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Tobias Center Vision

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.

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Past Hazelett Forums » Hazelett Forum 2009

Patricia Miller and Co-founder Barbara Baekgaard founded Vera Bradley in 1982, which quickly grew into an internationally recognized brand. Vera Bradley designs and manufacturers cotton quilted handbags, travel bags and accessories, and the Vera Bradley brand has recently expanded to include eyewear, tableware, rolling luggage, home furnishings, stationery and men’s ties.

Patricia took a leave of absence in 2005 to serve as Indiana’s first Secretary of Commerce for the State of Indiana and CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.  She returned to Vera Bradley in early 2006.  Currently Patricia is also serving as a board member of the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer and the Northeast Indiana Corporate Council. In the past she has served as a board member on more than 15 boards.  Patricia and her husband, Mike, enjoy golf, tennis, bicycling, traveling, reading, lake activities, and spending time with their three sons, five grandchildren and their families.

About the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer: In 1994, the personal loss of a dear friend to breast cancer inspired Patricia and Barbara to add a new dimension to Vera Bradley. They established the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.  To date the Foundation has contributed nearly $7 million to the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center bringing a pledge total of $10 million.

2008 National Philanthropy Day Award, Outstanding Philanthropist
2008 Indiana Historical Society, Indiana Living Legend Award
2008 James R. Jordan Foundation Advisory Board
2008 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis Board
2007 Indiana Commission for Women Torchbearer Award for Business
2006 Ball State University Indiana Women of Achievement Award for Entrepreneurship
2006 to Current - Indiana University Foundation Board
2006 Received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award
2006 Inducted into the Junior Achievement Greater Fort Wayne Hall of Fame
2006 Boys and Girls Club Brilliant Women Award
2003 Indiana Chamber of Commerce Board Member
2003 to Current - IU Distinguished Alumnae Service Award / Board President 2006-2008
2003 Fort Wayne Parks Foundation Board
2002 Northeast Indiana Alumni Award
2002 IUPUI Spirit of Philanthropy Award
2002 Virginia Jenckes Award presented by Indiana Commission for Women
1999 YWCA Helene R. Foellinger Award
1999 The Ove Jorgensen Spirit of Leadership Award – Junior Achievement
1997 Honoree of Beta Gamma Sigma – Indiana University/Purdue University
1997 Kappa Delta National Sorority Woman of Achievement
1997 Indiana Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year
1987 Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the state of Indiana from Arthur Young/VENTURE Magazine


About the Hazelett Forum

This program grows out of a desire to honor and hear from individuals who are successful leaders. Our speakers are individuals who exemplify excellence in leadership and work to support the advancement of women in leadership roles.

With the generous support of Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, the Randall L. Tobias Foundation, IU Tobias Center for Leadership Excellence, IUPUI, and its Office for Women have combined efforts to create the Hazelett Women in Leadership Forum. The Hazelett Forum joins the mission of the IU Tobias Center to
inspire leadership excellence with IUPUI’s commitment to fostering a climate of diversity, opportunity, and equity for women and men.

To this end, the IU Tobias Center, the IUPUI Office for Women, IUPUI Chancellor Charles R. Bantz and his wife, Professor Sandra Petronio, and the IU Foundation invite the community, corporate leaders, students, and scholars to share in a learning experience focused on women leaders in all walks of life. Honorees offer insights into knowledge about leadership in the modern workplace, including their reflections on the role of gender, work/life balance, and effective communication.

This Forum was established in honor of the late Susie Hazelett, the former Executive Director of the Randall L. Tobias Foundation. She was instrumental in helping to establish the IU Tobias Center for Leadership Excellence and we are proud to have her name associated with this important leadership forum.

The Hazelett Forum was made possible by a generous gift from Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, who wanted to honor Susie Hazelett’s outstanding work for the Tobias Family Foundation, the community of Indianapolis, the State of Indiana, and for the women in these communities. By establishing this Forum within the Tobias Center, it is his hope the Forum will present at least one program each year focusing on the issues of leadership in gender, family, and work/life balance. The Hazelett Women in Leadership Forum serves various constituencies of the university, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and interested persons in the community, by providing a forum for knowledgeable and creative speakers to celebrate the achievements of women leaders in various walks of life and to elevate public discussions and university scholarship on women in leadership roles.


Directions to the Campus Center

The Campus Center is located on the southwest corner of the Michigan Street and University Boulevard intersection.  The Campus Center address is 420 University Boulevard and you can enter the building through one of the six outside entrances.  You will find three entrances on the ground level:  south of the cube on University Blvd., at the intersection of Vermont Street and University Blvd., and just east of the entrance to the Vermont Street garage.   The three entrances to the second floor include two from the third level of the Vermont Street garage and one via the skybridge from Cavanaugh Hall.  

Directions to the Campus Center

From the north

Head south on Meridian Street. Turn right onto Michigan Street. The Campus Center is at the intersection of Michigan Street and University Boulevard.  For parking, continue west on Michigan to Barnhill Drive and take a left on to Barnhill Drive.  Remain in the left hand lane and take another left on to Vermont Street which is the upcoming intersection.   Follow the Visiting Parking signs that lead you to the second entrance of the Vermont Street garage on your left. 

From the east

Head west on Michigan Street, crossing over West Street. The Campus Center is at the intersection of Michigan Street and University Boulevard.  For parking, continue west on Michigan to Barnhill Drive and take a left on to Barnhill Drive.  Remain in the left hand lane and take another left on to Vermont Street which is the upcoming intersection.   Follow the Visiting Parking signs that lead you to the second entrance of the Vermont Street garage on your left. 

From the south

Head north on Meridian Street. Turn left onto Michigan Street. The Campus Center is at the intersection of Michigan Street and University Boulevard.  For parking, continue west on Michigan to Barnhill Drive and take a left on to Barnhill Drive.  Remain in the left hand lane and take another left on to Vermont Street which is the upcoming intersection.   Follow the Visiting Parking signs that lead you to the second entrance of the Vermont Street garage on your left. 

From the west

Head east on 10th Street. Turn right onto Stadium Drive/Indiana Avenue, and make an immediate right onto University Boulevard. The Campus Center is at the intersection of Michigan Street and University Boulevard.  For parking, continue west on Michigan to Barnhill Drive and take a left on to Barnhill Drive.  Remain in the left hand lane and take another left on to Vermont Street which is the upcoming intersection.   Follow the Visiting Parking signs that lead you to the second entrance of the Vermont Street garage on your left.