Lesley Weidenbener

Thinking back about my own career illuminates how often people became my mentors without any formal effort—or, in some cases, without my even knowing it was happening.

In December, we’ll recognize the year’s top newsmakers. Go to IBJ.com/newsmakers to tell us who should be included.

If you’re at a place that hasn’t made you feel psychologically safe—maybe you suspect someone in the room will be condescending or that the boss leading the conversation will just dismiss you—you’re not likely to share your thoughts.

The Rophe Free Clinic was named IBJ’s top honoree in the category called Community Achievement in Health Care. The clinic was the brainchild of Curtis McManus, who—after a career in the pharmaceutical industry—was directing mission work in Haiti for Solid Word Bible Church, in Pike Township when he saw a need locally.

Anyone who reads IBJ regularly knows that our editorial board (which is composed of three editors and the IBJ publisher) shies away from urging government mandates. I’m not going to say we’ve never done it, but it’s in no way our default position.

She is sharp, funny, outspoken and, maybe most important, an advocate for the things she cares about—notably the advancement of women and people of color.

The chamber set out to make a business case—along with a moral one—for reducing inequality in the community. That has played out in a number of ways, perhaps most important—at least initially—in educating community and business leaders about the data that supports the premise that Indianapolis is bifurcating along racial and economic lines.