Everyday Leaders 50 In 50

Suzann Esposito   In my free time - In my free time, I love to play cornhole with my husband and fellow cornhole family. It is such a fun and relaxing game that we both enjoyed. I also enjoy watching my son play baseball for Lake Erie College in Ohio. It is amazing to see him develop his skills and grow as a player. And when I am not playing or watching sports, I love to curl up with a good book and get lost in a great story. Reading is the perfect way to unwind and escape from the stresses of everyday life. When did you realize you wanted to open your own business? During a girl’s day with a friend, I visited a salt cave and was amazed at how much it helped with their respiratory issues. I did some research and found that salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, had been used for centuries to treat respiratory and skin conditions. I was so excited about the idea of opening my own salt therapy business, and after months of planning and preparation, I was finally ready to open their doors.  As more and more cu

Dr. Robyn Wright   I’ve been immersed in healthcare for as long as I can remember. After earning my undergraduate degree at La Salle University, I managed a series of weight loss centers and even started my own health coaching business before entering medical school. In 2018, I earned my medical degree from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, and upon graduation, I completed a year-long residency in primary care. With over two decades of professional experience, my journey has taken me through various roles, from front desk reception to back office administration, and even a pharmaceutical rep. Yet, it was during my time in weight loss centers that something truly clicked. Witnessing individuals try various approaches, often with little or no success, was an eye-opening experience (some even went great lengths for weight loss surgery, and still gained their weight back). As a naturopathic doctor, I found that by addressing underlying health concerns, following healthy eating principles, and making

SaDarin Hays   Darin Hays, is a licensed social worker (LSW) who is passionate about walking with his clients to empower them. His clinical focus is working with adolescents and young adults who may be dealing with anxiety, depression, relational difficulties, anger issues, and other emotional regulation issues. Darin uses many concepts from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and trauma focused-cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) to provide practical tools which may include mutually agreed upon homework. He utilizes family systems theory, and the exploration of childhood development and trauma history that may have an impact on the client’s present day by using some aspects of modern psychodynamic approaches. Darin is QPR certified and has been trained in Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy. Many times people come to therapy overwhelmed and perhaps even questioning if they should be seeking help at all. Darin wants to partner with you to find the treatment that will work best for you in this process and remind

Sabrina Hickey   Sabrina Hickey is a Regional Development Manager with PAX Program of Academic Exchange, a non-profit foreign exchange organization placing over 700 students in American homes each year.  She’s a resident of Franklin, Indiana, happily married for 24 years, and a mom of three boys! She has a passion for people, community, leadership, diversity and global impact. An alumnus of Leadership Johnson County’s signature program, she loves networking in the community and volunteering with the LJC Youth Leadership Academy because inspiring and mentoring young leaders is “her bag.” Outside of work and LJC, she is a boisterous supporter of the Franklin Community Schools Band programs!  She quotes LJC’s Tandy Shuck for a great reason why hosting exchange students matter more than we think and just a priceless thought on life itself

Rebecca Bormann As Founder and CEO of RB Consulting, Rebecca brings over two decades of distinguished experience in sales, marketing, and leadership. Her career includes pioneering business strategies and fostering growth for global tech enterprises, nonprofits, small businesses, and large corporations alike. Rebecca likes to play BIG and has closed over $250 million in revenue so far in her career. Her ability to lead and mentor is evident in her trailblazing path, where she has consistently elevated sales professionals at every career stage. Thank you for following Everyday Leaders. If you’ve been following us since 2018, we appreciate your support and look forward to continuing to add value to you if this is the first time you’re finding us, welcome! We are a husband and wife media team based in Indianapolis, IN, and have been helping clients build their marketing and media strategies for over 20 years. I am your host, and my husband Joe, https://Joeakestudios.com, is the producer, director, and editor of

Amanda Starr "CPR saved my life. I don't mean that how you might think. My story is a little different. I had lost everything in my life, except for a beat-up old car held together by duct tape. That beat-up old car and I began traveling all over central Indiana teaching CPR to anyone willing to learn. A passion more powerful than I could have ever imagined developed from that. I have taught thousands of parents, foster parents, teachers, nurses, healthcare workers, coaches, trainers, warehouse/factory workers, and countless others throughout the years. It is my mission through Arise Safety and CPR, to teach thousands more." Founder, CEO, and Instructor   Thank you for following Everyday Leaders. If you’ve been following us since 2018, we appreciate your support and look forward to continuing to add value to you if this is the first time you’re finding us, welcome! We are a husband and wife media team based in Indianapolis, IN, and have been helping clients build their marketing and media strategies for over

