Talent Scout with Dave Neff

IBJ Media Podcast Network
  • 4.6 (7)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

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 Prolific, the Growth Firm.

  1. Michael Kaltenmark on Marketing the Indy 500 to a Sellout

    APR 16

    Michael Kaltenmark on Marketing the Indy 500 to a Sellout

    Michael Kaltenmark, Vice President of Marketing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has helped transform the Indianapolis 500 into a perennial sellout, drawing 350,000 fans and 8.5 million television viewers to one of sport's most iconic events. Here he explains how strategic marketing, the Snake Pit EDM stage, and a generation of experience-hungry young fans drove that growth. Kaltenmark traces a career that began with a journalism degree from Butler University, an early pass on motor sports job offers from CART and Walker Racing, and nearly two decades building Butler's live mascot program through back-to-back Final Four runs in 2010 and 2011. He also shares how a Crohn's disease diagnosis and a kidney transplant from his brother shaped the empathy and resilience that define his leadership approach. On the professional side, Kaltenmark breaks down the vision behind positioning the Indy 500 alongside the Super Bowl, the Masters, and Wimbledon on every sports fan's bucket list. He previews what the 110th running on May 24, 2026 has in store, including a patriotic pre-race production tied to the nation's semiquincentennial, the return of Black Hawk helicopters and the Wienermobile, Zedd headlining the Snake Pit, and Counting Crows and Switchfoot on Carb Day. He also reflects on the mentors who shaped his path and why relationships, not applications, have driven every career opportunity he has ever received.

    50 min
  2. Sarah Myer of Indiana Sports Corp on What Makes Indianapolis Unique

    APR 2

    Sarah Myer of Indiana Sports Corp on What Makes Indianapolis Unique

    Sarah Myer has spent her career turning Indianapolis into a destination, and she is not done yet. As Senior Director of Communications and Marketing at Indiana Sports Corp, she helped execute the 2021 NCAA Men's Tournament bubble, led the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium, and is now building toward the 2026 Men's Final Four and beyond. Myer traces her path from a Cleveland suburb to Butler University, where a professor handed her a $30-per-game rooftop camera job with the Indianapolis Indians and opened her eyes to what the city could offer. She talks about interning with the Indiana Pacers during the 2004 brawl, marketing the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra through a financial crisis, and what those hard seasons taught her about crisis communications, self-advocacy, and resilience. She also speaks candidly about personal loss in 2020, the grief that followed, and how a November phone call about hosting the entire NCAA Tournament gave her something to pour herself into. The conversation covers what makes Indianapolis's local organizing committee model unique, why the city is pursuing an NFL Draft bid for 2030, and what fans can expect for free at the 2026 Men's Final Four on American Legion Mall. Myer closes with three words she would give any young professional: be curious, be humble, and do not be a jerk.

    58 min
  3. USA Gymnastics CEO Kyle Albrecht on the Road to the 2028 LA Olympics and Hoosier Hospitality

    MAR 19

    USA Gymnastics CEO Kyle Albrecht on the Road to the 2028 LA Olympics and Hoosier Hospitality

    Kyle Albrecht, the new president and CEO of USA Gymnastics, joins Talent Scout to discuss his path from playing Division I soccer at George Washington University to leading one of the country's most prominent Olympic sports organizations. Albrecht shares his career journey through Under Armour, Major League Soccer and now USA Gymnastics, his vision for growing the sport ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and the planned national Training Wellness Center in Noblesville, Indiana.

