The enduring mission of the Tobias Center is inspiring leadership excellence on a national scale. Special access to the Center’s work will be furnished to Indiana citizens for the distinct purpose of enhancing leadership within the state.
Dennis Bland
Dennis Bland was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He received his primary and secondary education from Indianapolis Public Schools and is a graduate DePauw University. After being employed for two years at American States Insurance as a commercial underwriter, Dennis attended the Indiana University School of Law -- Indianapolis, and earned his juris doctorate degree. Following law school, Dennis returned to IPS where he served two years as a substitute teacher after which he began a solo practice concentrating in business law. In 1994, he accepted a position as staff attorney with the Indiana Department of Insurance where he specialized in insurance regulatory law and medical malpractice litigation. In 1987, Dennis began serving as a volunteer program facilitator at the Center for Leadership Development, an Indianapolis based non-profit corporation dedicated to empowering African American youth for excellence. In 1989, Dennis was asked to join the CLD board of directors, and in May, 2000, the CLD board appointed him president.
David W. Goodrich
David Goodrich serves as the President and CEO of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Prior to joining the partnership in 1999, Goodrich enjoyed a successful career in commercial real estate. He held the position of the President of F.C. Tucker Company’s Real Estate Division. He has also worked with the Irwin Management Company located in Columbus, Indiana and Sea Pines Corporation of Hilton Head, South Carolina. He has been involved through corporate boards with American United Life Insurance Company, Citizens Utility, Irwin Financial, and Clarian Health Partners. Mr. Goodrich has set an example of fulfilling philanthropic duties by serving as Chairman of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and Governor of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Mr. Goodrich holds a BBA from the University of Michigan and a MBA from the University of Virginia.
Lee Hamilton
Lee Hamilton has acted as the Director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars since 1999. Before joining the Woodrow Wilson Center as Director, Lee Hamilton served as a Congressman from Indiana for thirty-four years. During his time in Congress, Mr. Hamilton became a leader on foreign affairs and served this cause through his participation in various committees. He championed the cause of economic policy by acting as the Chair of the Joint Economic Committee. He furthered efficiency and integrity of Congress through his work as Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress. Due to his experience in foreign affairs and distinguished career, Mr. Hamilton recently served as Vice Chair of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9-11 Commission). During his career, Lee Hamilton has been awarded numerous medals for distinguished service in the arenas of public service and human rights. He serves his home state of Indiana by serving as the Director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University. Mr. Hamilton holds a BA from DePauw University and a JD from Indiana University.
Frances Hesselbein
Frances Hesselbein is currently the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management. She previously served as its founding President and CEO from 1990-2000. Mrs. Hesselbein, because of her role as the CEO of the Girl Scouts of America, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Former President George H.W. Bush commended her service by appointing her to two Presidential Commissions on national and community service. During her career, Mrs. Hesselbein has served on numerous boards in the public and private sector such as the Board of Mutual of America Life Insurance Company and the Chairman of the Board of Volunteers of America. Mrs. Hesselbein has served in an editorial role for publications such as Leader to Leader and various volumes from the Drucker Foundation. Among her many honors include the Henry A. Rosso Medal for lifetime achievement in ethical fund raising from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.
Marie Johns
Marie Johns is the former Verizon President for Verizon Washington, DC. While at Verizon, Ms. Johns spearheaded community efforts by obtaining a $10 million grant for the DC Public Schools to implement a career initiative. She also helped develop DC Reads, a literacy coalition that provides support to various leadership, training, and development programs. Ms. Johns serves as a Trustee for Howard University, the International Women’s Forum, as a member of the DC Chamber of Commerce, and in many other capacities in both the private and public sectors. She has been the recipient of over 100 awards for her leadership in business and the community, and was honored as 2003 alumnus of the year from the Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs. The Network Journal recognized Ms. Johns as one of the Twenty-five Most Influential Black Women in Business in April of 2003. Ms. Johns has a BS and MPA from Indiana University and has completed graduate management studies at Harvard University and the University of Virginia.
