IBJ Media

Meet the 2026 Women of Influence. Today we’re announcing this year’s class of leaders whose work, accomplishments and community impact are helping shape central Indiana. See the full list and meet the 2026 honorees: [LINK] Then join us Oct. 22 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom as we celebrate them at the Women of Influence Awards: https://lnkd.in/gvFxMwry

Two exceptional leaders. Two well-deserved honors. IBJ Media is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Women of Influence Career Achievement Award and Mentorship Award! Career Achievement Award: Cathy Langham Founder & CEO, Langham Logistics Inc. Mentorship Award: Melissa Proffitt Partner-in-Charge of Client Relations, Ice Miller LLP Please join us in congratulating Cathy and Melissa on these special recognitions. Read the announcement and learn more about the honorees: https://lnkd.in/gHv-abrC Celebrate with us on Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Networking begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by the program at 8:00 a.m. Reserve your seat for the 2026 Women of Influence awards: https://lnkd.in/ghaKuc6h

We celebrated the 2026 class of 20 in their Twenties: 20 emerging leaders already making their mark on central Indiana. Congratulations to this year’s honorees, and thank you to everyone who joined us at The Crane Bay Event Center to celebrate them. Meet the 2026 class: https://lnkd.in/gDyzMPDD

Today is the FINAL DAY to RSVP for our Sept. 22 conversation about the changing landscape of employer health care coverage and how businesses are balancing cost, quality, access and employee choice. Join us at The Crane Bay Event Center. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gW3J-Vp4

Today is the FINAL DAY to nominate an outstanding executive for the 2026 CEO of the Year and C-Suite Awards. Know a CEO or C-suite leader whose leadership, innovation and impact deserve recognition? Submit your nomination by the end of today. Nominate: https://lnkd.in/gju7K6RJ

Health care costs are rising, and employers are rethinking how they provide coverage. On Sept. 22, the Health Care & Benefits Power Breakfast will explore narrow provider networks, self-funded plans, ICHRAs and the trade-offs between cost, quality, access and employee choice. Keynote speaker Matthew Rae of KFF will help break down what these changes mean for employers, their workforce and Indiana’s health care providers. Register: https://lnkd.in/gW3J-Vp4

Nominations have been extended! You now have until Friday, Sept. 11, to nominate an outstanding leader for the 2026 CEO of the Year and C-Suite Awards. We’re looking for executives making a significant impact inside their organizations and across central Indiana. Submit a nomination: https://lnkd.in/gju7K6RJ

Rising health care costs are forcing employers to rethink the traditional benefits model. At IBJ’s 2026 Health Care & Benefits Power Breakfast, industry experts will examine how narrow provider networks, self-funded plans and Individual Coverage HRAs (ICHRA) are changing employer-provided coverage. The focus: balancing cost, quality, access and employee choice for the year ahead. 📅 Tuesday, Sept. 22 📍 The Crane Bay Event Center Networking: 7:30 a.m. | Program: 8 a.m. Register: https://lnkd.in/gW3J-Vp4

Five years of conversations. One recurring question: Who gets the opportunity, and what do leaders do once they have the power to create opportunities for others? The latest episode of IBJ’s The Freedom Forum with Angela B. Freeman looks back at five years of candid conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, mentorship, representation and leadership in Indiana. Hosted by Chris Spangle, the retrospective features insights and stories from Angela B. Freeman, Jimmie McMillian, Pete Yonkman, Juan Gonzalez, Kristin Weeden, Kaye Vitug and Mario Rodriguez. Their experiences show what inclusive leadership can look like in practice: seeing potential beyond a resume, creating space for people to succeed and fail, making representation meaningful, investing intentionally in communities, and building teams where different perspectives are genuinely heard. Thank you to every guest who has trusted The Freedom Forum with their story, and to Angela for five years of conversations designed to move Indiana’s business community forward. Listen to the fifth anniversary retrospective here: https://lnkd.in/gasw45sR This episode is brought to you by Equity 1821. Learn more at www.equity1821.org.

The 2026 20 in their Twenties class represents some of Central Indiana’s most promising emerging leaders. On Sept. 15, you have a chance to meet them. The morning will also feature keynote speaker Olivia West, Indiana Pacers & Fever in-game host and emcee. 📅 Tuesday, Sept. 15 📍 The Crane Bay Event Center Networking begins at 7:30 a.m.; the program starts at 8 a.m. Register today: https://lnkd.in/gidfx3F3