Inspire Her Women’s History Month

1. Virginia A. Caine, MD

Virginia A. Caine, MD – March 2025

Dr. Virginia A. Caine is the Director and Chief Medical Officer of the Marion County Public Health Department. She is also an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Infectious Diseases Division at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Dr. Caine served as the Past President of the American Public Health Association and is the 125th President of the National Medical Association. In 2017, she became the first Black and first female recipient of the BioCrossroads “August M. Watanabe Life Sciences Champion of the Year” Award. In 2020, the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) recognized her as one of the “40 Influential People of the Past 40 Years.”

She currently chairs the Indiana University Clinical and Translational Science Institute External Advisory Board and serves as a member of the Regenstrief Institute. She is a founding member of the Indiana Health Information Exchange and chairs the Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Community Advisory Committee.

Dr. Caine is a former member of the National Biodefense Science Board, which provides guidance to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness. She also serves on the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Editorial Board and the CDC’s Board of Scientific Counselors, Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases (BSC, DDID), one of the agency’s 19 federal advisory committees.

Dr. Caine is a tireless advocate for public health, advancing innovative programs and fostering groundbreaking collaborations. Her unwavering energy, vision, and commitment to serving underserved communities have made her a key player in numerous impactful health initiatives.

2. Kaitlyn Sintkowski

Kaitlyn Sintkowski
Senior Director, Digital Marketing at Pacers Sports & Entertainment

Kaitlyn Sintkowski is in her 7th season with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, currently serving as the Senior Director of Digital Marketing, Events, and Facilities. In this role, she oversees the digital marketing and brand strategies for Gainbridge Fieldhouse concerts and events, Morris Bicentennial Plaza, and the Pacers & Fever Team Store.

A dynamic, heart-led leader, Kaitlyn was honored with the 2023 WISE (Women in Sports & Events) Indianapolis “Woman to Watch” Award. She is deeply passionate about integrating live event marketing with city-wide initiatives, having previously led the NBA All-Star Digital Media Committee in 2024. Currently, Kaitlyn serves as Chair for both the WNBA All-Star 2025 and 2026 NCAA Men’s Final Four Local Organizing Committees.

A native of northwest Indiana, Kaitlyn holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Indiana University Bloomington. She is a creative at heart, with a deep interest in travel, spiritual growth, and wellness. In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys exploring sacred sites around the world, developing her intuition, and practicing hot yoga.

3. Tanya Searcy

Tanya Searcy brings over 25 years of experience in community relations, public relations, marketing, and fund development. She joined the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership as Chief Relationship Officer in January 2024, where she oversees three departments: philanthropic giving, marketing and communications, and a newly established community relations department.

Prior to this role, Searcy served as Senior Director of Public Relations at AES US Utilities, where she led the corporate social responsibility strategy for AES Indiana and Ohio. During her seven years at AES, she developed and implemented communications strategies to strengthen the utility’s community partnerships, enhance stakeholder engagement, and promote customer relations. Before AES, Searcy held various positions at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, focusing on corporate giving and partnerships, grants and foundations, and individual giving.

Searcy is actively involved in several community boards and committees, including LISC Indianapolis, Indianapolis Parks Alliance, Indianapolis Public Safety Foundation, Center for Leadership Development, Rev Indy, and the 2026 Final Four Local Organizing Committee. She has also served on the boards of Leadership Indianapolis, the 500 Festival, and the Domestic Violence Institute. Searcy is a graduate of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series. She resides in Indianapolis with her golden doodle, Roxy.

4. ANDREA NEELY

Andrea L. Neely, an Indianapolis native, is the President and CEO of the Simon Youth Foundation (SYF), where she is committed to helping at-risk students graduate high school and pursue brighter futures. Under her leadership, SYF has invested over $22 million in scholarships and educator support, positively impacting thousands of students across 12 states, including 11 academies in Indiana.

With over 15 years of dedication to education, Andrea has also worked with UNCF, raising over $70 million to support students in Indiana and beyond. A proud Indiana University graduate, she has received numerous awards, including the Lifetime Education Achievement Award from Recorder Media Group and the Madam C.J. Walker Outstanding Woman of the Year Award.

5. Jill English

Jill L. English is a native of Indianapolis and a graduate of DePauw University, where she was the founding president of the Pi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She began working with abused and neglected children in the 1990s and has served in various roles, advocating for the needs of children and families, training foster parents and Court Appointed Special Advocates, and addressing the needs of traumatized youth with a focus on understanding diversity and the impact of trauma.

Ms. English is the Chief of Community Equity and Inclusion and Director of Interrupting Racism for Children at Child Advocates, a facilitator for Spirit and Place’s Powerful Conversations on Race, and serves on boards and advisory committees focused on community advancement. She served as a member of the Equity, Inclusion, and Cultural Competence Committee for the Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana and is on the advisory committee for the You Worker-Well Being Project. She founded and oversees Youth Against Racial Injustice (YARI), a group of teens and young adults supported in their endeavors to interrupt bias and barriers through access, exposure, and educational opportunities.

Ms. English holds several certifications in diversity and inclusion and has been recognized locally and nationally for her work. For over twenty-five years, Ms. English has provided education on forward-thinking inclusive change that promotes thriving, healthy communities. She is the proud daughter of James and Deborah English and the mother of her heartbeats, Ariel and Alexis Cheatham.