Meet Susan Lowe Dedicating my career to senior care, I did some research on opening an Adult Day Care Center and learned that most rural communities in Indiana did not have this service and seniors were potentially doing without needed assistance. After achieving my goal to become a licensed administrator and run an assisted living community, I still had a strong desire to serve my senior neighbors in my community. With over 30 years working in corporate-based senior care, I stepped away and opened my own company, A Senior Retreat, providing adult day services to decrease senior isolation, and give seniors a purpose again through socialization, peer engagement, and fun, yet therapeutic activities. While the initial focus was on the clients’ experiences, our program is ultimately for the family caregivers. Our goal is to be their trusted care partner for their loved ones and their resource through their caregiving journey! After putting together a business plan, my investor helped me with the initial start-up

Toyinda L. Smith, MS, is at the helm of The Coaching Seat, LLC, a corporation dedicated to improving employee experiences and boosting organizational performance. She equips professionals with potent strategies for increasing revenue and supplies educational tools that facilitate their certification in coaching, speaking, and facilitating roles. This paves the way for their strategic entry into the industry, enabling them to help others and secure financial stability. Her coaching skills have been imparted across large educational institutions, major corporations, and statewide agencies, certifying over 75 professionals as coaches and facilitators, and training over 400 individuals to confidently articulate their ideas. With a wealth of experience spanning 25 years in education and business, Toyinda effectively harnesses leadership abilities, individual strengths, and team dynamics to drive profitable outcomes. An internationally recognized speaker, Toyinda assists individuals and groups in reshaping their mi

Tyrone L. Edwards Sr's Journey Tyrone is a convicted felon who has completely turned his life around. While incarcerated, Tyrone wrote a total of sixty books, six of which have been published. Tyrone had a vision of turning one of his books, War Behind Bars into a stage play. He made that happen with just his own financial backing. The cast is all local adults and youth. The majority of the cast has been incarcerated or have had run-ins with the law. Some of them have never acted before, danced or sung in front of an audience. War Behind Bars first premiered at the historic Madame CJ Walker Theater in January of 2022, second showing was at the Warren Performing Arts Center in April of 2022 and the finale was performed at Pike Performing Arts Center in April 2023. Some of these experiences have not been very pleasant, to say the least. Experiences like this are what led Tyrone to start his own publishing company, Te's Publishing House, and his not-for-profit Te's House of Thoughts. Te's House of Thoughts offer

 Lauren and Max have always looked to combine their creative and business backgrounds. Lauren has been working for Board & Brush Crown Point since 2015. She graduated from Crown Point High School in 2017 and went off to Purdue University to pursue a degree in Finance. Her passion for Board & Brush could not seem to keep her away - she would drive up from West Lafayette whenever she got the chance to work at Board & Brush Crown Point! Lauren met her boyfriend Max during her freshman year at Purdue. Max is from the Southside of Indianapolis and graduated from Roncalli High School in 2017, and has since studied Supply Chain Management and Technology at Purdue. When the Greenwood Board & Brush location became for sale, they thought it was the perfect way to become more involved in the Greenwood community while pursuing the passion they have for Board & Brush. It was that perfect opportunity they had been looking for! When they are not at Board & Brush, you can find Lauren and Max spending

Many youth in Johnson County are faced with the challenge of not having support or a role model to look up to. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana seeks to change this by calling on adult mentors, known as “Bigs,” to provide support to youth in the community. “Bigs” are paired with “Littles” between the ages of 8-14 and meet for 5 hours a month to check in and partake in fun activities around the local community. When selecting a non-profit to partner with, impact was important to us, and we would like to think the partnerships we have made will impact the lives of young people in Johnson County for years to come. Mission: We serve children awaiting critical and transformative mentorship in Johnson County by connecting Johnson County businesses with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana through (a) encouraging employees to become mentors (“Bigs”) and (b) providing fun and affordable spaces and activities for Bigs and Littles to enjoy time together. Thank you for following Everyday Leaders. If yo

