Taylor Schaffer is the President and CEO of Downtown Indy, Inc., a nonprofit civic organization focused on the cleanliness, safety, and vibrancy of Downtown Indianapolis. She previously served in a variety of roles within city government -- most recently as Chief of Staff and Chief Deputy Mayor for Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. Before joining the Hogsett administration, Schaffer worked in the private sector developing communications, branding, and marketing strategies for clients ranging from non-profit organizations to Fortune 500 Companies. Schaffer currently serves on the board of directors for IndyGo, Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, The Athenaeum Foundation, Visit Indy, and the 2024 NBA All-Star Game Local Organizing Committee. Schaffer is a proud graduate of Indiana State University and a member of Class 44 of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series.

Spud Dick joined the Office Services division of Cushman & Wakefield in 2010 after graduating from DePauw University with a degree in economics. Since that time, Spud has specialized in assisting occupiers in the formulation of real estate strategies that align with their core business objectives. Spud has a long-standing partnership with John Crisp, and their team has consistently been the top office team in the Indianapolis market.

Jamal Smith currently serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships in Government and External Affairs at IU Health. Jamal is tasked with helping to strategically align the guiding principles of IU Health with the growing needs of our city and communities. He is also the founder of The Lead Change Project (LCP), a 501(c)(3) sports management-based non-profit that partners with urban schools and school districts to engage more youth in sport and extra-curricular activity. Jamal also served the State of Indiana as Executive Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, transitioning from his role as Governor Mitch Daniels’ Senior Advisor. Jamal graduated from Wright State University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in history. His undergraduate tenure includes a successful career as an intercollegiate basketball player. He went on to continue his education at Purdue University where he graduated in 2002 with an MS Degree in Sports Management & Athletic Administration.

As a design and community development professional, Lourenzo Giple, collaboratively works with an array of developers, neighborhood leaders, architects, and planners to develop strategic partnerships in order to improve the quality of life and elevate urban design in Indianapolis. In his current position as the Deputy Director of Planning, Preservation, and Design for the Department of Metropolitan Development, Lourenzo oversees all City planning, land use, zoning, architecture, and historic preservation approvals, as well as several monumental planning initiatives, including the comprehensive updates to the Marion County Land Use Plan and Transit-Oriented Development. Before joining the Department of Metropolitan Development, Lourenzo was a Project Director for Blackline Studio, an Architectural Designer and Project Manager for Rottmann Collier Architects, and a Project Coordinator for Deylen Realty. Lourenzo is known for his passion for moving Indianapolis forward. He serves on the Rethink 65/70 Coalition, 16 Tech Board, and BlackSpace Indy. Previously, he served on the Board of Directors for People for Urban Progress, LISC Façade Panel, and BIG CAR. He is a member of National Organization of Minority Architects and the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series (Class XLIV). Lourenzo attended Ball State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. In 2014, he received his Master of Urban Design and in 2016, he received his Master of Architecture with a concentration in Real Estate. He currently serves as an adjunct professor for Ball State University’s Master of Urban Design program.