    47 min
  4. Indy Chamber’s Blaine Zimmerman on Talent Attraction, Veterans and Telling Indy’s Story

    MAR 5

    Indy Chamber’s Blaine Zimmerman on Talent Attraction, Veterans and Telling Indy’s Story

    On this episode of Talent Scout, host Dave Neff talks with Blaine Zimmerman, chief talent and marketing officer for the Indy Chamber, about the experiences that shaped him and the work he is leading across the region. Zimmerman reflects on growing up in Tipton and Cicero, the influence of his great-grandfather Gene Fox, and running track and cross country at Indiana State. He shares why he left college early to join the Army, what life looked like as an infantryman with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and how that transition eventually led him into talent work focused on helping veterans build civilian careers. He explains how InVets grew its reach by building trust with military bases and hosting virtual resume, networking and LinkedIn training with employers. At the Indy Chamber, Zimmerman outlines priorities tied to economic development, telling Indianapolis’ story, and attracting and retaining talent, including efforts to better connect college students and interns with the city. He also discusses apprenticeships, the “I’m Not Done Yet” message, Speed City, and why mentorship and saying yes opened doors in Indianapolis, closing with his definition of success: the ripples you create by helping others.

    46 min
  5. Emily Poff on saying yes, staying curious, and earning bigger roles

    FEB 19

    Emily Poff on saying yes, staying curious, and earning bigger roles

    Emily Poff joins Dave Neff to talk about her promotion to vice president of operations at Prolific and the career path that took her from New Castle to nonprofit leadership and into business operations. She shares how faith and community shaped her early years, why she studied political science and nonprofit management at Olivet Nazarene University, and what she learned working at United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties and the Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce. Poff also breaks down Prolific’s portfolio companies, credits Brad Benbow as a key mentor, and explains what she gained from earning her MBA at Butler University and her Society for Human Resource Management certification.

    41 min
  6. From Westfield to the NFL: Colts kicker Spencer Shrader’s unlikely football journey

    FEB 5

    From Westfield to the NFL: Colts kicker Spencer Shrader’s unlikely football journey

    Indianapolis Colts placekicker Spencer Shrader talks with Dave Neff about his unique journey from Westfield, Indiana, and homeschool roots to pursuing pro soccer in Brazil and Canada before switching to football in his senior year of high school. Shrader explains walking on at South Florida, earning a scholarship, transferring to Notre Dame and how faith and embracing discomfort shaped his decisions. He shares insights on playing under coach Marcus Freeman, thriving through setbacks, and navigating the NFL as an undrafted free agent with stops on the Colts, Jets and Chiefs before returning to Indianapolis. Shrader reflects on resilience during injury recovery and offers advice for young athletes on competing with yourself and defining success.

    49 min
  7. Addison “A.T.” Simpson on Indianapolis Roots, Purdue Football, and Building in the LEAP District

    JAN 22

    Addison “A.T.” Simpson on Indianapolis Roots, Purdue Football, and Building in the LEAP District

    Addison “A.T.” Simpson joins Talent Scout to talk about growing up on Indianapolis’ east side, the family legacy that shaped him, and why he believes Indy is worth the investment. Simpson reflects on his path from Cathedral High School to Purdue football under Joe Tiller, including lessons in discipline, leadership, and a winning mindset from the Drew Brees era. He also shares his career journey from the Hoosier Lottery to medical device sales, then into entrepreneurship in construction, before stepping into his current role as a regional manager with McFarland Construction. Simpson discusses bringing McFarland’s community-focused approach to Indiana, the joint venture work connected to the LEAP District, and why mentorship, relationships, and accessible leadership matter for the city’s future.

    48 min
  8. Whittney Parkinson on Building a Design Business With Boundaries

    JAN 8

    Whittney Parkinson on Building a Design Business With Boundaries

    Whittney Parkinson, owner of Whittney Parkinson Design, joins host Dave Neff on Talent Scout to share her path from growing up in Kokomo to leading a small, high-end design firm in Indiana. Parkinson talks about learning business by watching her parents build their companies, studying art and illustration, and pivoting from Ringling School of Art and Design to interior design in Chicago. She explains how working with her father after the 2008-09 financial crisis shaped her fast, hands-on approach, and why psychology classes helped her manage clients, personalities and high-emotion projects. Parkinson also discusses launching her firm in 2016, setting strict boundaries as a mother of three, vetting clients, and focusing on full home renovations and new builds, often in the Meridian Kessler, Meridian Hills, Carmel and Zionsville areas.

    42 min
See All (18)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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 Prolific, the Growth Firm.

Information

More From IBJ Media Podcast Network

You Might Also Like