Meet man behind success of Rotary Club of Carmel’s Leadership Connection’s

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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 Manual High School, and Pro/Act Indy.

Since its inception in 2021, Leadership Connection has been serving its mission to connect today’s leaders with the next generation. Rotarian Richard M. (Rick) Markoff, PhD has been given official status as Founder and Honorary Steering Committee Member of Leadership Connection.

“The COVID pandemic provided the Rotary Club of Carmel with an opportunity to create a new and meaningful initiative for the students of Carmel and Indianapolis,” Markoff said. “By learning from and interacting with today’s business executives, non-profit leaders, and elected officials, these students – our future – have experienced gratifying results.”

Markoff has spent his life helping the younger generation achieve all that they can. He retired in 2015 as the founding President of the Damar Foundation, which raises funds to support the work of Damar Services. Damar has served children and adults challenged by autism and intellectual, developmental, and behavioral disabilities for nearly 50 years.

Markoff has a history of helping youth find ways to succeed in life. He coordinated the Central Indiana Education Alliance and taught Organizational Leadership graduate courses at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis before coming to Damar Foundation.

His experience of working with youth extends further, as he also served as Executive Vice President of the Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) from 2002 to 2010. A nationally recognized leader in alternative education, SYF was selected 2008 recipient of the Education Commission of the States’ Corporate Award. The National Dropout Prevention Center/Network presented SYF with its Crystal Star Award in 2008 and named SYF an Exemplary Program in 2009. The International Council of Shopping Centers Foundation bestowed upon SYF its U.S. Community Support Award and the prestigious Albert Sussman International Community Support Award. The Mutual of America Foundation made SYF a 2010 recipient of a Community Partnership Award.

Preceding his arrival at SYF, Markoff was in the Office of the CEO, Government, and Community Relations for the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis, where he initiated and successfully completed the merger of STAR Alliance into the Red Cross. During his presidency, STAR Alliance was responsible for one of the most effective and comprehensive school-based substance abuse prevention programs in the United States.

Prior to moving to Indianapolis in 1995, Markoff was President of the St. Vincent Medical Center Foundation in Toledo, Ohio. While there, he was founding President of the Greater Toledo Chapter of the National Society of Fund-Raising Executives, President of the Sylvania, Ohio, City Schools Board of Education, and President of the Congregation Etz Chayim Board of Directors.

Markoff is the author of Million-Dollar Moments and the Amazing Professionals Who Helped Make Them Possible. The book features chapters written by 18 resource development professionals and nonprofit executives who describe the circumstances behind their first or most impactful million-dollar gift. Especially important, each contributor describes lessons learned in these fascinating and inspirational stories.

A native of Fostoria, Ohio, Markoff holds degrees from Western Michigan University, the University of Missouri-Columbia and The University of Toledo. The former Western Michigan University and Adrian College administrator was recognized by The University of Toledo College of Education in 2008 with its Distinguished Achievement Award.

A unique milestone in Markoff’s career was his selection by the Grey Nuns of Montreal as one of five Americans to meet and greet Pope John Paul II at the Vatican during the canonization of St. Marguerite d’Youville in 1990.

Markoff continues to be actively involved in Leadership Connection. For the first time in 2025, the Dr. Rick Markoff Leadership Connection Scholarship – which will include a $2,000 scholarship along with a laptop – will be awarded to a high school senior who will have attended Leadership Connection events. The scholarship will be awarded with equal emphasis on merit and need.

Although he is responsible for founding Leadership Connection, Markoff recognizes the contributions of fellow Rotarians Tim Flint and Louise Jackson, who have formed such a strong executive team for the organization since 2023.

“I am truly proud of their efforts, especially shining an even greater spotlight on students in program design and decision-making,” Markoff said.

The Rotary Club of Carmel partners with distinguished members of the community to lead workshops and service activities that bring students from both Carmel and Indianapolis together as they explore their futures and learn how they can impact their communities. Since 2021, 522 high school juniors and seniors have participated in Leadership Connection. Seniors are eligible to compete for six $2,000 scholarships and laptop computers funded by Danny Portee and the Rotary Club of Carmel.

Markoff expressed his thanks to the many people who combined to make this effort succeed.

“I am especially appreciative of One America, Hylant Group, Danny Portee, MISO, Indiana University Indianapolis, Goddard School, Cox Roofing, Flint Analytics, Skillman Corporation, Chick-fil-A, and the Rotary Club of Carmel for their generous support of this branded event,” Markoff said, “as well as the combined efforts of our original partners, the Carmel Fire Department, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation, iTeam Think Tank, Hamilton County Leadership Academy, Carmel Clay Schools, and our educational partners for making Leadership Connection so successful.”

For more information about Leadership Connection, what the organization does, how to volunteer, and about upcoming events, visit RotaryLeadershipConnection.com. The 2025 events will take place Oct. 24 for the Day of Service and Nov. 6 for Leadership Connection.