6. Kia Wright

Kia Wright is the Founder and Executive Director of VOICES Corporation. A proud graduate of Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, she went on to attend Indiana State University on a full Track and Field scholarship. While earning her Master’s degree in Criminology, Kia began working at the Vigo County Juvenile Probation Department in 2004, where she developed a strong passion for community development.

In 2008, she moved back to Indianapolis and worked for Marion County Juvenile Probation, gaining a deeper understanding of systemic trauma and the root causes of delinquent and criminal behavior. In 2010, Kia founded VOICES with the vision of empowering communities of color through communal healing, artistic expression, and economic mobility.

In 2012, she left her position in probation to focus entirely on community work. VOICES was created to center the lived experiences of Black and Brown communities, offering safe spaces for self-expression and healing. Today, VOICES serves 750+ youth and families annually across 36 Indianapolis zip codes and 7 Indiana counties.

Kia is also a founding Board Member of Invent Learning Hub Charter School and serves on several key committees, including the Indiana Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee and the Juvenile Detention Alternatives to Detention Steering Committee. She is an alumna of the Indiana Youth Services Association Executive Journey Fellowship.

Kia resides on the northwest side of Indianapolis with her husband, Trey (VOICES COO), and their two young boys.

7. Jill Hauser Robisch First Vice President & Manager

Ms. Robisch is a seasoned banking professional with over 20 years of experience, specializing in serving nonprofit organizations. As the leader of the nonprofit division at The National Bank of Indianapolis, she oversees services for over 30% of nonprofit organizations in Central Indiana. Her team provides expert consultation on deposit, loan, and investment services, offering prompt decisions and innovative solutions tailored to the unique financial needs of each organization.

Her career began in corporate banking at Merrill Lynch and has included leadership roles at Regions Bank and BMO Harris Bank before joining The National Bank of Indianapolis in 2011. Ms. Robisch’s extensive experience spans both for-profit and nonprofit sectors, equipping her with the knowledge to navigate diverse financial landscapes.

Ms. Robisch holds a B.S. degree in Finance from Butler University, an MBA in Finance from Ball State University, and has completed advanced banking studies at the Stonier Graduate School of Banking and Wharton Leadership Program at the University of Pennsylvania.

A committed community leader, Ms. Robisch has served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including the Arts Council of Indianapolis, Early Learning Indiana, the Renaissance Charitable Foundation, and the Indianapolis Alumni Association of Kappa Gamma. She is also a graduate of the United Way Ardath Burkhart series, a prestigious leadership and board development program.

In her personal time, Ms. Robisch enjoys entertaining, cooking, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She is passionate about attending arts, cultural, and sporting events, further engaging with her community.

8. Meisha Hayes | Founder Girl Gang Indy

Meisha Hayes is a talented photographer who began her journey with a passion for capturing and sharing the positive stories of success, joy, and resilience within her community. As a first-generation entrepreneur, she founded Girl Gang Indy with the mission to empower women entrepreneurs by creating a supportive environment where they can build meaningful connections and a strong sense of sisterhood. Through thoughtfully designed events and initiatives, Meisha fosters an atmosphere of learning, growth, and collaboration among members.

Under her leadership, Girl Gang Indy has made a significant impact, raising over $40K through crowdfunding to support and uplift women-owned businesses within the community. By championing economic empowerment and creating opportunities for women to thrive, Meisha continues to inspire others to pursue their dreams while strengthening the bonds of community and support among women entrepreneurs.

9. Jennifer-Ruth Green

Jennifer-Ruth Green is a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, combat veteran of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and senior Air Force officer. She has held key leadership positions, including serving as the Air Operations Boss for the 60th Presidential Inauguration and ground incident commander during the 2025 Potomac airplane crash. A former CIO of a Fighter Wing and FAA-certified flight instructor, she founded Battle-Proven Leadership. Currently, she is the Executive Director of Indiana’s Department of Homeland Security and the state’s Secretary of Public Safety.

10. Brandi Davis-Handy President, AES Indiana

Meet Brandi Davis-Handy, the dynamic President of AES Indiana, leading a dedicated team to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions to over 530,000 customers. With more than 20 years of experience in leadership, Brandi has previously held key roles as Chief Customer Officer and Chief Public Relations Officer for AES US Utilities. Prior to AES, she contributed her expertise to organizations like Project Lead The Way, OneAmerica Financial Partners, and the American Cancer Society.

Brandi is also an active community leader in Central Indiana, currently serving as Board President of GANGANG and holding board positions with the Indy Chamber, Indiana Energy Association, Indiana Sports Corporation, 500 Festival, Indiana University Indianapolis Advisory Council, Urban League of Central Indiana, the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, and Lynx Capital Corporation. A graduate of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series, Brandi’s impact goes beyond business.

Her leadership and influence have earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of the 250 Most Influential People in Indiana by the Indianapolis Business Journal in 2024 and a Woman of Influence in 2022. She’s also been recognized by the Center for Leadership Development as a Minority Achiever in Media and Communications (2018) and received the Breakthrough Woman in Leadership Development Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (2018).

Brandi earned her B.A. in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University. Her passion for leadership, community service, and empowering others continues to drive her success and influence across the region. #Leadership #CommunityImpact #AESIndiana