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Where were you, and what were you doing in 1991?
Working on my father’s chicken farm in Berne, Indiana.
When you graduated from high school, what did you think you wanted to be as an adult?
An investment advisor.
Was there an event in the last 20 years that had a great impact on your aspirations and/or career path?
In June 2010, my wife and best friend Nicole was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This diagnosis has taught us to take nothing for granted and to live for “today” rather than “someday.” Despite this diagnosis, God has blessed us tremendously, and our perspective has become more focused on matters of long-lasting consequence.
Have you been mentored by (or had any significant interactions with) previous Forty Under 40 honorees?
Jeremy Stephenson and Ersal Ozdemir are close friends from whom I have learned much.
Where/what do you want to be 20 years from now?
To be spending the majority of my time serving others.
Partner, Krieg DeVault LLP
Age: 33
When Matthew Conrad and his wife, Nicole, married in 2008, they already had more than enough toasters, microwaves and other household items. Instead of registering for china and silver, they formed a not-for-profit group, Love Without Boundaries, to combat poverty and social injustice.
While the organization doesn’t have full-time programs, it is able to respond to individual needs.
“Both of us hope that in 20 years, the majority of our life will be spent serving others,” said Conrad, a partner at the Indianapolis law firm Krieg DeVault LLP.
In the summer of 2010, however, their plans were jarred when Nicole was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
“It’s not a diagnosis you ever want to hear,” said Conrad. While his wife is doing well, the news caused them to better appreciate what they have and stop putting off things they want to do, whether it’s taking a vacation or doing more volunteer work.
“If it’s worth doing someday it’s worth doing now,” said Conrad.
Growing up in Berne, Ind., he worked on the family chicken farm. He credits his father’s work ethic and honesty for his own approach to school, work and volunteerism. He has a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from Taylor University and a law degree from Indiana University’s Maurer School of Law.
At Krieg DeVault, Conrad specializes in corporate transactions, economic development, renewable energy, finance and real estate. Currently, he is involved in a two-year assignment with Conexus Indiana, a manufacturing and logistics group working on a state-initiated, industry-led initiative to grow the automotive industry in Indiana.
“It’s an opportunity to be very creative and very strategic and interact with industry leaders,” Conrad said, and to increase job and business opportunities in Indiana.
On a more personal level, he is involved with several groups that focus on helping disadvantaged youth. He is board chairman for Outreach Inc., which focuses on homeless youth. He also volunteers as a facilitator of the Center for Leadership Development’s Project Mr., which works with black males in grades 7-10, focusing on character, education, leadership, service and career.•
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