Lauren James is the Executive Director for the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation (MDLF), an Indiana based non-profit with a mission to “Enable leaders. Drive change.” The vision for MDLF is to develop a statewide network of change agents, actively working to make Indiana the best place to build a future.

Lauren graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ball State University (BSU) in 2011 where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning and Development and was named the American Institute of Certified Planners Outstanding Student and the John R. Emens Outstanding Senior Scholar. Upon graduation, she received a Fulbright Scholarship to serve as a cultural ambassador and to teach English at the University of Wrocław in Poland. Lauren was named the 2018 BSU Graduate of the Last Decade and the 2020 College of Architecture and Planning Graduate of the Last Decade in recognition of her outstanding community accomplishments and professional endeavors.

Presently, Lauren’s passion for making a positive place impact extends to her board positions which include: United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) where she serves on the Executive Committee and is the 2021-2022 Community Engagement Committee Co-Chair, the Indiana Repertory Theatre where she chairs the Governance Committee and BSU’s Discovery Women’s Philanthropic Leadership Group where she chairs the Membership Committee. She’s been a Make-A-Wish Wish Granter for 18 children and serves on BSU’s Urban Planning Alumni Advisory Board and is Vice-Chair for IU Health’s annual fundraiser, REV.