2019 Forty Under 40: Fady Qaddoura

Balancing a $1.2 billion budget and overseeing 7,000 employees, Qaddoura said that every job he’s ever had—including bookstore clerk—has prepared him for his current one. “My office is considered the nervous system of the organization, so every day is filled with new challenges.”

Getting here: While an undergraduate, Qaddoura was director of business and finance for New Orleans-based Discount Zone Management. Positions as director of research and IT at the University of Texas Health Science Center and CEO of research at IT consulting firm Reform and Integration followed. In 2011, he became policy coordinator for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, overlapping as an analyst for the Indiana General Assembly. He assisted the state in implementation of the Affordable Care Act and Indiana’s HIP 2.0 plan, while also teaching at the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. 

Transitional moment: Hurricane Katrina. “My family and I lost everything in New Orleans and had to rebuild from scratch in Houston. The kindness and generosity of so many people and organizations inspired me to serve others and pursue a career in public service.”

Givebacks: Qaddoura is a board member of the Marion County Criminal Justice Planning Council as well as the city’s Financial Investments Board, Information Technology Board, City Market, and the Early Intervention and Prevention Council. A mayoral appointee to the Indy Promise Taskforce, he serves as a member of the city of Indianapolis economic development team and is chief financial officer of the Metropolitan Development Commission.

Mentor: Kathy Davis, former Indiana lieutenant governor. “I am forever grateful for her investment in me. I appreciate her wisdom, intellect and leadership abilities.”

Downtime: volunteering, reading and exercising, including recently earning his second-degree black belt in taekwondo•

Check out more 2019 Forty Under 40 honorees.