Welcome to Connector’s Chronicles, our roundup of the events, conversations, and community moments that keep us inspired and connected. Whether we are sponsoring local innovation, celebrating impact, or supporting meaningful causes, this series highlights where we’ve been and why it matters. Through corporate community engagement and authentic partnership, we’re finding new ways to build better together—one connection at a time.
The Difference Maker Awards Breakfast honored the heart of Damar‘s mission: providing life-changing support for children and adults facing significant developmental, intellectual, and behavioral challenges. For nearly 60 years, Damar has helped thousands move from crisis to stability.
Starting with a warm welcome from Chuck Lofton, an invocation by Kimberly Schuessler, and acknowledgements by Dr. James L. Dalton, President & CEO of Damar. Guests enjoyed breakfast before hearing from Ryan Kurt, Founder & CEO of The AI Lab.
A morning filled with gratitude, purpose, and recognition for those who make hope, progress, and possibility part of everyday life.
Brooke’s Place marked 25 years of supporting young people and families through grief, a milestone that reflects thousands of moments of courage, healing, and community. This year’s Legacy of Hope Breakfast highlighted the impact of their work and the importance of making sure no child or teen has to navigate loss alone.
The event honored Carol Braden with the 2025 Legacy of How Award and featured a powerful reminder from board Chair Dab Antle: “You don’t have to have all the answers, or be a therapist, or know exactly what to do. You just have to show up.”
A beautiful celebration of compassion, presence, and the continued mission to help young people thrive, even in the midst of grief.
The November AMA in the AM brought Indy marketers together for a morning of connection, conversation, and community. Hosted at Williams Randall Advertising and fueled by Tinker Coffee Co., the gathering offered a relaxed space to share ideas, swap insights, and learn more about AMA Indy‘s growing membership opportunities.
Events like this continue to highlight the power of showing up (one cup of coffee at a time) to strengthen relationships and support Indy’s marketing community.
We had the opportunity to attend the Indy Chamber’s Legislative Summit, a deep dive into the key issues shaping Indiana’s 2026 policy landscape. The sessions offered a valuable perspective on education, health, local government finance, and the state’s evolving approach to energy.
Highlights included updates on the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance’s forthcoming recommendations, important conversations around Medicaid costs and rural health funding, insights into how local governments are adapting to revenue changes under Senate Bill 1, and a forward-looking discussion on Indiana’s growing interest in nuclear energy.
We appreciated the chance to hear directly from policymakers and subject-matter experts as the state prepares for the upcoming legislative session. Sign up for the Indy Chamber’s legislative updates to stay informed.
Powderkeg brought together some of Indy’s brightest founders, executives, and creatives for an afternoon where tech and art collided in the best possible way. Hosted in The Vault at The Stutz, the event blended hands-on creative experiences, live demos, and thoughtful conversation, proving once again that breakthrough ideas happen when different worlds intersect.
From gallery activations curated by Pattern to live painting, floral workshops, and a musician soundtracking the space, every corner sparked connection. The executive happy hour kept the energy high while the Bounce Lounge closed the evening with even more collaboration.
A standout reminder: innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. It occurs in the community, exactly like the kind Powderkeg continues to curate and grow.
The Indy business community gathered at The Crane Bay Event Center for an early-morning look at the year ahead. Presented by Fifth Third Bank, the event featured insights from Tom Jalics, CFA, Managing Director and Chief Investment Strategist at Fifth Third Private Bank.
Drawing on more than 25 years of industry experience and oversight of $40B+ in assets, Jalics walked attendees through key economic indicators, market expectations, and the forces likely to shape 2026. His clear, data-driven perspective, sharpened by years of national media commentary, gave leaders a grounded view of what to anticipate and how to navigate the oncoming year.
A packed room, thoughtful questions, and plenty of pre-event networking made it a strong kickoff to planning for 2026.
gBETA brought the startup community together at Silo Auto Club for an evening of rapid-fire pitches, new connections, and a shared look at the future of mobility. This fall’s cohort featured five teams pushing the boundaries on how we move, power, and connect: Delivairy, Tessellated, Loomenti, HySonic Technologies, and Seasons.
From aerospace breakthroughs to tourism innovation, each startup is tackling real-world challenges with creativity and grit. The energy in the room made one thing clear: Indiana’s mobility ecosystem is accelerating, and this cohort is helping drive what comes next.
Posted in Connector's Chronicles
