WEST LAFAYETTE — Several Purdue University leaders have been recognized among Indiana’s most influential professionals in IBJ Media’s 2026 Indiana 250, an annual list honoring leaders who have made significant contributions in business, education, government, health care and other sectors across the state.
Representing Purdue this year are interim President Mitch Daniels, Executive Vice President for Research Dan DeLaurentis, men’s basketball head coach Matt Painter, Senior Vice Provost for Indianapolis David Umulis, and Purdue University trustees Sonny Beck, JoAnn Brouillette and David Ricks. The university also boasts 23 alumni on the 2026 list.
The Indiana 250 recognizes executives, public officials and nonprofit leaders from some of Indiana’s largest and most influential organizations. Purdue is represented in all 10 award categories.
Daniels received his fifth Indiana 250 honor in the Civic Leadership category. He returned as Purdue’s interim president on July 1 after previously serving as the university’s president from 2013 to 2022 and as Indiana governor from 2005 to 2013. During his first tenure at Purdue, Daniels oversaw a tuition freeze while expanding the university’s national reputation and emphasizing student affordability.
DeLaurentis earned his first Indiana 250 recognition in the Nonprofit & Education category. As Purdue’s executive vice president for research, he oversees the university’s research enterprise, which has achieved record-setting funding levels. During his previous leadership role at Discovery Park District, Purdue’s institutes and centers helped secure more than $205 million in research awards in 2024.
Painter also made his Indiana 250 debut in the Hospitality, Arts & Entertainment category. Since becoming Purdue’s head coach in 2005, he has guided the Boilermakers to five Big Ten regular-season championships, three conference tournament titles and a national championship game appearance in 2024. He ranks second in program history in career victories and has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year five times.
Umulis joined the list for the first time in the Nonprofit & Education category. Since joining Purdue in 2008, he has helped lead the university’s expansion into Indianapolis, building partnerships that create research collaborations and internship opportunities for students while supporting workforce development across the state.
Trustee David Ricks, who serves as chair and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company, was again recognized in the Life Sciences & Health Care category. Fellow trustees Sonny Beck and JoAnn Brouillette were honored in the Energy & Agriculture category. Beck has appeared on the Indiana 250 five times, while Brouillette has earned the distinction four times.
Prominent Purdue alumni also on the 2026 Indiana 250 honorees list are:
- Scott Brand, president and COO, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Carmel
- Mike Clem, president and CEO, Sweetwater Sound, Grabill
- Rick Conner, CEO, American Structurepoint, Noblesville
- Christopher Day, CEO, Elevate Ventures, Zionsville
- Heather Ennis, president and CEO, Northwest Indiana Forum, Porter
- Chuck Goodrich, secretary of commerce, state of Indiana, Noblesville
- Shane Hageman, president, Hageman Group, Indianapolis
- Lacy Johnson, partner, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Indianapolis
- Randy Kron, president, Indiana Farm Bureau, Evansville
- John Laurie, CEO, Jack Laurie Group, Fort Wayne
- Shawn McCoy, CEO, Deaconess Health System, Evansville
- Seth Morales, CEO, Morales Group, Indianapolis
- Mark Music, owner and CEO, Ruoff Mortgage, Fort Wayne
- Paul Okeson, president, Garmong Construction, Fishers
- Ersal Ozdemir, founder, owner and chair, Keystone Group and Indy Eleven, Carmel
- Mamon Powers III, president and CEO, Powers & Sons Construction Co., Indianapolis
- Jennifer Rumsey, chair and CEO, Cummins Inc., Columbus
- Loretta Rush, chief justice, Indiana Supreme Court, Lafayette
- Tiffany Sauder, founder, Life of And, Zionsville
- Marilee Springer, partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Carmel
- Melissa St. John, owner and CEO, Relocation Strategies and Relo Design, Indianapolis
- Brent Yeagy, president and CEO, Wabash, Lafayette
- Sherri Ziller, president and CEO, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, Crown Point
IBJ Media’s Indiana 250 honorees were recognized Tuesday (July 21) at a reception in Indianapolis.
