Life Sciences Power Breakfast

David J. Adams serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Commerce and a member of Governor Mike Braun’s cabinet. He leads the state’s efforts to strengthen workforce development, business expansion, and regional growth—advancing an economy built around people, talent, and opportunity. 

Prior to becoming secretary of commerce, Adams served as a Managing Partner of Adams Advisors LLC and a Senior Advisor with the Boston Consulting Group where he leveraged his expertise on education, economic and workforce development to advise corporations, state and local governments and higher education leaders on economic growth and transformation. 

Adams also previously served as Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, during which he put Indiana on a course that improved the state’s CNBC ‘America’s Top States for Business’ workforce ranking and successfully secured legislation and financial resources to support Governor Eric Holcomb’s workforce agenda. He also led the turnaround and merger of Indiana’s nearly $50 billion pension systems under former Governor Mitch Daniels. 

Prior to his time in public service, Adams was the first chief innovation officer at the University of Cincinnati, where he was the visionary leader in the formation of the Cincinnati Innovation District. His work was adopted by the state and became the model for the state of Ohio which has resulted in an additional 45,000 STEM graduates, $6 billion in additional research and tens of thousands of high-value jobs for the state. Adams also previously held positions as chief administrative officer at the University of Louisville and CEO of the Institute for Product Realization – an innovation district focused on connecting the economic engine of the university with the business community. 

Adams is a lifelong entrepreneur and has successfully engaged that spirit in a variety of different industries. He was a member of the leadership team that founded (ITwo), a pioneering supply-chain technology company that became a NASDAQ 50 firm and helped create the modern supply chain management industry. He has started, invested, and successfully exited numerous companies. Adams’ work ranges from engaging start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, generating over $1 billion in new revenue throughout his career. He has served in executive leadership roles both nationally and internationally. 

As a first-generation college graduate, Adams is passionate about education and was a founding board member of the Enlace Academy in Indianapolis. He is a graduate of the Speed Scientific School of Engineering at the University of Louisville and holds a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering. 

Adams was previously awarded one of ‘Indiana’s Leading Entrepreneurial Business Mentors’ by the state of Indiana, has made numerous national media appearances, is a frequent speaker and author, and is a contributing writer for Forbes. 

Scott Fadness became Fishers’ first Mayor on January 1, 2015. Since then, he has brought to life a smart, vibrant and entrepreneurial vision for the city. Fishers was named “Best Place to Live in America” by Money Magazine in 2017 and “Community of the Year” by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce in 2016.

Under Scott’s leadership, Fishers has transformed into a lively, successful city that large corporate headquarters, small businesses, families, and people of all ages are proud to call home. His efforts in revitalizing Fishers’ downtown have been especially important in attracting and retaining professional talent from across the country.

Scott’s focus on making Fishers inviting to employers large and small has resulted in new economic development records being set each year since he took office. Since elected, companies have chosen Fishers to create more than 11,000 jobs and invest over $3.4 billion in new capital investment. From attracting corporate headquarters to fostering the development of homegrown companies started by entrepreneurs at Launch Fishers, the growth of good-paying jobs in Fishers is significant. Fadness and his team have also transformed Fishers into a successful hub for biotech and biopharma. Their efforts have led to 1,600 jobs and $1.2 billion in new capital investment.

Critical to attracting jobs and families to Fishers are the amenities that make a community feel like home. Scott has led efforts to strengthen city services and quality of life amenities. Some highlights include park and trail improvements, the downtown amphitheater, the creation of the Fishers AgriPark – the nation’s largest urban farm, the attraction of Ikea and Top Golf and the Yard at Fishers District culinary destination and Geist Waterfront Park.

Scott serves in a variety of roles to promote policies important to Fishers’ success and to support causes important to community residents. He leads the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority Board, serves on the Federal Communications Commission’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee and Indiana’s Behavioral Health Commission. He is also an adjunct professor at Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Prior to becoming Mayor, Scott served as Fishers’ Town Manager. He holds a master’s degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University. He lives in Fishers with his wife, Aunna, and their three boys.

Melina Kennedy is the Chief Executive of CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership, an organization of industry CEOs, University Presidents and Philanthropy dedicated to driving economic prosperity in Indiana.  She has more than 30 years of experience in law, government and business, including more than a decade at Cummins, in a variety of business leadership roles in the Engine and Power Systems businesses as well as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. In addition, she had a successful law career at the former Baker and Daniels LLP; and was deputy mayor, director of economic development for the City of Indianapolis from 2000 to 2005.

Active in the community, she served for seven years as president of the Capital Improvement Board of Managers, where she worked with a bi-partisan group of State leaders and legislators, City leaders and councilors, and Pacers Sports and Entertainment to secure a long-term commitment of the Indiana Pacers to Indianapolis.

Kennedy has done extensive work on corporate, community and non-profit boards, and has received several awards for her active engagement in Indianapolis. She is currently a board member for the National Bank of Indianapolis; LDI Ltd., the Indianapolis Urban League and 16 Tech Innovation District. She has been recognized as a IBJ 250 Most Influential Leader, IBJ Forty Under 40, IBJ Influential Women, 2024 IU O’Neill School Distinguished Alumni, and the Indiana University Varsity Club Leanne Grotke Award recipient for her contributions making an impact as a former IU Varsity letter winner in track and field and cross country at Indiana University. She is a graduate of Indiana University with B.S., M.S. and J.D. degrees.

With 35+ years of experience in animal health and life sciences, Jeff Simmons serves as President and CEO Elanco Animal Health (NYSE: ELAN). Over the past few years, he has guided the company toward a new era as a sustainable growth company, built on a robust basket of innovation and a diverse, durable portfolio of solutions designed to deliver on its higher purpose: Making life better for animals, makes life better. Elanco is a global leader with scale, portfolio diversity, innovative pipeline and infrastructure to reach the world’s animals, delivering significant value for customers and shareholders. As an advocate for animal health, Jeff is active with HealthforAnimals (H4A) and Animal Health Institute (AHI). His Board roles reflect his dedication to human health through IU Health and food security with HATCH for Hunger™.