Southern Indiana Business Report
DUBOIS — Northeast Dubois Jr/Sr High School senior Brooklyn Kiefer has been named to the Rising 30 Class of 2024 for her work in advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML).
Conexus Indiana announced today the newest members of the Conexus Indiana Rising 30, an exclusive group of young professionals who are recognized for their early-in-career accomplishments in Indiana’s largest industry sector.
The Rising 30 program, presented by KSM, is in its fourth year and is part of Conexus Indiana’s mission to strengthen Indiana’s AML industries. Rising 30 honorees exemplify leadership and innovation in AML and are poised to become Indiana’s future industry leaders.
Kiefer is the production manager at Jeep Engineering and Manufacturing at Northeast Dubois Jr/Sr High School.
According to a press release, Kiefer, 18, already has distinguished herself as an advanced manufacturing
veteran who knows how to both lead and collaborate with peers, how to have tough conversations, and how to work the phones to generate business.
As a senior at Northeast Dubois, she has been a leader in
her school’s student-run business enterprise during three years of growth and changes. She has helped
the business with tools such as 3D printers, heat presses, laser cutters, and a CNC router to expand the
business to serve outside customers.
She plans to take her passion for problem solving and math to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute to study design engineering.
“Brooklyn is a rising star in all aspects. She is gritty and really does whatever it takes to be successful, whether that is in our Jeep Engineering and Manufacturing program, any other classes, or on the athletic field,” said Andy Chinn, Northeast Dubois Jr/Sr High School principal. “She is business savvy and knows
what’s going on. Brooklyn is very mature beyond her years and it is just a joy to see that in all aspects of her life. We are so proud of Brooklyn for helping take our school to the next level. This is a tremendous honor for anyone, especially for an 18 year old student to be recognized with this group of individuals.”
Rising 30 honorees represent diverse professions, including quality specialists, entrepreneurs and business owners, engineers, educators, CEOs and software designers. The companies they work for range from large international companies to local start-ups in cities and towns all across the
state.
This year’s honorees were nominated by their employer or an industry representative, and winners
were selected based on their early-career accomplishments. In the coming year, the Rising 30 honorees
will participate in Conexus Indiana’s work by serving as thought leaders on subjects ranging from
emerging technology, smart manufacturing, public policy and talent development.
“The dynamic professionals named to this year’s Rising 30 cohort are defining what it means to be a
young leader in Indiana’s AML sector,” said Fred Cartwright, president and CEO of Conexus Indiana. “I’m
more optimistic than ever about the future of industry in Indiana after meeting this year’s honorees and
learning about their accomplishments and plans for the future.”
2024 Rising 30 honorees were honored during a special event on Thursday in downtown
Indianapolis. To view bios of each honoree, visit www.conexusindiana.com/rising-30. Nominations will
open for the 2025 class in November.