Luminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership
From navigating everyday team operations to carrying maximum impact in the boardroom, visionary leaders have used their experiences to create success. Listen to Luminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership as the Schmidt Associates’ team speaks with executives and leadership experts to uncover their achievements, watershed moments, and the turning points that have shaped their careers. Along the way, you’ll hear about their influences, discover what it takes to build strength and stability at the top, and learn lessons anyone in business can appreciate.
Episodes
31 episodes
Episode 31: Education, Business and Community: Brian Tomamichel on Navigating Change
In this episode of Luminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership, host Sarah Hempstead speaks with Brian Tomamichel, assistant superintendent for business and operations at Westfield Washington Schools. Tomam...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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25:32
Episode 30: Beyond the Classroom: The Future of Learning and Leadership with Mike Springer
In this inspiring episode of Luminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership, Sarah Hempstead sits down with Mike Springer, Superintendent of Norwell Community Schools, to explore his remarkable 30-year journey in educatio...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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31:51
Luminate: Building Communities with Vop Osili – From Architecture to Advocacy
In this inspiring episode of Luminate, Sarah Hempstead, CEO and Principal-in-Charge at Schmidt Associates, sits down with Vop Osili, President of the Indianapolis City-County Council. Vop shares his extraordinary journey from a childho...
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Episode 29
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29:40
Episode 28: Leading with Purpose – Owner-Centered Strategy and Community Impact with Audra Blasdel
Episode Introduction:Welcome to Luminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership, where we explore the journeys of visionary leaders making a difference. Today, our host, Sarah Hempstead, CEO and Principal-in-...
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Episode 28
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35:59
Episode 27: Rooted in Nature: Leadership, Advocacy, and the Power of the Outdoors with Layla George, President and CEO of Olmsted Parks and Conservancy
Episode 27: Rooted In Nature: Leadership, Advocacy and the Power of the Outdoors with Layla George, CEO and President of Olmsted Parks Conservancy Episode Introduction:Welcome to Luminate: Navigating the Unk...
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35:47
Episode 26: Creative Leadership in Education with Dr. Paul Kaiser
Introduction:Welcome to Luminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership. In this episode, Sarah Hempstead is joined by Dr. Paul Kaiser, Superintendent of Westfield Washington Schools. Dr. Kaiser brings over 4...
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34:54
Episode 25: Taking Care: A Health-Centered Conversation with Hosparus Health CEO David Cook
Introduction: Welcome to Luminate, where we dive into the minds of some of the most creative leaders shaping our world today. I'm Sarah Hempstead, architect, and CEO of Schmidt Associates. In this episode, I'm thrilled to sit down with D...
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Episode 25
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35:51
Episode 24: The Art of Hope and Leadership: A Conversation with Holy Cross College President Dr. Marco Clark
Thankful for his parents who were his first teachers and blessed with gifts of grit and determination, Holy Cross College President Dr. Marco Clark, Ed. D. has found great joy in serving others and impacting lives throughout his 30-year Catholi...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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34:38
Episode 23: A Legacy of Design and Education with Tom Neff, AIA, LEED AP
Join us as we explore the illustrious design career and remarkable creative leadership journey of Tom Neff, AIA, LEED AP. From growing up in Coshocton, Ohio to becoming a prominent figure in central Indiana’s K-12 architectural desi...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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33:37
Episode 22: Investing in Communities, Transforming Lives: The Leadership Story of Christamore House CEO La'Toya Pitts
Join Host Sarah Hempstead and Christamore House CEO La’Toya Pitts for an enlightening conversation on creative leadership. A driving force in the Haughville and Near Westside neighborhoods of Indianapolis, La’Toya has spearhea...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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29:02
Episode 21: Empowering Student Futures: Dr. Dottie King on Shaping a Student-Centric Culture in Higher Education
Join host Sarah Hempstead for Luminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership as she interviews Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) President and CEO Dr. Dottie King. Since stepping into her role, Dr. King has advocated for India...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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36:49
Episode 20: Revolutionizing Indy: Leonard Hoops' Creative Blueprint for Convention Success
Travel with us into the visionary world of Leonard Hoops, the president, and CEO of Visit Indy, and the driving force behind transforming Indianapolis into America’s top convention destination. From his Trinidadian roots to his rise in Indianap...
