Our Team

Melina Kennedy was elected as the chief executive officer of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) in December 2022. CICP is a unique, nationally recognized, strategic collaboration of executive leaders from prominent corporations, philanthropic foundations and universities committed to developing responsive initiatives, making critical investments and delivering ambitious projects to advance inclusive prosperity.

Prior to joining CICP, Kennedy spent eleven years at Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) where she served as Vice President of Product Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, led various business segments in the engine and power systems businesses, and was director of Executive Communications.

Kennedy has more than 25 years of experience in law, government and business. 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. In 2011, she was a candidate for mayor of the City of Indianapolis.

Kennedy has had several ties to CICP in her career. In 2002, she represented the City of Indianapolis as part of a collaborative team of founding partners that established BioCrossroads, CICP’s life sciences initiative. In addition, in her role as deputy mayor of economic development, she commissioned the initial planning study that led to the beginning of work on the 16 Tech Innovation District, a project led by CICP.

Kennedy is active in the Indianapolis community. She was president of the Capital Improvement Board of Managers for seven years, 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. In addition, Kennedy is currently a board member for the National Bank of Indianapolis; chair of the IU Health Foundation REV event and a board member of the Indiana University Academic Medical Center and is a member of the 2024 NBA All Star Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Indiana University – Bloomington, with B.S., M.S. and J.D. degrees.

Latoya Alexander Botteron serves as president and CFO for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Botteron joined CICP in 2010 as controller and was promoted to CFO in 2013. Botteron’s role was expanded to include COO responsibilities in 2019. She was promoted to president in 2022.

Prior to joining CICP, Botteron served as audit associate for Katz, Sapper & Miller in Indianapolis and served on the audit team for UHY Advisors in Albany, New York.

She is a Certified Public Accountant (Inactive) and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business from State University of New York College at Plattsburgh. She recently graduated with a master’s in jurisprudence from the IU McKinney School of Law.

In 2018, she was named by the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) as one of its CFO of the Year honorees.

Ting Gootee is a seasoned venture development and community builder with in-depth experience leading and managing impact-driven programs across public, private and academic sectors. In January 2026, she began her role as Executive Vice President of Digital Adoption and Managing Director of Crossroads Health Ventures for CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership CICP). Gootee originally joined the organization in 2022 as president and CEO of TechPoint, the technology initiative of CICP.

Gootee co-developed the original vision and strategy for Elevate Ventures in 2011 and served as the organization’s vice president of investment until 2014, when she was named chief investment officer.

In addition to focusing on investment funds formation and evaluating and supporting pre-seed to later-stage investment opportunities at Elevate Ventures, Gootee played an instrumental role in standing up all aspects of its operations from day one. She managed and conducted due diligence research on hundreds of investment opportunities across multiple sectors, ranging from IT to life sciences to advanced manufacturing. Her portfolio oversight reaches more than a dozen Elevate funds and more than 400 Indiana startups and scale-ups and active syndication relationships with individual investors and professional VCs around the country, resulting in $1.7 billion in co-invested capital and positive returns over the life of the funds. Elevate Ventures has been the most active investor in the Great Lakes regions since 2017.

Prior to Elevate Ventures, Gootee was the deputy director of the Indiana 21st Century Research & Technology Fund. She came to that position from Lionhart Investments Limited, Office of Global Counsel, where she served as a business and legal analyst from 2003 to 2006.

A native of China, Ting earned her Master of Business Administration from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business in Bloomington, Ind. after earning a Master of Arts degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. She earned her undergraduate degree from Peking University in Beijing.

She has earned numerous awards, accolades and opportunities, including:

• Indianapolis Business Journal inaugural Indiana 250 Most Influential Business Leaders in 2022
• IU Ventures Inaugural Spirit of Venture Award in 2021
• Indianapolis Business Journal Women of Influence Award in 2021
• Purdue University CLA Emerging Voice Award in 2014
• SSBCI Working Group, National Venture Capital Association since 2021
• Advisory Board Member, AgriNovus Indiana since 2020
• Member, the Innovation Showcase Planning Committee since 2014
• Board Member, the America China Society of Indiana since 2012
• 2017 President and Board Member, the Venture Club of Indiana, 2013-present
• Women & Hi Tech Leading Light Awards Scholarship Committee Member, 2019-present
• TechPoint Mira Awards Judge since 2013
• Innovate WithIN judge in 2021
• Purdue University Trask Innovation Fund Advisory Council since 2015
• Holder of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Designation since 2011
• Holder of Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Designation since 2014
• Holder of Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM) since 2017
• Bilingual, with excellent communication skills in Mandarin Chinese and English
• Participation in Indiana mission trips to China led by former Governor Mitch Daniels and former Governor and Vice President Mike Pence
• Speaker at Forbes Reinventing America Innovation Summit, SXSW, CIO Summit

