Brian Payne, president and CEO of Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) and The Indianapolis Foundation, will address corporate leaders at the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) on March 14. An acclaimed international speaker and the engine behind numerous initiatives to propel Indianapolis as a premier destination in the nation, Payne will center the presentation around his theme of attracting and retaining creative and community-minded people to Central Indiana.
For the past 16 years, Payne has worked tirelessly toward CICF’s mission to inspire, support and practice philanthropy, leadership and service in the greater Indianapolis community. He is the founder of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail – the $63 million, eight-mile bicycle and pedestrian pathway that connects the downtown arts, cultural, heritage, sports and entertainment venues. Before joining CICF, Payne was managing director of the IRT, growing its audience while increasing the theater’s community and educational programs. He also spearheaded fundraising efforts for its large-scale restoration project in the late 1990s. Payne’s latest project, the “No Mean City” campaign, was initiated as a challenge by former Mayor Greg Ballard to draw more people to Indianapolis by showcasing the city’s unique quality-of-life aspects.
The March 14 event is part of the “Breakfast Series” – a partnership between Frost Brown Todd and the IRT, featuring community leaders who share their ideas on how to build upon and expand civic leadership in the city. The series has spotlighted leaders such as Ryan Vaughn, president of the Indiana Sports Corp., Steve Walker of Walker Information and Linda Kirby of Leadership Indianapolis. For more information, including details on how to register, contact Cory Weicht at cweicht@fbtlaw.com.