Talent Scout with Dave Neff

IBJ Media Podcast Network
IBJ Media Podcast Network
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Talent Scout with Dave Neff is a podcast spotlighting Indiana’s next generation of leaders who are shaping the future of business, community, and civic life. Hosted by Dave Neff—known for his gift in building authentic relationships that create meaningful value—the show features candid conversations with emerging changemakers across industries. With a focus on mentorship, intentional networking, and statewide impact, Talent Scout offers a platform for rising talent to share their stories, values, and vision for Indiana, while inspiring listeners to invest in leadership that lasts. Presented by JDA Worldwide.

  1. 4d ago

    Mark Fisher on Indiana Housing, Leadership & the Power of Showing Up

    How can Indiana protect its housing affordability advantage—and what does it take to build a meaningful career? In this episode of Talent Scout, Mark Fisher, CEO of the Indiana Association of Realtors, joins us on location at the Indiana 250 Awards inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. From growing up in Bloomington and playing rugby at Indiana University to working in Ireland and shaping public policy at the Indy Chamber, Mark shares the experiences and mentors that shaped his leadership journey. He also explains how housing supply, affordability, and homeownership connect to Indiana’s ability to attract young families and grow its economy. For young professionals, Mark offers a direct challenge: “Must be present to win.” Hear his perspective on working in person, becoming a trusted problem-solver, and learning from the opportunities right in front of you. Plus, he discusses his community involvement and why he wants Indianapolis to think bigger about its future.

    Mark Fisher on Indiana Housing, Leadership & the Power of Showing Up

  2. Sep 3

    Joel Zawacki on Indianapolis Indians Growth, Leadership and the Next 30 Years of Victory Field

    Indianapolis Indians executive Joel Zawacki has spent nearly 20 years helping grow the Triple-A club while reshaping how it serves downtown Indianapolis. His career has moved from partnership activation and sales to strategy, venue planning, brand development and community impact. Zawacki, vice president and chief commercial officer for the Indianapolis Indians, traces his path from a Michigan City childhood built around neighborhood baseball to the University of Indianapolis and internships in minor league baseball and with the Pacers. He explains how the Indians grew corporate partnership revenue from about $1 million to more than $5.5 million, why long-term relationships matter more than rate cards, and how a sports organization can create value for fans, partners and its city. The conversation also covers the business model behind a Triple-A team, the Indianapolis Indians' role in bringing hundreds of thousands of people downtown, and the next phase of Victory Field. Zawacki discusses the organization's brand refresh, plans for future ballpark improvements and the growth of Indianapolis Indians Charities, including Indy RBI and SWING at Victory Field. He also reflects on the mentors who gave him opportunities, the lessons he learned from a failed event and why he believes relationships compound into what he calls social capital. His leadership advice is simple and specific: bet on yourself, be responsive, be generous with your time and become someone people want at the table. He closes by explaining how losing his father and raising two young boys changed his definition of success, moving it away from personal legacy and toward passing strong values to his children. Talent Scout is hosted by Dave Neff. Learn more about JDA Worldwide at jdaworldwide.com.

    Joel Zawacki on Indianapolis Indians Growth, Leadership and the Next 30 Years of Victory Field

  3. Aug 20

    Erika Nelson Sylvester on AI Compliance, Career Pivots and Authenticx Growth

    AI compliance at a fast-growing health care startup requires more than spotting risk. Erika Nelson Sylvester explains how trust, speed and judgment help a legal leader support growth without becoming a blocker. Sylvester, general counsel and head of compliance at Authenticx, traces a career shaped by competition, hard choices and a willingness to change direction. She grew up in the Chicago suburbs, played Division I basketball at Bradley University and describes how a difficult junior season pushed her to seek help from a sports psychologist. Her senior year became her best, a lesson in letting go of pressure and rediscovering why she loved the game. After Valparaiso University School of Law and several years in private practice, Sylvester moved to Cummins, where she worked in audit and legal roles, then to Angi before taking a role at Authenticx. She explains how repeated coffee meetings and professional relationships opened doors, why broad experience matters to her, and what attracted her to the speed of startup life. The conversation also covers Authenticx's use of AI and human listening to analyze health care call-center data, the legal balance between revenue and risk, working in a regulated industry, and why the company's mission of helping people be heard keeps the work meaningful. Sylvester also discusses coaching youth basketball, leadership agility, vulnerability and her advice to younger professionals: do not be afraid to make the hard choice. Talent Scout host Dave Neff talks with Indiana leaders who are making a difference in business, community and civic life. Learn more about JDA Worldwide at jdaworldwide.com.

    Erika Nelson Sylvester on AI Compliance, Career Pivots and Authenticx Growth

  4. Aug 6

    Leadership Lessons From Merchants Capital CEO Michael Dury

    Leadership at Merchants Capital began for Michael Dury with a simple habit: listen, find the answer and take on work others needed done. That approach helped him grow from a 2007 hire at PR Mortgage & Investments into president and CEO of a national multifamily finance company. Dury tells Talent Scout host Dave Neff how sports shaped his views on discipline, competition and teamwork. He reflects on growing up in Fishers and Indianapolis, attending Bishop Chatard High School, playing baseball at the University of Notre Dame, and choosing academics and long-term development over chasing a quick career move. He also describes how a chance introduction led him to Michael F. Petrie and a company of roughly 12 people just before the financial crisis. The conversation follows the business as it expanded beyond Indiana, rebranded as Merchants Capital and built a team of about 350 employees. Dury explains why the firm stayed focused on multifamily, affordable housing, senior housing and health care finance, and why that specialization helped it compete nationally. He also discusses the Indianapolis developers and mentors who accelerated his learning. Dury connects professional leadership with family, coaching and community service, including his work with Providence Cristo Rey High School. His advice to early-career professionals is practical: be resourceful, listen closely, handle small jobs well and help the team before worrying about a title. Talent Scout features conversations with Indiana leaders making a difference in business, community and civic life. Learn more about JDA Worldwide at jdaworldwide.com.

