Inspire HER: Women’s History Month 2026 - Page 5

Inspire HER: Women’s History Month 2026

Celebrating the Women Who Move Indianapolis Forward

Radio One Indianapolis

Every March, Radio One Indianapolis proudly celebrates Women’s History Month by recognizing the incredible women who are shaping our community through leadership, innovation, service, and impact.

Through our annual Inspire HER initiative, we spotlight women across Indianapolis who are making a difference in business, education, healthcare, public service, entrepreneurship, arts, media, and community development.

These women represent the strength, resilience, creativity, and leadership that continue to shape the future of our city.

Throughout the month, WTLC, Hot 100.9, and Praise Indy will highlight inspiring women across our platforms through special on-air features, digital stories, and community spotlights.

Join us as we celebrate the women who are helping move Indianapolis forward.

Kelly Doucet

Senior Community Leadership Officer, Women’s Fund of Central Indiana

Kelly Doucet is a dynamic leader and advocate dedicated to advancing opportunities for women and girls across Indiana. As Senior Community Leadership Officer at the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana, she leads strategic grantmaking and community initiatives designed to create meaningful and measurable impact throughout the state.

In addition to her role, Doucet serves as President of The Exchange at the Indianapolis Urban League, where she mobilizes young professionals to drive civic engagement, leadership development, and community impact. Her leadership has helped expand the organization’s reach while empowering the next generation of changemakers across Indianapolis and beyond.

Doucet is deeply engaged in the community through numerous leadership roles, including serving on the board of the Indianapolis Urban League and as a trustee for the Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County. Her work has earned her several honors, including the Indianapolis Business Journal Forty Under 40 Award and recognition from the National Urban League Young Professionals.

Michelle O’Keefe

Chief Communications Officer, Eskenazi Health

Michelle O’Keefe is a seasoned healthcare communications leader and Chief Communications Officer at Eskenazi Health. With more than 20 years of experience, she has played a key role in shaping the organization’s brand, leading strategic communications, public relations, and community engagement efforts across one of the nation’s largest essential health systems.

In her role, O’Keefe works closely with executive leadership to guide messaging, operations, and initiatives centered around access to care, equity, and community impact. She oversees integrated communications strategies including media relations, marketing, employee engagement, and outreach, helping strengthen connections between Eskenazi Health and the communities it serves.

Beyond her professional leadership, O’Keefe is deeply involved in community service and mentorship. She has served on several local boards and national organizations, advocating for health equity and leadership development while continuing to uplift the next generation of healthcare and communications professionals.

Pamela D. Poore

McDonald’s Owner/Operator

Pamela D. Poore is an Indianapolis native and McDonald’s Owner/Operator who has built a legacy of entrepreneurship and community impact across Central Indiana. After beginning her career in the corporate world, she transitioned into business ownership alongside her husband, becoming an approved McDonald’s Owner/Operator in 2014. Today, the Poores own and operate six McDonald’s locations throughout the region.

Through their business and philanthropy, Pam and her husband have made a lasting impact on the Indianapolis community, with a strong focus on education and opportunity. Together, they established the “Pamela and James 1st Gen Scholarship” to support Indianapolis Public Schools students attending Indiana State University, while also sponsoring and supporting numerous community initiatives.

Beyond her business leadership, Pam is actively involved in the community through board service and mentorship, including her work with the Indiana State University Foundation. A longtime member of Eastern Star Church, she is passionate about giving back, supporting families, and creating opportunities for the next generation.

Denise Herd, MBA

Founder, Herd Strategies

Denise Herd is the founder of Herd Strategies, a full-service public relations firm built on the belief that authentic communication drives meaningful change. Since launching the firm in 2011, she has helped organizations across corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors build stronger relationships through strategic messaging, community engagement, and trust-centered communication.

A highly sought-after crisis communications expert, Herd is known for guiding organizations through high-pressure situations with clarity and precision. From media briefings to community conversations, she creates spaces where dialogue can flourish, helping teams communicate effectively, navigate challenges, and strengthen their reputation with stakeholders.

Beyond her work with clients, Herd is deeply committed to mentorship and community impact. She supports entrepreneurs through the Indiana Black Expo Business Institute and Indianapolis Urban League Entrepreneurship Center, serves on multiple boards, and teaches as an adjunct professor at Indiana University Indianapolis. Her leadership and impact have earned her numerous honors, including the Indianapolis Business Journal Women of Influence Award.

Dr. Sigrid Y. Elston

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Sigrid Y. Elston is a licensed psychologist in Indiana and Georgia with extensive experience in counseling, clinical leadership, and mental health advocacy. She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Georgia and completed her postdoctoral training at Emory University School of Medicine. Over the course of her career, she has taught graduate-level courses, maintained a private practice in Atlanta, and served as a clinical director for a behavioral health agency.

