On this episode of the Freedom Forum, Angela B. Freeman talks with Burnell “BJ” Grimes Jr., director of Legal for North America Energy Solutions at Carrier Global Corporation. A lifelong Hoosier, Grimes shares his path from IU Bloomington and IU McKinney Law School to big law, government service and corporate counsel. He also discusses the criticality of intellectual property and legal operations on innovation and growth for any company, large or small.  Burnell further describes the importance of mentorship, authenticity, and the importance of community involvement for all leaders to have legacy impact.

Dr. Russell Ledet, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., shares his remarkable journey from digging through dumpsters as a child to becoming a triple board resident at IU Health. In this powerful episode of The Freedom Forum, host Angela B. Freeman explores how Dr. Ledet’s time in the U.S. Navy, his experience at an HBCU, and his pursuit of advanced education shaped his commitment to leadership, equity and service.

He discusses founding The 15 White Coats, fostering culturally relevant literacy, launching Reels and Roots, and developing an AI-powered mental health app to bridge communication between parents and teens. Dr. Ledet also reflects on how Indiana can build a more inclusive future in healthcare leadership.

Dr. Katasha S. Butler, PharmD, MBA, joins The Freedom Forum to share her inspiring rise from a curious grade schooler in Illinois to a senior healthcare leader at Eskenazi Health. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Butler reflects on her time at Spelman College and Butler University, her rapid ascent into pharmacy leadership, and the challenges she’s faced as a Black woman navigating bias in highly regulated systems. She unpacks the complexities of formulary management, regulatory compliance, and strategic partnerships—all while leading with empathy and integrity. From people-first leadership to breaking down barriers in healthcare access and equity, Dr. Butler’s story is a powerful testament to purpose, resilience, and the impact of showing up fully and authentically.

Our guest on this 46th episode of the 2025 season—celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month—is Kaye Vitug, senior vice president and chief financial officer at Roche Diagnostics. Vitug shares her powerful personal and professional journey from growing up in the Philippines to becoming a top financial executive in the global pharmaceutical and diagnostics industry.

She reflects on the values of education, service, faith and community that shaped her leadership style, and discusses the challenges of immigrating to the United States and navigating a corporate career as a Filipino American woman. Vitug also speaks about the importance of cultural agility, drawing from her global experiences in California, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Switzerland and now Indiana.

She offers valuable insight into the responsibilities of a CFO, the importance of authenticity in leadership, and the role that mentorship, coaching and sponsorship play in developing emerging leaders—particularly those from diverse backgrounds. She emphasizes resilience, humility and strategic thinking as essential qualities for success, and shares how her career has been shaped by leaders who took a chance on her potential. This episode is a thoughtful reflection on inclusive leadership, global experience and the importance of creating environments where all professionals can thrive.

Our guest on this 45th episode is Leon Williamson, Indianapolis market president for iHeartMedia. Leon shared his career journey from his Jamaican roots to leading one of the largest media organizations in the world. Leon reflected on the cultural shifts he experienced moving from Miami to the Midwest, and the importance of building local community and cultural connection both personally and professionally. Leon also discussed how his sales background and authentic leadership style have shaped his approach to managing diverse teams and fostering organizational success. Finally, he offered thoughtful insights on the evolving discourse around diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how individuals—particularly young or underrepresented professionals—can develop the confidence and clarity needed to lead with purpose and conviction.

In this special Women’s History Month episode of The Freedom Forum, host Angela B. Freeman talks with Tiffany Munsell, senior vice president of mature engine programs at Rolls-Royce. An Indianapolis native, Tiffany shares her unconventional path from law school to venture capital to aerospace leadership, highlighting the grit and resilience required to balance motherhood, career pivots and professional growth. She discusses her early role in helping launch Elevate Ventures, her transition to Rolls-Royce during the pandemic, and the challenges and rewards of being a Black female leader in a male-dominated industry. Tiffany also reflects on the lasting impact of her education at Spelman College, the importance of authenticity in leadership and the need for psychological safety in the workplace.

In this special Women’s History Month episode of The Freedom Forum, host Angela B. Freeman talks with Tiffany Munsell, senior vice president of mature engine programs at Rolls-Royce. An Indianapolis native, Tiffany shares her unconventional path from law school to venture capital to aerospace leadership, highlighting the grit and resilience required to balance motherhood, career pivots and professional growth. She discusses her early role in helping launch Elevate Ventures, her transition to Rolls-Royce during the pandemic, and the challenges and rewards of being a Black female leader in a male-dominated industry. Tiffany also reflects on the lasting impact of her education at Spelman College, the importance of authenticity in leadership and the need for psychological safety in the workplace.

Our guest on this 2025 Black History Month (BHM) episode is John Gaidoo of Cummins Inc. John discussed his executive legal career journey culminated by his African heritage, Marine military service, and training as a labor and employment attorney. John also discussed his real life and sometimes disparate experiences as a diverse man in corporate leadership, and the importance of leading an organization that shares your personal values and core belief system. Finally, John gave very transparent examples of the characteristics and skills that make for a great leader of people and how organizations can and should continue to invest and pour into their folks.

Al London is the Community Impact Director and Sr. Vice President at Old National Bank. Al shared some great information on how the banking industry has become more intentional about supporting and educating diverse communities to successfully prepare to obtain funding for home or business ownership and to reduce the wealth gap by helping the underserved and underbanked grow generational wealth. Importantly, Al forecast his current involvement in a legacy-creating passion project to build (literally from the ground up) Indiana’s first-ever Minority Depository Institution (MDI), Generations Community Bank, which is slated to open later this year with him as its CEO.

To round out our sports leadership focus this year, on this final 2024 episode of Indianapolis Business Journal’s podcast, The Freedom Forum with Angela B. Freeman, we are excited to announce our guest is Mary Kay Huse of Indy Ignite Pro Volleyball. Mary Kay stopped by the studio to tell us all about this brand new professional women’s volleyball team beginning its first season here in Indianapolis on January 11, 2025. Specifically, Mary Kay provided significant insight into how this first expansion team of the Pro Volleyball Federation landed in Indy, has recruited its players, and is working to ensure this new professional women’s sport incites a substantial following to establish its own legacy that will continue for years. Mary Kay also described her own entrepreneurial leadership journey that has led to this unique and exciting career opportunity through which she intends to have lasting impact.