Shows
Luminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative LeadershipGrowing with Westfield: Leadership, Legacy and the Power of CommunityIn this episode of Luminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership, host Sarah Hempstead sits down with Matthew Deck, Director of Facilities and Events for the City of Westfield, Indiana and Audra Blasdel, Waypoint Strategies Division Lead.Deck shares how his deep-rooted love for community, inspired by his mother and mentors like former mayor Andy Cook, has shaped his leadership journey. From overseeing Grand Park—one of the largest sports complexes in the U.S.—to planning community-defining events and fostering a culture of service, Deck speaks candidly about the values that drive him. He reflects on pers...
2025-07-1629 minLuminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative LeadershipEpisode 30: Beyond the Classroom: The Future of Learning and Leadership with Mike SpringerIn this inspiring episode of Luminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership, Sarah Hempstead sits down with Mike Springer, Superintendent of Norwell Community Schools, to explore his remarkable 30-year journey in education. From his humble beginnings on a farm in Illinois to leading transformative educational initiatives, Mike shares lessons on leadership, resilience, and the power of student-centered learning.Key Highlights from the Episode:Early Roots in LeadershipMike reflects on how his upbringing on a farm instilled a strong work ethic, teamwork, and resilience—values that shaped his career in education.Engaging St...
2025-01-1531 minLuminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative LeadershipLuminate: Building Communities with Vop Osili – From Architecture to AdvocacyIn this inspiring episode of Luminate, Sarah Hempstead, CEO and Principal-in-Charge at Schmidt Associates, sits down with Vop Osili, President of the Indianapolis City-County Council. Vop shares his extraordinary journey from a childhood shaped by his Nigerian heritage and Indianapolis roots to his impactful career in architecture, urban design, and public service.Discover how his parents’ legacy of resilience and service influenced his mission to champion inclusive urban development, equity in governance, and bipartisan collaboration. Learn about Vop’s unique nickname, "Voice of the People," his path through architecture, his experiences as a missionary, and his dedication to f...
2024-12-1129 minLuminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative LeadershipEpisode 28: Leading with Purpose – Owner-Centered Strategy and Community Impact with Audra BlasdelEpisode Introduction:Welcome to Luminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership, where we explore the journeys of visionary leaders making a difference. Today, our host, Sarah Hempstead, CEO and Principal-in-Charge at Schmidt Associates, is joined by Audra Blasdel, the Division Lead of Waypoint Strategies. With a diverse career spanning government, nonprofit, and educational organizations, Audra brings a unique perspective on leadership, community-driven project management, and servant leadership.Episode Overview:From her Indiana roots and early experiences in team-focused sports to her time managing complex projects for the Indiana Department...
2024-11-1335 minLuminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative LeadershipEpisode 11: Aster Bekele, Felege Hiywot Center, Founder and CEOAs the Founder and CEO of the Felege Hiywot Center in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood of Indianapolis, Aster Bekele emigrated to the United States from Ethiopia and brought with her a sense of community and love. A retired chemist, Bekele started the Youth Farm Initiative, established a food production space, and continues to engage partners and inner-city youth in her work. With a focus on urban farming and cultural expression, she has been teaching young people the importance of service, leadership, teamwork, and knowledge. In this episode of Luminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership with Sarah Hempstead, AIA, LEED...
2023-04-1038 min