President and CEO

Indiana Humanities seeks an experienced, collaborative, visionary, and service-minded leader to direct the organization into its next chapter. This role offers a rare opportunity to steward a stable, respected statewide nonprofit while continuing to evolve its impact, partnerships, and public relevance.

The president and CEO is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and strategic direction of Indiana Humanities. Working in close partnership with the board of directors and staff, the president and CEO advances the organization’s mission to promote the public humanities across Indiana, fostering learning, connection, and understanding through programs, grants, and public conversation.

The ideal candidate is an inspiring communicator, a trusted relationship builder, and a thoughtful organizational leader who values collaboration, equity, and community engagement. Like all members of the Indiana Humanities team, the president and CEO is committed to our mission and values of inclusivity, curiosity, community, creativity, and partnership.

• Lead the development and execution of the organization’s strategic plan, annual workplan, and budget in partnership with the board of directors.
• Provide clear organizational vision and direction while supporting innovation, adaptability, and long‑term sustainability.
• Work collaboratively with the board of directors to maximize effectiveness and strategic alignment of board committees.
• Maintain regular communication with board members and provide support where needed.
• Serve as a board member and an ex‑officio member of all appropriate board committees and ensure strong communication and information across governance bodies.

• Lead, support, and develop staff; establish organizational structure, role clarity, and performance expectations in a dynamic environment.
• Oversee core human resources functions such as hiring, mid‑year and annual evaluations, performance improvement for employees, and managing relationships and deliverables with external contractors.
• Collaborate with the board to establish staff compensation, including salaries and benefits.
• Foster a healthy, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture grounded in trust, accountability, and shared purpose.
• Lead and actively participate in fundraising efforts, including development of goals and strategies, prospect planning, donor cultivation, relationship stewardship, and reporting.
• Serve as Indiana Humanities’ primary spokesperson and representative with donors, partners, media, community leaders, and the public.
• Manage the relationship and engagement with the National Endowment for the Humanities, a federal agency that has historically provided operational support to Indiana Humanities and ensure compliance with the agency’s policies and guidelines.
• Promote successful relationships with a wide range of funding sources and donors.
• Coordinate with the internal development team to review grant proposals and reports as needed.

• Provide strategic oversight of programs, grants, and special initiatives.
• Ensure alignment between programs and grants and Indiana Humanities’ mission, values, and strategic priorities.
• Provide executive leadership and oversight for the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), a signature initiative housed within Indiana Humanities, supporting its strategic direction, partnerships, and long‑term sustainability.

• Represent Indiana Humanities across the state through public speaking, events, meetings, and media engagement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with civic leaders, cultural organizations, and statewide partners.
• Maintain and strengthen partnerships with state and national humanities organizations, including the Federation of State Humanities Councils.
• Meet regularly with elected officials at the federal, state, and local level to update them on Indiana Humanities’ work and the services we provide to constituents statewide through National Endowment for the Humanities funding.
• Increase the organization’s visibility, credibility, and impact…