky Skillman led economic development trade missions to 13 countries as lieutenant governor. In rising to the No. 2 leadership post in the state Senate before that, she overcome some traditions and split political power that forced the bipartisanship that is so often missing today. Topics include her hometown of Bedford, the economic engine of Crane (and efforts to protect it from the base realignment and closure process), additional assets in south central Indiana, her service as co-chair of the Indiana Bicentennial Commission and much more.

Twenty-three start-up companies in the current academic year. More than 100 students engaged in entrepreneurship and innovation activities. A first-ever IDEA week that blew away expectations. Bryan Ritchie, associate provost for innovation at the University of Notre Dame and head of the IDEA Center, talks about these ingredients and much more – including “The Engine” process and being willing to “lean in and get hit by a pitch and then doing it again.” Learn about the momentum in the north central Indiana region and where things may be headed next.

Peter Burke was publisher of a weekly business journal when he and others decided to honor the top workplaces in Pennsylvania. Today, his Best Companies Group runs Best Places to Work programs in numerous states, regions, industries and more. He has the insights of what makes for an outstanding workplace culture – hint: it’s not really a secret, but the key is executing – and a large volume of funny stories from his time on the road. Join us for a fast-paced Best Places conversation.

Kyle Hupfer, who has served in a variety of public and private sector roles in his career, currently has one of each – including chairman of the Indiana Republican Party. While the state party may be on the sidelines in the current three-way U.S. Senate primary battle, trying to gain the seat in November is the top priority for 2018. Learn about other key goals, the rapidly changing nature of political campaigns today and inside perspectives on our state’s recent executive leaders. And we start off with a look back at Hupfer’s highly successful baseball career.

John Zody, chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, looks at his role and the political landscape in buckets of three. First, the party infrastructure breaks down into fundraising, organization and communication – topics he admits thinking about every day. If he could wave the magic wand and improve the institution of politics, he would focus on voting rights, campaign finance reform and nonpartisan redistricting.