Sarah Myer has spent her career turning Indianapolis into a destination, and she is not done yet. As Senior Director of Communications and Marketing at Indiana Sports Corp, she helped execute the 2021 NCAA Men's Tournament bubble, led the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium, and is now building toward the 2026 Men's Final Four and beyond.

Myer traces her path from a Cleveland suburb to Butler University, where a professor handed her a $30-per-game rooftop camera job with the Indianapolis Indians and opened her eyes to what the city could offer. She talks about interning with the Indiana Pacers during the 2004 brawl, marketing the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra through a financial crisis, and what those hard seasons taught her about crisis communications, self-advocacy, and resilience.

She also speaks candidly about personal loss in 2020, the grief that followed, and how a November phone call about hosting the entire NCAA Tournament gave her something to pour herself into.

The conversation covers what makes Indianapolis's local organizing committee model unique, why the city is pursuing an NFL Draft bid for 2030, and what fans can expect for free at the 2026 Men's Final Four on American Legion Mall. Myer closes with three words she would give any young professional: be curious, be humble, and do not be a jerk.

Kyle Albrecht, the new president and CEO of USA Gymnastics, joins Talent Scout to discuss his path from playing Division I soccer at George Washington University to leading one of the country's most prominent Olympic sports organizations. Albrecht shares his career journey through Under Armour, Major League Soccer and now USA Gymnastics, his vision for growing the sport ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and the planned national Training Wellness Center in Noblesville, Indiana.

On this episode of Talent Scout, host Dave Neff talks with Blaine Zimmerman, chief talent and marketing officer for the Indy Chamber, about the experiences that shaped him and the work he is leading across the region. Zimmerman reflects on growing up in Tipton and Cicero, the influence of his great-grandfather Gene Fox, and running track and cross country at Indiana State. He shares why he left college early to join the Army, what life looked like as an infantryman with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and how that transition eventually led him into talent work focused on helping veterans build civilian careers. He explains how InVets grew its reach by building trust with military bases and hosting virtual resume, networking and LinkedIn training with employers. At the Indy Chamber, Zimmerman outlines priorities tied to economic development, telling Indianapolis’ story, and attracting and retaining talent, including efforts to better connect college students and interns with the city. He also discusses apprenticeships, the “I’m Not Done Yet” message, Speed City, and why mentorship and saying yes opened doors in Indianapolis, closing with his definition of success: the ripples you create by helping others.

Emily Poff joins Dave Neff to talk about her promotion to vice president of operations at Prolific and the career path that took her from New Castle to nonprofit leadership and into business operations. She shares how faith and community shaped her early years, why she studied political science and nonprofit management at Olivet Nazarene University, and what she learned working at United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties and the Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce. Poff also breaks down Prolific’s portfolio companies, credits Brad Benbow as a key mentor, and explains what she gained from earning her MBA at Butler University and her Society for Human Resource Management certification.

Indianapolis Colts placekicker Spencer Shrader talks with Dave Neff about his unique journey from Westfield, Indiana, and homeschool roots to pursuing pro soccer in Brazil and Canada before switching to football in his senior year of high school. Shrader explains walking on at South Florida, earning a scholarship, transferring to Notre Dame and how faith and embracing discomfort shaped his decisions.

Addison “A.T.” Simpson joins Talent Scout to talk about growing up on Indianapolis’ east side, the family legacy that shaped him, and why he believes Indy is worth the investment. Simpson reflects on his path from Cathedral High School to Purdue football under Joe Tiller, including lessons in discipline, leadership, and a winning mindset from the Drew Brees era. He also shares his career journey from the Hoosier Lottery to medical device sales, then into entrepreneurship in construction, before stepping into his current role as a regional manager with McFarland Construction. Simpson discusses bringing McFarland’s community-focused approach to Indiana, the joint venture work connected to the LEAP District, and why mentorship, relationships, and accessible leadership matter for the city’s future.

Whittney Parkinson, owner of Whittney Parkinson Design, joins host Dave Neff on Talent Scout to share her path from growing up in Kokomo to leading a small, high-end design firm in Indiana. Parkinson talks about learning business by watching her parents build their companies, studying art and illustration, and pivoting from Ringling School of Art and Design to interior design in Chicago.

She explains how working with her father after the 2008-09 financial crisis shaped her fast, hands-on approach, and why psychology classes helped her manage clients, personalities and high-emotion projects. Parkinson also discusses launching her firm in 2016, setting strict boundaries as a mother of three, vetting clients, and focusing on full home renovations and new builds, often in the Meridian Kessler, Meridian Hills, Carmel and Zionsville areas.

Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen, the city’s 29th mayor, joins Dave Neff on Talent Scout to share how growing up in Noblesville and being raised by a single mom shaped his leadership and life as a father of four.

Jensen talks about his time at Butler University, including early setbacks, joining a fraternity, serving as a male cheerleader and returning to win class president. He also explains how an internship with state Sen. Luke Kenley led to working with Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and how mentors like Skillman, Kenley, Mitch Daniels, Susan Brooks and Eric Holcomb influenced his approach to public service.

The conversation covers taking office in January 2020, navigating COVID-19 and seeing downtown momentum, including $150 million in private investment announced in 2020 and $4 billion in private investment over about five and a half years. Jensen also discusses the Noblesville Boom, a $93 million arena, the team name’s ties to Noblesville history, and regional work through the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority and AIM.

On this episode of the Talent Scout podcast, host Dave Neff talks with Homefield Apparel co-founder and CEO Connor Hitchcock about growing up as the oldest of five, discovering entrepreneurship at Indiana University, and turning a viral “the kick was good” T-shirt into a fast-growing collegiate apparel company. Hitchcock shares how he and his wife, Krista, launched Homefield in 2018, scaled to nearly 200 college licenses, and built a 40-person team committed to thoughtful design and a four day work week. He discusses licensing hurdles, March Madness surges, the company’s Indianapolis Motor Speedway line, the impact of X on brand growth, and his commitment to central Indiana through organizations such as PourHouse and Purdue Polytechnic.

Get insights on entrepreneurship, sports licensing, and building a people-first brand from one of Indiana’s most creative founders.

Maggie Cunningham, director of air service and airport experience for the Indianapolis Airport Authority, joins Talent Scout to share how Indy secures new nonstop flights, grows international service, and maintains one of the top ranked airports in the country. Cunningham talks about growing up in Pearland, Texas, studying economics at Southwestern University, launching her career at the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, and discovering her passion for air service development. She explains how data, airline relationships, and community engagement shape new routes, including Indy’s nonstop flight to Dublin. Cunningham also discusses her civic involvement with the International Center and leadership programs that helped her build a network in Indiana.