Now based in Central Indiana, Dr. Elston provides therapy, supervision, and consultation services across the Indianapolis metropolitan area. She works with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, grief, and race-related stress, with specialized expertise in women’s mental and physical health, including postpartum depression, fertility challenges, menopause, and trauma.

A dedicated advocate for mental health and community wellness, Dr. Elston is a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Association of Black Psychologists, and the Indiana Psychological Association. She has also contributed to conversations on platforms like WTLC and Hot 100.9, continuing to use her voice to educate, uplift, and support the community.

Linda Clemons

CEO, Sisterpreneur Inc. | Sales and Nonverbal Communication Expert

Linda Clemons is an internationally recognized sales and nonverbal communication expert and the CEO of Sisterpreneur Inc. Based in Indianapolis, she is an award-winning sales producer and one of the top sales trainers in the resort industry, helping organizations generate more than $2 billion in sales. She is also a certified body language expert trained in analytic interviewing and statement analysis, techniques used to detect deception and strengthen communication.

Throughout her career, Clemons has worked with some of the world’s leading brands and organizations, including Southwest Airlines, Delta Airlines, Coca-Cola, Spanx, Publix, Nestlé, Victoria’s Secret, Marriott, Hilton, Wells Fargo, and Major League Baseball. She has also shared stages with notable leaders including Oprah Winfrey, President Barack Obama, Steve Wozniak, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Her many honors include the Office Depot National Entrepreneur Award, the Sagamore of the Wabash, recognition in the United States Congressional Record for community service, and being named a Top 50 Speaker by Real Leaders Magazine. She is also a USA Today and Los Angeles Times bestselling author of HUSH: How to Radiate Power and Confidence Without Saying a Word.

Inga Harrington

Vice President of People & Culture, Eiteljorg Museum

Inga Harrington serves as Vice President of People & Culture at the Eiteljorg Museum, where she leads the museum’s human resources, volunteer, and community engagement efforts. In her role, she works to cultivate a workplace culture that supports the museum’s mission while strengthening connections with diverse communities and expanding access to arts and culture across Indianapolis.

A native of Indianapolis, Harrington brings more than 25 years of experience in program development, policy, and personnel management. Throughout her career, she has helped organizations navigate growth and change through collaborative leadership and data-driven decision-making.

Harrington is deeply committed to community service and mentorship. She has served as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana since 2005 and was named Big Sister of the Year in 2019. She also mentors through Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and serves on the board of the Emerging Pearls Foundation, continuing her mission of uplifting and empowering others in the Indianapolis community.

Nadia E. Miller

Founder and Board President of Pink-4-Ever

Nadia E. Miller is a distinguished advocate and leader whose work has significantly advanced breast health awareness and support for women. A graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University with a degree in business, she transitioned from a corporate career to full-time advocacy following her breast cancer diagnosis at age 28. In 2008, she co-founded Pink-4-Ever Inc., an organization dedicated to addressing disparities in breast cancer outcomes and providing critical resources to minority women. As Board President, she continues to guide the organization’s mission through advocacy, education, research and empowerment.

Her influence extends nationally as a sought-after speaker, mentor, and thought leader. In 2017, she established The Unicorns, a leadership development program designed to empower women to lead with confidence, authenticity, and purpose. She also serves as the host of the Beyond the Pink Ribbon podcast, where she amplifies stories of resilience and fosters meaningful conversations that inspire hope and change within the Indianapolis community and beyond.

Kristian Stricklen

President and CEO, Madam Walker Legacy Center

Kristian Stricklen serves as President and CEO of the Madam Walker Legacy Center, where she has helped guide the historic Indianapolis cultural institution into a new era of stability, visibility, and growth. During her leadership, the organization eliminated its debt, established an endowment, and secured funding to transform the theater’s rooftop into a new outdoor event space, further expanding the Walker’s role as a hub for arts and culture in Indianapolis.

With more than 25 years of experience in marketing and communications, Stricklen has held leadership roles with Kiwanis International, McDonald’s of Central Indiana and Kentuckiana, and Indiana Black Expo. She also previously served as Chief Communications and Engagement Officer for Indianapolis Public Schools, where she led district-wide communications and strategic initiatives.

In 2024, Stricklen received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Service from President Joe Biden. She has also been recognized as a Top Woman in Communications by Ragan’s PR Newswire and an Indianapolis Business Journal Woman of Influence, and she continues to serve the community through leadership roles with several Indianapolis organizations.

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