Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
The Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation’s Class VIII Fellowship application goes live on Jan. 2, 2025 at www.mdlfindiana.org/fellowship. The statewide leadership program was established in 2016 to create a network of change agents working to make Indiana the best place to build a future.
Fellows can be those at the start of their careers to seasoned professionals. Past classes have represented a multitude of industries and geography. To date, 141 fellows have represented 27 Indiana counties.
Lauren James, MDLF executive director, would like to see more counties represented, in particular the state’s rural counties. As a statewide organization, “We want to make sure we’re showing up in rural areas and places we’ve not shown up before for recruitment,” said James, who is from a small, rural community herself.
The 25 accepted applicants will participate in a year-long, immersive program with an optional second year that meets quarterly. Classes are held in-person once a month at various locations throughout the state and in the past have included Indianapolis, Evansville, Fort Wayne, West Lafayette and South Bend.
During the first year, participants learn about important issues and opportunities focusing on the state of Indiana’s economy, education and health through lecture classes, socratic-style discussions and case studies. The fellows then apply their learnings through a self-led capstone project aligned to one of four lanes: starting a new initiative, upleveling a current initiative, writing and proposing a policy paper or meaningful engagement in public service.
“Simply put, what we’re most proud of is empowering our fellows to work together to drive bold and pragmatic change in their communities and overall improving our state, just as our namesake has done,” James said.
James said MDLF is the only organization in the state offering a program of its stature at no cost to participants. The Foundation invests over $7,500 for each participant to experience the program thanks to donations and sponsorships.
MDLF was founded at the end of 2012 as Daniels was ending his final term as Indiana governor and beginning his time as president of Purdue University. Having retired from Purdue in 2022, Daniels now has the time to be more involved with the MDLF.
“Since leaving Purdue, he’s been more involved than ever,” James said. “He’s spending class days and attending events with our fellows, which makes the experience even more special and unique.”
Keely Stingel of Washington County was a Class II Fellow and among the first from Southern Indiana. Stingel said the program elevated her expectations and views on leadership.
“We had the opportunity to hear insights on transformational change. It’s one thing to be a leader that people look up to and follow, it’s another to lead a group or state through transformational change,” Stingel said.
Stingel is the owner of Driving Change, a consultant concierge service that assists municipalities with strategic planning. She is also a member of the Washington County Council and has served as council president. As an elected official, she knows that not all decisions will be popular with everyone.
“Having the courage to be disliked is one of the strongest things you can be as a leader and I have certainly experienced that as a member of the council,” she said.
Stingel’s fellowship was from 2019-20 and she said her experience was invaluable. The chance to meet and spend time with people from around the state, who are focused on making the world a better place, was another highlight of the program.
“Since I participated in the program, I’ve seen growth and change in all the individuals, whether growing families, businesses or new ventures.
“The Mitch Daniels Leadership Fellowship is for all walks of life, even parents who might feel they don’t have time. It’s important to carve out that professional development and to develop as a person. The Mitch Daniels Leadership Fellowship improved me as a person and helped me in moving forward in my own leadership journey,” she said.
Class registration information
Applications for Fellowship Class VIII will open in January 2025. To stay informed on developments and application deadlines for Class VIII, submit your application here.