Speakers

Matt specializes in capital projects financing and economic development financing for municipalities. He has assisted communities with the preparation and negotiation of economic development incentives, evaluation of and planning for tax increment financing (TIF) areas, annual reporting requirements, capital projects financings, financial planning and the development or update of recreation impact fees. Matt has assisted in preparing special legislative analyses for Indiana municipal organizations, and he frequently participates as a guest speaker at events of various Indiana local government and economic development organizations.

With nearly 30 years experience in public relations and communications, Jo Lynn Garing is a seasoned professional with a unique background in communication strategy, crisis management, media relations and internal communications in the government, nonprofit and corporate sectors. She’s also a passionate leader who takes teams to the next level through strategic counsel, recognition, feedback and development.

In her current role, Jo Lynn is the Head of Communications for Roche’s global Pathology Lab business in Tucson, AZ, which focuses on cancer diagnostics. She is accountable for ensuring communication strategies contribute to business outcomes for the company’s broad pathology portfolio, and she serves on the Pathology Lab Leadership Team. In 2017, she joined Roch to lead a team of communication business partners that drove internal and external communication strategies for Roche’s North American commercial engine in Indianapolis.

Previously, Jo Lynn was Director of Corporate Communications at OneAmerica, a mid-size financial services company headquartered in Indianapolis, where she led a team focused on employee communications and public relations. Other notable roles include leading public relations efforts for Kiwanis International, a global service organization, and serving as press secretary to Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson.

Jo Lynn is Accredited in Public Relations through the Public Relations Society of America. In 2019, she graduated from the Stanley K Lacy Executive Leadership Program as part of Class 43.

Karrah Herring serves on the cabinet for Indiana governor, Eric J. Holcomb. Her team’s key priorities focus on economic development, community investment and addressing education outcomes for historically underrepresented populations in rural, urban and suburban Indiana. Prior to joining the Governor’s team Karrah worked for the University of Notre Dame for a decade and directed the university in areas of workplace culture, employment compliance, and external affairs. Karrah has received a number of awards and recognition. She was named to the Indianapolis Business Journal’s prestigious and inaugural list of Indiana’s 250 most influential leaders (which also includes former Vice President Mike Pence and former Indiana Governor, Mitch Daniels), and the IBJ’s Forty leaders under 40 list. Appointed by Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush, Karrah serves on the Indiana Supreme Court’s Commission on Equity and Access where she chairs a subcommittee focused on creating pathways for Indiana’s bench and bar. The Indiana Judges Association recently awarded her for her efforts with this commission. In January of 2023, South Bend, Indiana Mayor, James Mueller, honored Karrah with the “Key to the City,” recognizing her work to bring more opportunity to all Hoosiers. She is a graduate of Purdue University and Valparaiso University School of Law. Karrah is the assistant pastor of her family's church, Faith Alive Ministries in South Bend, where she supports her brother as the senior pastor, and their parents. When Karrah isn't serving in her professional roles, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband Ray, and their three children Bryce, Brianna and Ja’Mari.

Melina Kennedy was elected as the chief executive officer of the Central 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.

Mark is a partner in Taft’s Public Affairs Strategies Group. He has a multidimensional federal, state, and local government relations practice that combines public policy advocacy with traditional legal skills. He represents clients in a wide range of legislative, regulatory, and procurement matters at all levels of government. Executives of companies, leaders of business associations, public sector entities, and important non-profit organizations regularly turn to him for his high-level strategic advice, legal counsel, and abilities to assist their organizations with solving challenges posed by the government.

Mark's legislative practice spans over 20 years, concentrating on state and local advocacy, legislative monitoring, grassroots programming, and political strategy. In this role, he has helped advance new laws across many industry sectors, including agriculture, appropriations, commerce, energy, environmental, food and beverage, gaming, taxes, and heavily regulated industries.

As a trusted legal advisor, Mark brings to Taft’s clients his understanding of their business with considerable experience in successfully matching the right legal talent to the challenge and needs of businesses while managing client relationships, administrative matters, and overall client service.

His administrative and regulatory law practice focuses on administrative rules, campaign finance and election law compliance, enforcement matters, government contracts and procurement, licensing matters, and regulatory filings. Mark has represented clients in a variety of matters with local and state government agencies. He has successfully represented clients on challenging matters involving heavily regulated industries.

Mr. Thompson is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the following, Indianapolis-based organizations: Thompson Distribution Company, Inc.; First Electric Supply Company, LLC; CMID; and BC-SESCO. Mr. Thompson also served as a consultant for McKinsey and Company in the New York and London offices from 1981-1982. In 1983 he operated as an independent consultant to several Fortune 500 corporations from a NYC office. From 1984 to 2001, Mr. Thompson served as Vice President of Mays Chemical Company, Inc. in Indianapolis.

He serves on the Boards of The National Bank of Indianapolis-Chair ALCO Committee; Heron Capital’s Advisory Board; Specialized Component Parts Limited; Indy Chamber (Past Chairman); Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP); Indiana Economic Development Corporation-Chair-Entrepreneurship Committee; National Center for Complex Operations (NCCO), Past Chairman); Chair Eskenazi Health Foundation; Riley Children’s Hospital Foundation-Treasurer; Crossroads of America Council of Boy Scouts-President Elect; Indiana Chamber of Commerce; 2021 NBA All-Star Game; Indy Championships Fund; Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee; Columbia University Graduate School of Business; Board President Elect-Crossroads of America Council (Scouting).