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33:09
The Art of Airborne Leadership with Mario Rodriguez
Embark on an intimate exploration of leadership and perseverance with Mario Rodriguez, the visionary leader at the Indianapolis Airport Authority. His tale, a tapestry woven from his parents' daring escape from Cuba and their indomitable spirit...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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31:01
Advocating For Art: A Leadership Conversation with Julie Goodman, President and CEO of the Indy Arts Council
How does the central Indiana arts community navigate and survive during challenging times? Learn how as Julie Goodman, the tenacious and inspiring President and CEO of the Indianapolis Arts Council explains. Follow along as she under...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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39:31
17: Shaping Landmarks and Lives: The Architectural Journey of Steve Alspaugh
A seasoned architect known for his creative leadership and dedication to his craft, Steve Alspaugh, FAIA, LEED AP, B+C shares his journey from a childhood fascination with The Brady Bunch to his current role as a Design Architect|Associate. Lis...
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Episode 17
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36:31
From Books to Buildings: The Educational Leadership Path of Angela Britian-Smith
Meet Angela Britain-Smith, fondly known as ABS, the director of operations at the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township (MSD Washington Township). In our enlightening conversation with Guest Hostess and K-12 Studio Leader Anna Mar...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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27:22
15: From Classroom to Boardroom: Dr. Shawn Smith's Leadership Evolution
Imagine leading a diverse cultural, racial, and socio-economic school district serving over 16,000 students and 2,500 employees and being responsible for equal and equitable opportunities for all. When he became Superintendent for the Metropoli...
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Episode 15
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30:27
Episode 14: Ken Britt, Chief Operating Officer and Chancellor, Marian University
As the founding dean of the Marian University Klipsch Educators College, the University’s former senior vice president of strategic growth and innovation, and now as Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Ken Britt has made a significant difference on-ca...
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Episode 14
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35:45
Episode 13: Dan Maloney, Director, Louisville Zoo
An innovative leader with a passion for conservation and animal wellness, Louisville Zoo director Dan Maloney believes that strong and effective leadership encourages inclusiveness and increased engagement among internal teams and the community...
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Episode 13
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39:11
Episode 12: Deborah Bilitski, Executive Director, Waterfront Development Corporation
With a background in law, city government, land use, and community development, Deborah Bilitski joined Louisville’s Waterfront Park in 2018 to continue its transformation into a city treasure. While developing a premiere destination for more t...
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Episode 12
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53:23
Episode 11: Aster Bekele, Felege Hiywot Center, Founder and CEO
As the Founder and CEO of the Felege Hiywot Center in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood of Indianapolis, Aster Bekele emigrated to the United States from Ethiopia and brought with her a sense of community and love. A retired chemist, Bekel...
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Episode 11
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38:47
Episode 10: Greg Hunt, Ed.S., Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, LaPorte Community School Corporation
For over nine years, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations for La Porte Community School Corporation, Greg Hunt has overseen district building projects that have positively contributed to the student experience, increased faculty ...
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Episode 10
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37:38
Episode 9: Dr. Nikki Woodson, Superintendent, MSD of Washington Township
As the superintendent of Metropolitan School District of Washington Township, Dr. Nikki Woodson is the face and voice many have come to know and trust. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she and other leaders worked with students, pare...
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Episode 9
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28:51
Episode 8: Michael McKillip, Executive Director, Midtown Indy
While serving as Board President for the Maple Road Development Association in 2007, Michael McKillip helped establish Midtown Inc. and became its first full-time Executive Director in 2012. Since then, he’s worked on Indianapolis’s Plan 2020 ‘...
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Episode 8
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25:02
Episode 7: Elizabeth Head, Head of School, International School of Indiana
As the third Head of School for the International School of Indiana (ISI) and the first female to hold the position, Elizabeth Head is a trailblazing leader with a breadth of International Baccalaureate curriculum, language immersion, and strat...
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Episode 7
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27:03