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COMMENTAFP IN, Indiana Chapter: Luncheon Program
March 20, 2013Click here for more information
"Meet the Funders"
Time: 11:30 a.m. Registration and Lunch Buffet Open; 12:00-1:15 p.m. Program
Location: Riverwalk, 6729 Westfield Ave., Indianapolis
Cost: $28 Members; $38 Nonmembers
We’ve assembled a panel of funders from Indianapolis to answer your questions! Hear from the generous leaders that make Indianapolis such a philanthropic community. The session will begin with questions from our moderator and then we’ll open the floor to your questions.
Mitch Davis, is the Executive Director of Companies With A Mission (CWAM). CWAM exists to inspire a greater purpose in business that changes the way we view work and encourages a heart of service to the world around us. They inspire this movement by providing service events, mission trips, and other impactful experiences and resources that add significance to the work we do each day.
Prior to his involvement with CWAM, Mitch was in executive leadership in the homebuilding industry. As a leader, Mitch relates to the needs and challenges of businesses and the families of those who work in them each day. This combined with his passion for serving others both at home and abroad has been key to his success in leading and growing CWAM.
Mitch and his wife Julie currently live in Fishers, IN with their 3 children Nathan, Claire and Nicholas. He serves on the Board of Mission Uprising and is also an Elder at Bridgeway Community Church in Fishers, IN.
Polly Horton Hix, humanitarian and civic leader Polly Horton Hix has been involved in an array of professional pursuits throughout her career. Born in Chicago, Polly was raised in Northwest Indiana where she graduated from Valparaiso High School in late 60s. She relocated to Indianapolis where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. She specialized in both German and English. Polly did her post graduate studies at Northwestern University (IL), University of Jacksonville (FL) and at Texas A&M University.
She answered her calling early in life to promote human welfare by doing case work and overseeing eligibility for public assistance for the Marion County Department of Public Welfare. After 5 years at the department, Polly began, what became a long career in law enforcement. She joined the Marion County Sheriff’s Department in 1977 and retired with the rank of Major in 2004. During her tenure with the Sheriff’s Department, Polly graduate second in her class, later taught at the academy and was lauded for being the first woman ever assigned as a supervisor in the Law Enforcement Division. She received the prestigious Meritorious Service Award from the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.
Today, Polly is considered a visionary leader engaged in arts and cultural efforts as a trustee of the Indianapolis Zoo, Indiana State Museum and State Historic Sites, Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and University of Indianapolis, to name a few. She has been celebrated with countless awards, naming rights and has been recognized by two (2) Governors of the State of Indiana with the “Sagamore of the Wabash Award.” She is married to Tony Fair and they enjoy world travel and Great Dane dogs.
Donna M. Oklak, is co-founder of Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis, a volunteer women’s giving circle that has distributed over $1.3 million since it began in 2006. She previously served as Executive Director of the Sycamore Foundation from 2000-2005 and was responsible for launching and managing the Indiana Achievement Awards, a state-wide recognition program for nonprofits. In 2008 Donna joined the Ball State University Foundation and currently serves as a board member for Herron High School, Impact 100 and St. Mary’s Child Center. She is currently serving as individual giving chair for the local chapter of the American Heart Association’s Open Your Heart campaign. She has an M.A. in philanthropic studies from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and a B.S. in journalism from Ball State University. In 2012 she spoke at Ball State University's Women's Philanthropy seminar.
Marty Posch¸ through his previous experiences as the community relations director for Indiana University-Purdue University, Posch was impacted by his involvement with philanthropic organizations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and the BackPack Attack, which provides school supplies for underprivileged children in Indianapolis.
Posch had an interesting path to get to where he is now. Starting off after graduating from IU in radio. Posch was a DJ and worked promotions for 92.3 WTTS in Indianapolis for 7 years before the non-profit bug bit him.
In 2008, he was a founding member of Giving Sum, a not-for-profit organization designed to encourage next-generation leaders to become involved in philanthropy and civic engagement in the Greater Indianapolis area. In three years, the organization infused more than $200,000 into the Indianapolis community and put hundreds of Indianapolis professionals on the path to being more involved in the community.
Through the Finish Line Youth Foundation, Posch now has the opportunity to help on a national level. In his first 1.5 years at the foundation, Posch has increased funding by 20%, developed a national partnership with Special Olympics., and created a nation-wide volunteer program. “It is such a wonderful experience partnering with the Special Olympics “Posch said “This is a great way for us to get our over 650 stores and 13,000 employees around the country volunteering and sharing experiences” Giving is a culture at the Finish Line organization, Posch said. “Even during these tough economic times, the company invested their money in the foundation to continue making an impact on children’s lives. They were thinking of the future, and so am I.”
