Submitted
Thompson
Leadership Connection has announced John Thompson of Indianapolis as the 2025 Keynote Speaker on Nov. 6 at the Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St.
Thompson is the first African American to lead the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Board, and he is the CEO and Chairman of four businesses, including Thompson Distribution.
Thompson has been recognized with several of Indiana’s most prestigious awards for his service, including the IBJ’s Michael A. Carroll Award in 2011, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Dynamic Leader of the Year in 2019, the Indiana Historical Society’s Indiana Living Legends in 2024, and the IBJ’s Indiana 250 – Indiana’s Most Impactful and Influential Leaders, 2025.
A successful entrepreneur and art collector, Thompson has given back to the Indianapolis community and State of Indiana through his businesses and philanthropic efforts such as Chairman of the Board, Eskenazi Health, along with Riley Children’s Hospital, Indiana Black Expo, and Newfields.
For more information regarding John Thompson, check out the YouTube video at this link.
Since 2021, Leadership Connection has been serving its mission to connect today’s leaders with the next generation to build a stronger community. Leadership Connection provides a forum for local high school students to engage with distinguished professionals from both the private and public sectors, allowing students to build professional and personal leadership skills while providing members of our community the opportunity to positively impact the next generation.
Schools involved bring students from both Carmel and Indianapolis together. Students who attend qualify to apply for five Portee-Leadership Connection Scholarships and a sixth Dr. Rick Markoff Leadership Connection Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 to a college or trade school of the student’s choice as well as a laptop computer.
Well over 500 juniors and seniors have participated in the program’s activities from leadership development workshops to community service projects since its inception. The dates for the 2025 events are Friday, Oct. 24 for the Leadership Connection Day of Service and Thursday, Nov. 6 for Leadership Connection.
Leadership Connection is a branded event of the Rotary Club of Carmel in partnership with iTeam Think Tank, Carmel-Clay Schools, Carmel Fire Department, Christel House Watanabe, Brebeuf, and Elevate Indy. Leadership Connection has also worked with over 100 businesses, community and non-profit executives and leaders since its inception.
For more information on how you can partner, volunteer for upcoming events or support Leadership Connection, visit carmelrotary.com/leadership-connection.php.