Lynn Luckow
Lynn Luckow has recently completed a two year term as President and CEO of Northern California Grantmakers (NCG). NCG is comprised of 170 various corporate programs and foundations with primary locations in Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. During his tenure, NCG benefited through repositioning efforts by focusing on its vision and priorities, growing membership, broadening and deepening of education programs, adding family foundations, and launching a public policy agenda. Previous to his efforts at NCG, Mr. Luckow had a distinguished career as President, CEO, and board member of Jossey-Bass Publishers. Over his career, Mr. Luckow has served as national board chair of Chanticleer, a GRAMMY Award-winning choral ensemble. He also served as board chair of the National 4-H Council. Mr. Luckow assumed numerous positions in civic leadership through various organizations and educational institutions. Mr. Luckow holds BA from North Dakota, a MS from Indiana University, and he has studied organizational psychology, management, and leadership at The Fielding Institute.
William G. Mays
William Mays is best known for founding the highly successful Mays Chemical Company. Early in his career, Mr. Mays served as an assistant to the President at the Cummins Engine Company. After four years at Cummins, Mays left for the position of President of Specialty Chemicals Company. During his tenure at Specialty Chemicals, sales grew dramatically from $300,000 to over $5 million. In 1980 Mays left Specialty Chemicals to found the Mays Chemical Company. What started as a one-person operation has grown to include facilities in Indianapolis, Chicago, Detroit, and Cincinnati that maintain a reputation of excellence. Mr. Mays owns The Indianapolis Recorder, the nation’s fourth oldest African-American newspaper, and in the past he also owned Hoosier Radio and Television Properties. His entrepreneurial spirit keeps him busy in several smaller companies and interests within the community as well, and his reputation for philanthropy is well known through his efforts with the NAACP and the Mays Family Foundation. Mr. Mays holds a BA and MBA from Indiana University, and he has been presented with honorary doctorate degrees from both the University of Evansville and Indiana University.
Dayton Molendorp
As President, Chairman of the Board and CEO of OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc., Dayton H. Molendorp leads OneAmerica’s nationwide network of companies and affiliates. Charged with the mission of leading an enterprise that is client-focused and able to deliver long-term value to its stakeholders, Molendorp’s early years in the field exposed him to what he refers to as the “miracle of life insurance” and the impact of insurance on families and loved ones. An experienced leader, Molendorp has more than 32 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry. After four years in college followed by four years in the U.S. Air Force, Molendorp started his professional career as an agent with Mutual Security Life, Fort Wayne, IN. Under his leadership, individual annuity assets under management grew from approximately $200 million to more than $2 billion. He is active on many local boards and committees in the Indianapolis area and holds memberships in several Insurance organizations. He has also received the designation of Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF).
Suellen Reed
As Indiana’s 36th Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Suellen K. Reed is Indiana’s Chief State School Officer, serving as the Chairperson of the State Board of Education and the CEO of the Indiana Department of Education. First elected in November 1992 and sworn into office on Jan. 11, 1993 as Indiana’s first female State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Reed currently is serving her fourth consecutive four-year term. During her tenure as Superintendent, she has played a fundamental role in shaping major educational reform initiatives for Indiana, including Indiana’s academic standards, ISTEP+ testing, Public Law 221, and the Indiana Education Roundtable. Dr. Reed has also visited schools in all 92 counties during her first three terms and has visited 35 counties so far in her fourth term. Additionally, she has contributed her time and talents to many organizations, including Phi Delta Kappa, Delta Kappa Gamma, Kappa Delta Pi, and the Council of Chief State School Officers. Prior to her term as State Superintendent, Dr. Reed served as a teacher at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and local superintendent. Dr. Reed received her B.A. from Hanover College, her M.A. from Ball State University, and her Ed.D. from Ball State. She has completed post-master’s and postdoctoral work at Indiana University, Purdue University, Indiana State University, University of Southern Indiana, Butler University, Earlham College, University of Alaska, Florida Atlantic University, University of Scranton, University of Virginia at Edinburgh University in Scotland, and the Oxford Roundtable in the United Kingdom. She has also traveled widely, visiting schools throughout the world.
