Host Company: Compendium
Current Company: Ascend Indiana
When Kate (Carrico) Broshears graduated from DePauw University in 2010 with a major in Economics, she wanted more than a standard entry-level position at a top company. Her desire to develop her personal and professional networks while exploring and engaging her hometown in a meaningful way led her to accept an offer as an Orr Fellow at Compendium. Professionally, Kate was pushed outside her comfort zone and thrust into the world of technology and product support where she learned and excelled quickly. At Compendium, she gained an appreciation for how companies approach uncertainty, solicit constant feedback from customers, and communicate organizational change. Personally, she encountered an unrivaled peer network and close friends – a group with whom still shares dinner regularly, thanks to Kate’s initiative organizing casual get-togethers. She credits the Fellowship with setting her on the path to success in her personal and professional life.
Kate appreciates the enthusiasm, passion, and dedication that Orr Fellows embody. In early 2016, she was reminded of the value of maintaining strong networks and the role that Orr Fellowship continues to play in her life, even years after completing the program. This reminder came when an Orr alumnae and dear friend of Kate’s introduced her to the co-founders of Ascend Indiana, where Kate joined shortly thereafter as the organization’s fifth employee.
At the time, Ascend was the newest initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Ascend’s vision is for Indiana to be a place of economic opportunity for all by connecting talent to careers through the Ascend Network, catalyzing transformative employer and education partnerships through Ascend Services, and generating labor market insights that enable a modern workforce ecosystem. As Vice President of Operations, Kate spends her time focusing on Ascend’s human assets, fundraising, Board of Directors, and strategic marketing and communications.
Kate navigates her personal and professional life in Indianapolis with ease, thanks to her experience as an Orr Fellow. She is passionate about community building and considers giving back to be a collective responsibility. Kate says that the incredible people are what made the experience so powerful for her. Despite it being nearly 10 years since she became a Fellow, she still stays in contact with her Fellow classmates. Her advice to current Fellows is that they soak in this amazing opportunity by finding unique ways to get involved in their new city: “Do your very best at your job, even if it’s challenging, outside your comfort zone, or not exactly what you expected. People notice your attitude.”
Kate currently serves on the Orr Fellowship Executive board, as well as the Orr Fellowship Alumni Advisory board.