Jahon Hobbeheydar joined the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) as Executive Vice President of Strategy in October 2023. Hobbeheydar’s focus is on shaping the strategy of CICP and its initiatives with a focus on developing responses to long term trends and potential disruptors.

Prior to joining CICP, Hobbeheydar spent 15 years at Cummins Inc. where he served as Executive Director of Corporate Strategy. His work at Cummins included developing and implementing a strategy to transition the company to being a leader in Green Mobility, work that included several acquisitions. His work also covered topics including portfolio management, international growth, and organizational optimization.

Hobbeheydar started his career in management consulting, first with The Boston Consulting Group. His work spanned industries such as Telecommunications and Property and Casualty Insurance and included topics such as New Product Development Strategy and Globalization Strategy.

Hobbeheydar resides in Columbus, Ind. and has been an active member of his community. Past work includes launching an organization to support students with dyslexia (Columbus READS), serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), and serving on the board of a local community mental health organization (Family Service).

Hobbeheydar earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Hamilton College and a Master of Science in Astrophysics from Yale University. He is also a graduate of Culver Military Academy.

Darshan Shah serves as the executive vice president of Data and AnalytiXIN for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Previously, Shah worked for CICP’s life sciences initiative BioCrossroads as senior vice president and chief data officer where he strategically guided healthcare and life sciences organizations with a variety of initiatives at the health-data intersection.

Prior to joining CICP, Shah served as chief data officer for the State of Indiana and executive director of the Management and Performance Hub (MPH). As a result of his leadership, MPH is a national leader in transforming state government through the use of data and analytics. In addition, he has held roles at OurHealth (now known as Marathon Health), Deloitte Consulting and Eli Lilly and Company.

Shah earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Indiana University Kelly School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Purdue University.

Cinthya Kauffman serves as vice president of operations for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Kauffman oversees the planning, development, organization, implementation, direction, and evaluation of the organization's financial and administration function and performance. Kauffman is responsible for the financial, human resources, contract administration, information technology (IT), cybersecurity, compliance, risk management and other operations functions of the organization.

Kauffman joined CICP in 2016 as grants accountant and compliance manager and was promoted to director of administration in 2017. Kauffman served as CICP’s director of operations and compliance from 2020 to 2021.

Prior to joining CICP, Kauffman spent four years at Charter Schools USA, an education management organization, overseeing grants management and compliance. In addition, she spent four years in the banking industry earlier in her career.

Kauffman has an MBA from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business where she majored in Finance and Management/Entrepreneurship, and a Bachelor of Science from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business where she majored in Management and Human Resources Management. She is fluent in English and Spanish.

Nathan Ringham serves as vice president of research and insights for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Ringham organizes and executes research projects, often with nationally recognized thought leaders and consulting firms, in support of CICP’s efforts to transform the economy of Indiana.

Prior to joining CICP, he spent eleven years at ICF, a global consulting firm, in its housing and community development practice. He also previously worked in Bloomington, Indiana’s Housing and Neighborhood Development.

Ringham currently serves on the boards of the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) and Intend Indiana. He previously volunteered his time to boards or committees focused on healthcare and education.

Ringham earned a Bachelor of Arts with High Distinction and a Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University.

Melissa Roberts serves as the vice president of engagement for the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Roberts leads communication and engagement and outreach activities for CICP’s major projects and studies. She directs project management of external consultants and designs and executes programming for internal and external audiences.

Roberts originally joined the organization in 2011 with Energy Systems Network (ESN), the former energy technology initiative of CICP, and served in a variety of roles, including communications, marketing, operations and human resources. Prior to joining ESN, she spent six years with Community Health Network as a healthcare recruiter and HR consultant.