    Leadership Lessons From Merchants Capital CEO Michael Dury

  5. Jul 16

    Jeff Brown: Faith, Community, and Leading North City Church

    Jeff Brown built a church that looks like its neighborhood. The lead pastor of North City Church in Indianapolis describes how a kid from the east side who got expelled, lost his brother and best friend to violence, and never planned on ministry ended up leading one of the city's fastest-growing congregations. Brown traces his path from the streets of Indianapolis to Ivy Tech, Crossroads Bible College, Southern Seminary in Louisville, and a staff role at College Park Church before taking over a struggling 25-person congregation in Pike Township. Three years later, North City has more than quadrupled in size and reflects the racial and economic diversity of the community around it, roughly 45% Black, 45% white, with Latino and Asian families filling out the rest. He also discusses his role as board chair of Together Indy, a coalition of more than 50 Indianapolis churches working across racial and denominational lines, his involvement with the men's leadership group Citizen 7, and why he believes Indianapolis is on the verge of something significant. His definition of success has nothing to do with church size. Talent Scout host Dave Neff sits down with leaders across Indiana who are building something that matters. New episodes available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Learn more about JDA Worldwide at jdaworldwide.com.

    Jeff Brown: Faith, Community, and Leading North City Church

  6. Jul 2

    Luke Bosso on Leading IU Indy Athletics and Building Indianapolis

    Luke Bosso built one of Indianapolis's most unconventional resumes in civic life, moving from state government and the Indiana Economic Development Corp to leading Division I athletics at IU Indianapolis. Now three years in as director of athletics, Bosso oversees 300 student athletes across 18 sports and is preparing to open the James C. Morris Arena, a 3,800-seat downtown venue that represents the most significant facility milestone in IU Indy Jaguar Athletics history. Bosso traces his work ethic to his parents' habit of welcoming people in need, his years as a bat boy with the Indianapolis Indians, and mentors including former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb's chief of staff Earl Goode and the late civic leader Jim Morris. He discusses what it was like to serve as chief of staff at the IEDC during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a late-night chase to verify a fraudulent PPE deal that ended with a 4 a.m. phone call to 3M Malaysia. The conversation also covers what surprised him most about working inside state government, why he believes curiosity is the most underrated professional skill, and the pressure of leading an athletics department where wins and losses are always public. Bosso is a Franklin College and North Central High School alumnus who serves on the Indianapolis Zoo board of trustees and the Hoosier Lottery Commission.

    Luke Bosso on Leading IU Indy Athletics and Building Indianapolis

  7. Jun 18

    Michael Berkery on Newfields, the State Fairgrounds, and Leading Through Transformation

    Michael Berkery built his career from directing parking lot traffic to leading one of Indianapolis's most storied cultural campuses. Now serving as Chief Operating Officer of Newfields, Berkery reflects on the operational philosophy, mentors, and defining life experiences that shaped his leadership. Berkery traces his path from the south suburbs of Chicago through a decade with Live Nation Entertainment, where he managed concert venues in the Chicago area and Washington, D.C., to 11 years rising to COO at the Indiana State Fair Commission. He discusses what drew him to Newfields, a 152-acre cultural campus that includes a world-class art museum, historic garden, and free public nature park, and why he believes the institution is entering one of its most transformative periods yet. He also opens up about growing up with an older brother who had cerebral palsy, how that experience shaped his work ethic and empathy, and why he believes opportunity is most often found in the work nobody else wants to do. From a $9 million garden restoration to the future of Newfields' physical campus, Berkery offers a candid look at what it takes to steward a complex, mission-driven institution. Talent Scout with Dave Neff features conversations with Indiana leaders making a difference in business, community, and civic life. Sponsored by JDA Worldwide - jdaworldwide.com.

    Michael Berkery on Newfields, the State Fairgrounds, and Leading Through Transformation

  8. Jun 4

    Morgan Snyder of Visit Indy on Selling Indianapolis to the World

    Morgan Snyder has spent 15 years helping shape how the world sees Indianapolis, and her work is entering its most consequential chapter yet. As Vice President of Communications and Community Relations at Visit Indy, Snyder oversees the messaging strategy behind a city in the middle of a $3 billion tourism infrastructure boom, a Michelin guide expansion into the Midwest, and the arrival of the American Society of Association Executives convention, what she calls the Super Bowl of the conventions world. Snyder traces her path from Oldham County, Kentucky, to Butler University, where a brochure promising "one of the country's most romantic campuses" sparked a career rooted in hospitality, place-making, and civic pride. She reflects on her time at the Conrad Indianapolis, where luxury service principles shaped her professional philosophy, and on the years she spent navigating the national fallout from Indiana's 2015 Religious Freedom Restoration Act, one of the most challenging communications crises Indianapolis has faced in recent memory. She also discusses mentorship, the value of treating every internship like a job interview, and why success, to her, means uplifting the people around you as you rise.

    Morgan Snyder of Visit Indy on Selling Indianapolis to the World
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4.6
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Talent Scout with Dave Neff is a podcast spotlighting Indiana’s next generation of leaders who are shaping the future of business, community, and civic life. Hosted by Dave Neff—known for his gift in building authentic relationships that create meaningful value—the show features candid conversations with emerging changemakers across industries. With a focus on mentorship, intentional networking, and statewide impact, Talent Scout offers a platform for rising talent to share their stories, values, and vision for Indiana, while inspiring listeners to invest in leadership that lasts. Presented by JDA Worldwide.

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