Innovation, Inspiration, Indiana
Indy Chamber Leadership Exchange (LEX) Key Takeaways
Join ICR for its October Education Series on Thursday, October 24 to hear highlights from the Indy Chamber Leadership Exchange (LEX). The annual LEX program studies the economic and cultural infrastructure of another metropolitan region to learn and apply best practices. LEX includes a 100+ Chamber member delegation of Central Indiana leaders including business, education, philanthropy and government.
Boston rightfully is the world’s top bio-tech hub. What was done during the last two decades to transition from a declining manufacturing economy to a world-leading bio-tech standing? Starting with just a handful of bio-tech firms, Boston is now home to hundreds of bio-tech corporations and start-ups. An impressive and active Harvard, Cambridge and MIT research community combines with exceptional, long-term public sector leadership. Boston’s innovation districts include Harvard Innovation Lab, Kendall Square and Seaport District. Leadership, talent and financial commitments have been and continue to be essential. Both university and corporate-driven research have established strong collaborations. Throw in very savvy real estate development that embraces all aspects of multi-use, programming and quality of life expectations and you have a blueprint for success. All give a framework for the emerging areas in central Indiana seeking to leverage research and development, attract and retain talent and deliver a desirable quality of life.
Join us on Thursday, October 24 at Indiana Landmarks, 1201 Central Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46202. Registration and networking opens at 7:30 a.m. The program will run from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET and include time for Q & A. We hope you will join us for this insightful program!
Panelists Include
- Emily Krueger, 16 Tech Community Corporation
- Taylor Hughes, Indy Chamber
- Aletha Dunston, Indy Chamber
- Tim Jeffers, CSO Architects
About Our Panelists
Emily Krueger, President & CEO
16 Tech Community Corporation
Emily Krueger is the President and CEO of 16 Tech Community Corporation, the non-profit responsible for the 16 Tech Innovation District, an emerging 50-acre mixed-use development in downtown Indianapolis dedicated to fostering innovation and economic opportunity. Krueger joined 16 Tech in 2018 as its chief operating officer and was named President and CEO in 2022. Krueger has been instrumental in taking 16 Tech from an aspirational to an active place and ensuring the availability and access of resources that lower barriers to entrepreneurship.
Prior to joining 16 Tech in 2018, Krueger served as Vice President of Administration for Indianapolis-based LDI, Ltd., one of Indiana’s largest private companies. As a member of the executive leadership team, Krueger helped evaluate acquisition opportunities and grow companies in a variety of industries and stages of development.
Krueger, a native Hoosier, spent her early career working for former U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar in a variety of Capitol Hill and campaign positions. An active community leader, she lends her fundraising and communications expertise to a number of local nonprofit organizations focused on health, education and the arts.
Krueger is a graduate of Valparaiso University and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, where she earned her MBA. She is a former Fulbright grant recipient. In 2024, Krueger was named by the IBJ to the Indiana 250, a list of the state’s most influential and impactful leaders across business, philanthropy, the arts, government and not-for-profits.
Taylor Hughes, Chief Strategy Officer
Indy Chamber
Taylor serves as the Chief Strategy Officer and Chief of Staff at the Indy Chamber, helping lead the effort to accelerate the Indy region’s economy for all by inspiring people, cultivating places, and growing business. His team focuses on organizational strategy, resourcing, advocacy, and strategic land use initiatives.
Before coming to the Indy Chamber, Taylor served on the Public Policy team at United Way of Central Indiana and has previous experience in research roles at international development and local policy advocacy organizations. Outside his Chamber duties, Taylor serves on several nonprofit and community-based organization boards. Taylor holds a BA in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from Taylor University, and a Master of Science in International Relations from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom.
Aletha Dunston, VP of strategic Initiatives
Indy Chamber
Aletha serves as the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the Indy Chamber where she focuses on strategic priorities of the regional business community and major institutional partners, as well as economic development attraction in collaboration with Develop Indy.
She most recently served as the Executive Director of the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority (FHRA), managing many successful mixed-use redevelopment projects to help form the cultural district known as ‘Fort Ben’ on Indy’s northeast side, attracting projects ranging from single and multi-family housing, historic redevelopment and placemaking projects, and a new hotel and library branch.
Prior to this role, she managed the State of Indiana’s federal CDBG program and served as a liaison to help 100+ communities access resources and plan for the future. She also has 8 years of experience as a planning and community development director and active Main Street volunteer.
Aletha currently serves as State Chair of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), and is a proud graduate of the Ball State University College of Architecture and Planning and SKL Class XLV leadership program. She is passionate about creating great spaces and preserving great places, and continues to seek opportunities to serve and support programs that move the City, State and profession forward.
Tim Jeffers, Principal
CSO Architects
As the Director of Business Development and Community Relations, Tim manages outreach and public affairs functions for the firm. He also guides CSO’s philanthropic efforts.
A former Army Public Affairs Officer, Tim’s expertise includes sixteen years in state government. His knowledge of public policy and the legislative process provides unique insight and guidance for projects associated with governmental and public entities. His expertise is particularly valuable for projects involving master planning and developing public information and outreach efforts.
Tim has been with CSO since 2008 and was named a Principal in 2020. His significant community involvement includes service on the Indy Chamber Board of Directors and Business Advocacy Committee, CYO and Scecina High School Board of Directors, Samantha’s House & Van Foundation Board, Lutheran High School Booster Club, and over 30 years as Precinct Committeeman for the Marion County Democratic Party. He is a former Indiana Army National Guardsman and U.S. Army Reservist with service during Operation Iraqi Freedom.