Roberts has served as a member of the Experience Development and Family Learning Working Group at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis since 2016 and joined the Board of Trustees in 2021.

Roberts earned a B.A in Psychology and Spanish from Vanderbilt University. She holds a master’s degree in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Erica Viar serves as the vice president of programs for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Viar leads strategy and operations for CICP programs in collaboration with program directors and community partners.

Viar originally joined the organization in 2017 with Ascend Indiana, the talent and workforce initiative of CICP, and served in a variety of roles, including talent pipeline consulting and leading the organizations efforts to support CEMETS iLab Indiana and the launch of the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway. Prior to joining Ascend, she worked at Cummins supporting environmental compliance and sustainability efforts.

Viar earned a B.S. in Business Economics and Public Policy from Indiana University and she holds her Juris Doctorate from Indiana University Maurer School of Law.

Carolyn Adams serves as the director of accounting for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Previously, she served as interim chief financial officer and treasurer for the Indianapolis Public Library. She has also held positions as a contract consultant for Robert Half Management Resources, director of finance for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and as a staff accountant for London Witte and Company.

Adams earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Indiana University.

Sarah Aubrey serves as the Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Prior to joining CICP, Aubrey spent five years at gener8tor, where she developed and facilitated the Butler Accelerator, as well as Investment Accelerators in Wisconsin, Nevada and Oklahoma and gBETA Indiana programs.

Aubrey’s experience includes venture capital, startup acceleration and impact investing, in addition to five years in higher education and nine years in nonprofit arts administration.

Aubrey holds a Master of Arts with Merit from the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia, and a Bachelor of Arts from Hanover College. She is also a graduate of the Jekyll Island Management Institute and TechPoint Leadership Academy.

Brenda Bratton serves as the executive assistant to Melina Kennedy, the CEO of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). In addition, she serves in the same role for Latoya Alexander Botteron, the president and chief financial officer for CICP.

Bratton joined CICP’s BioCrossroads initiative in 2005 and transitioned to her role at CICP in 2012. Previously, she spent 15 years at the law firm of Baker & Daniels.

Ana Canas serves as the manager of human resources for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). She previously served as human resources generalist/payroll specialist with CICP. Prior to joining CICP, Canas worked in the health and wellness industry for ten years, five of them overseeing operations.

Canas’ experience includes building relationships in the community, establishing internship programs, and implementing initiatives for employee retention.

Canas received her Human Resource Certificate and recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management.

Jason Cunningham serves as controller for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) and CICP’s life sciences initiative BioCrossroads. Prior to joining CICP, Cunningham served as an accounting leader, a senior financial operations analyst and a financial operations analyst for Brown & Brown, Inc. in Indiana and Florida. He has also served as a broker trainee and a financial service professional with Charles Schwab & Co. in Indianapolis.

Cunningham has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Classical Civilization from Oberlin College in Ohio. In addition, he has earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA), with concentrations in finance and accounting, from the University of Pittsburgh.

Michelle Ferguson serves as the senior program manager for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). She previously served as program manager. Prior to joining CICP, Ferguson served as executive assistant and manager of administration for Energy Systems Network. She has also held positions as an executive assistant to the CEO of the Jewish Community Center, an enrollment counselor at the University of Indianapolis and additional roles at the Center of Excellence in Leadership Learning (CELL), Herff Jones and Volt Workforce Solutions.

Ferguson has a Bachelor of Arts from Hanover College and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Indianapolis.

Josie Fasoldt serves as Director of Data and AnalytiXIN for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP).

Fasoldt has worked more than ten years in the data and analytics field, with a special focus on using data to create macro-impact and give agency to the people, communities and businesses who are powerless and without a voice.

Before joining CICP, Fasoldt worked for the State of Indiana for more than seven years. She most recently served as the Chief Data and Strategy Officer for the Governor's Chief Equity, Inclusion, and Opportunity Officer where she oversaw all data, governance, research and strategy related functions of the office. Prior to that, she was the Senior Director of Engagement and Analytics for the Indiana Management Performance Hub (MPH) and served as Program Analytics Manager for The Osborne Association in New York City.

