INDIANAPOLIS — Molly Dodge, senior vice president of workforce and careers at Ivy Tech Community College, has been named the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Dan Elsener Workforce Leader of the Year. The award was presented today during the Indiana Workforce Summit, presented by Google and in partnership with the Indiana Workforce Alliance.
In her role leading workforce engagement for the nation’s largest community college system, Dodge operates at every level of Indiana’s talent development ecosystem. Her colleagues revere not just the scope of her work, but the purpose that drives her commitment to help Indiana’s people and communities thrive. She connects employers with the talent they need to grow, while creating opportunities for individuals to build meaningful careers and brighter futures for themselves and their families.
“I’m truly honored to receive this recognition, especially an award named for Dan Elsener, whose leadership and passion for education and workforce development have made a lasting impact on Indiana,” Dodge explains. “I’m grateful to the many colleagues and partners who share this commitment. Looking ahead, I’m excited about the opportunities to reimagine how education and workforce development can connect more Hoosiers to meaningful careers and help Indiana’s economy thrive.”
Dodge’s leadership is grounded in firsthand experience, from leading the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and adult education programs at River Valley Resources in southeastern Indiana to serving as chancellor of Ivy Tech Madison. She has worked on the front lines of workforce development and understands both the challenges and opportunities facing employers, students, and communities.
Indiana Chamber President and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders applauds Dodge’s selection.
“Molly and Ivy Tech are critical pieces of the puzzle when it comes to connecting Hoosier talent with employers throughout the state,” she praises. “By championing education, workforce development and opportunity, she has helped countless individuals build brighter futures while strengthening employers and fueling statewide growth.”
Dodge holds a degree from Hanover College and master’s degrees in non-profit management and philanthropic studies from Indiana University Indianapolis.
Supporting the conference are platinum sponsors Indiana Wesleyan University, Meta and Western Governors University (WGU); gold sponsors Metaimpact, Ivy Tech Community College, JobWorks, Inc., Marian University’s Saint Joseph’s College, Project Lead The Way, UIndy Online and Sease Institute; silver sponsors AmeriHealth Caritas, Career+ by Skyepack, Central Indiana Educational Service Center, Geographic Solutions and Resultant; supporting sponsors Center of Workforce Innovations, Eastern Indiana Works, EmployIndy, Northeast Indiana Works, Northern Indiana Workforce Board, Region 4 Workforce Board, Region 5 Workforce Board, Inc., South Central Region 8 Workforce Board, Southeast Indiana Workforce Board, Southern Indiana Works, Southwest Indiana Workforce Board and Western Indiana Workforce Development Board, Inc.