Coach Wright is a highly skilled and experienced life coach dedicated to helping individuals achieve their personal goals and live their best lives. With over 25 years of experience in the field, Coach Wright has helped countless clients overcome obstacles, build confidence, and find fulfillment in their personal and professional lives. Coach Wright’s approach is collaborative and client-centered, with a focus on developing personalized strategies that align with each client’s unique needs and aspirations. Through active listening, empathy, and a deep understanding of human behavior, Coach Wright creates a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their feelings, identify limiting beliefs, and develop new insights and perspectives. As a lifelong learner, Coach Wright is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and techniques in the field of life coaching. He regularly attends conferences, workshops, and trainings to continue honing his skills and expanding his knowledge base. W

Jeermal Sylvester is the Director of Workforce Development at Marian University at St. Joseph College, where he collaborates with employers and faculty to equip students with the skills necessary for success in today's evolving job market. With a passion for bridging the gap between education and industry, Jeermal is dedicated to fostering meaningful partnerships and creating opportunities for student growth and advancement.   Thank you for following Everyday Leaders. If you’ve been following us since 2018, we appreciate your support and look forward to continuing to add value to you if this is the first time you’re finding us, welcome! We are a husband and wife media team based in Indianapolis, IN, and have been helping clients build their marketing and media strategies for over 20 years. I am your host, and my husband Joe, https://Joeakestudios.com is the producer, director, and editor of the Everyday Leaders media programs, virtual and live event broadcasts, and more. We are excited to bring you a new focu

Demond Hicks Demond Hicks is an accomplished entrepreneur, author, and devoted father based in Indianapolis. With a passion for inspiring others, Demond has curated captivating content through his book, "Keys to Elevate," and his popular podcast, "Over Tha Top." He also organizes dynamic networking and vendor events, bringing like-minded individuals together. Known for promoting positivity, Demond's powerful publication, "The Mindset Shift," features 100 affirmations that empower readers to embrace their full potential. In Indianapolis and beyond, Demond Hicks is recognized as a beacon of inspiration, leaving an indelible mark on the entrepreneurial landscape. Discover Demond Hicks: Where to Find His Books Demond Hicks' books are available at the local bookstore Indy Reads, the coffee/book shop Dream Palace, and the Rubber Rose bookstore in Kankakee, Illinois. They can also be found at the Indianapolis Public Library Central Library, on Amazon, and at Bella Rose Design, a gift shop in Greenwood.   Thank you f

Mayor Mark W. Myers was born and raised in Greenwood, Indiana, where he is now a devoted father to six children, a proud husband to Stacie Myers, and serving his fourth term in office. As a child, Mayor Myers was already getting involved in his community as a member of the Boy Scouts of America and an Explorer Scout with the Greenwood Fire Department. His father, a former mayor of Greenwood himself, ran the family-owned-and-operated Myers Ambulance Service, which served Greenwood and Johnson County for 29 years and where Mayor Myers worked for several years. Today, Myers is a proud public servant with several years of experience working with various government offices. Throughout his career, he has worked for the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department and was a 14-year member of the Greenwood Police Department, serving as a full-time police officer and detective. In 1992, Myers was elected Johnson County Coroner. Mayor Myers continues his dedication to public service by serving on the board for several civic-dri

Marie Storm LOVES wellness and has dedicated her life to improving the health of her community. She graduated from Purdue University nursing school & started her fitness instructor journey while a student there. She was the head fitness instructor & received the Instructor of the Year award twice. She hasn’t stopped teaching since & went on to receive many more certifications such as her 200 hour yoga training in Arizona. Marie worked in a neurology unit at a hospital in St. Louis for several years while her husband worked on his doctorate. During this time she also enrolled at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition as she felt like she was familiar with the medical & fitness industry but wanted to better understand the nutrition piece. She graduated as a health coach a couple years later & saw her own clients for almost 5 years. She opened Storm Chiropractic Clinic in Greenwood, IN with her husband 10 years ago. They were awarded Best Small Business by the local chamber in 2016. They also

Jennifer A. Garrett is an internationally recognized leadership coach, podcast host, speaker, author, Army lawyer, and former Fortune 100 corporate executive who has become known as a high-performance expert that works with small-, medium-, and large-sized companies to help them improve execution and productivity, drive critical thinking around strategic planning; transform the culture into a sustainable atmosphere that attracts talent, increase brand awareness, create a competitive advantage; and provide leadership development training to employees using her Move the Ball™ framework. Jennifer also helps individuals to “move the ball” and reach higher levels of success and fulfillment in life through her individual coaching programs and her group coaching program, called Inside the Huddle. Jennifer is the host of the Move the Ball™ podcast, which focuses on conversations with professional athletes and successful business leaders. On episode, listeners will hear strategies and habits that should be put into pr