She is engaged with her local Indianapolis community, serving on boards of LifeSmart Youth and The Table Episcopal Church. She also attends and cooks weekly community dinners in her Bates Hendricks neighborhood.

Fasoldt has a bachelor's degree in International Studies from Taylor University.

Traysa Guerrero serves as the accounts payable senior manager for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Prior to joining CICP, Guerrero served as an accounting specialist for Reindeer Logistics in Zionsville, Ind.

Guerrero continues to pursue a degree in Business Administration.

Josslyn Kennedy serves as the Senior Research Manager for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Prior to joining CICP, Kennedy served as a research assistant at the Public Policy Institute, Center for Health and Justice Research at Indiana University. She has also held roles as a project consultant in active transportation at Health by Design and as a senior associate in manufacturing procurement and marketing and sales procurement at Eli Lilly and Company. In addition, she served as a logistics supervisor for the Kohler Company in Wisconsin and as an account manager for Schneider National in Georgia.

Kennedy has a Bachelor of Science in Business with majors in Marketing and Operations Management from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. In addition, she has a Master of Public Affairs in Environmental Policy and Sustainability and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University.

Nicole currently serves as Operations Manager at the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Prior to joining CICP, she spent several years at ProWellness Chiropractic in Fishers, Indiana.

Nicole’s professional experience includes operations, administration, customer service, and team coordination. Her background also includes roles with The Hope Source, INC. and The Applied Behavior Center.

Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with minors in Psychology and Medical Sociology from Indiana University Indianapolis.

Courtney Kerr serves as the communications manager for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). For over four years, Kerr guided marketing efforts for Upper Hand, a sports management software company, leading the company's SEO strategy, supporting cross-departmental initiatives, and writing and distributing content to internal and external stakeholders.

Kerr's experience includes executing marketing strategies, developing customer case studies, leading organic SEO strategy to grow traffic and company awareness, and maintaining relationships with industry and local media and community leaders.

While attending High Point University, Kerr received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Event Management and a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication.

Elizabeth Lerch serves as the Senior Director of Development and Grants Management for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Prior to joining CICP, Lerch served as a Director of Business Partnerships for Indiana University.

Lerch is returning to CICP where she spent 12 years at the organization and its advanced manufacturing and logistics initiative Conexus Indiana. As the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives for CICP, Lerch led development efforts to secure operational funding across the organization, among other projects. As a part of Conexus Indiana, she served as Project Director, increasing the impact of the initiatives’ talent recruitment and talent development programs.

She has also held roles at the Indiana Department of Administration, Westcomm, Inc., and Butler University.

Lerch serves as a board member for the IPS Education Foundation.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Butler University.

Destiny currently serves as Director of Programs at the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Prior to this role, she held several positions at Ascend Indiana, an initiative of CICP, most recently serving as Vice President of Engagement.

Her professional background spans workforce development, strategic partnerships, talent acquisition, and stakeholder engagement. Through her work at Ascend, she built relationships with business, education, and community leaders across Indiana to strengthen talent pipelines and advanced shared workforce priorities.

Destiny earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, where she double majored in Marketing and Management.

Ngor Mbengue currently serves as Senior Manager, Business Systems & Technology Operations for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Prior to this role, Ngor held the position of Quality Assurance Analyst at Ascend Indiana, an initiative of CICP.

His professional background includes software quality assurance, Salesforce administration, Agile project management and process improvement. Ngor holds a master's degree from Avignon Université in France and is a Salesforce Certified Administrator, Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO I) and ISTQB Certified Tester. He is fluent in both English and French.

Erica Medina serves as the Senior Manager of Strategic Projects and Development at the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Prior to joining CICP, Medina held multiple roles at Ascend Indiana, focusing on workforce development, strategic partnerships, and data insights. Medina has served in  several positions in higher education, including serving as an admission counselor at the University of Indianapolis and director of residence life at Saint Mary’s College. Additionally, she has served as a program coordinator for a healthcare pipeline initiative at University of Indianapolis and as a counselor for TRiO programs at the University of Notre Dame.

Medina holds a Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University- Indianapolis and a Master’s in Strategic Leadership and Design from the University of Indianapolis.

Angela Mertz serves as Staff Accountant and Accounts Receivable Manager for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Prior to joining CICP, Mertz served as the Accounts Payable Coordinator for the City of Greenwood, Ind.

Mertz has held additional roles as Crew Leader for Dirt Busters and as an Internal Auditor for Indiana Members Credit Union.

She has a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Finance and Institutional Finance from Ball State University.

Erreol Morgan serves as the Manager of Programs and Memberships for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). She is also a Community Organizer and Youth Director. Prior to joining CICP, Morgan spent several years at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) where she served as Quality Review Technician, Administrative Assistant to the Director of ESS Compliance and as an Onboarding and Training Facilitator.

Morgan has also served as a Lead Community Health Coach and Patient Service Assistant at the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital.

Drawing upon years of hands-on experience and natural aptitude for learning, Morgan has honed her skills through real-world projects, completed courses at Indiana Wesleyan University and continues to self-educate.

Vicky Morrow serves as an operations specialist for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). She previously served as operations associate and office coordinator for CICP. Prior to joining the organization, she served in various roles at Angie’s List including payroll and general accounting clerk, workforce planning and optimization administrator and member care representative.

She has also held roles as an appraisal assistant for Anderson Appraisal Services and as a retail associate and assistant manager for Rock City Gardens.

Morrow earned an Associate of General Studies degree (Cum Laude) from Ivy Tech Community College.

Matthew Rademacher serves as the accounting and administration specialist for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Prior to joining CICP, he worked as a senior controls technician and deputy supervisor before being promoted to an accounting specialist for Saint-Gobain/SAGE Electrochromic in Minnesota.

Rademacher has an associate degree in Accounting and an Electrical Construction and Maintenance Technology Degree from Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, Minnesota.

Ronnetta Spalding serves as the senior director of communications for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Prior to joining CICP, Spalding served as chief communications officer for Indy Parks.

Spalding has also served as a public relations coordinator for the IU Public Policy Institute, as the owner of Net PR Group LLC, as the communications manager for IndyGo, as the press secretary for the Indiana Lieutenant Governor’s office and public information officer for the City of Indianapolis.

She is active in her community where she serves on several boards and holds committee positions including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee member and president of the Parents Association at St. Thomas Aquinas School and as a board member with Hoosier Women Forward.

Spalding has a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications, with a minor in Afro-American Studies, from Indiana University.

Christopher Stuck serves as Accounting Manager for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Prior to joining CICP, Stuck served as Senior Accountant at Walker Information. During his career, Stuck has gained over seven years of experience across corporate and client-facing roles. His professional background spans financial statement preparation, audit support, account reconciliation, and investor reporting, with a focus on making complex financials easy to understand.

Stuck holds Bachelor’s degrees in both Accounting and Management from Indiana University, Fort Wayne.

Abby currently serves as the Human Resources Generalist at the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Prior to this role, she held the position of Manager of Workforce Strategies for Ascend Indiana, an initiative of CICP.

Her professional background spans talent acquisition, learning and development, and business development. These experiences have strengthened her skills in communication, collaboration, and strategic problem-solving.

Abby holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and Business Management from Indiana-University-Purdue-University-Indianapolis, where she served as Vice President of Scholarship and Awards for Delta Sigma Pi, as well as Director of Membership for the university’s Society for Human Resource Management chapter.

Sara Walker serves as the Senior Director of Human Resources for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Walker was promoted to her current role after starting with CICP as Manager of Human Resources.

Prior to joining CICP, Walker served as the Senior Human Resources Consultant for Sharecare and as a Human Resources Business Partner for Mölnlycke Health Care. In addition, she served as a Human Resources Generalist for GSF USA, Inc.

Walker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

Derek Weinberg serves as the director of Data and AnalytiXIN for the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). He is also currently an associate lecturer for Indiana University Kelley School of Business Evening MBA as well as president of Fox Theory Consulting, LLC. Prior to joining CICP, Weinberg worked for The Heritage Group as strategic business intelligence manager. He has also previously held roles at Indiana Department of Transportation, and as an adjunct professor at Indiana University Purdue University Columbus.

Weinberg earned a Master of Jurisprudence from Indiana University McKinney School of Law, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Indiana University Kelly School of Business, and Bachelor's degree from University of Illinois. He is also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business Leadership in AI & Analytics Program.