For over 25 years, the Orr Fellowship has had the mission to recruit and develop the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs. With an alumni network of over 650 people, the Mark and Karen Hill Alumni Reception serves as a focal point for connecting alumni and current fellows in an evening full of celebration. It is the perfect time to reflect on a few alumni who have been advocates of the Orr Fellowship and are continuing to make a difference in the Indianapolis community. These alumni have held close the values that Orr is built on – community, commitment, career, and continued learning. Listening to their stories highlighted how interconnected each of the four C’s are to current Orr Fellows and alumni.
Kate Broshears, Class of 2010, shared a meaningful toast to Orr Fellowship at the Mark & Karen Hill event. However, her impact on Orr Fellowship reaches far beyond the night. Her class of 20 Fellows were close-knit, having monthly potluck dinners and integrating into the Indianapolis community. Over the years, she has remained connected to Orr by serving as a board member, helping start the Alumni Advisory Council, hosting Fellows as a partner company executive, and engaging in community leadership activities. Kate also shared that being community-oriented led her to choose her dual masters program – MBA and Sports Administration – at Ohio University. The master’s program she pursued emphasized a lifelong commitment to giving back and building the next generation of leaders, blending community with continued learning. One of the many pieces of wisdom she shared is, “Growth often happens when you are uncomfortable.” Finally, she shared that at this year’s Mark & Karen Hill event, her class created a group chat to stay better connected with each other! Even after 15 years, the Orr community and the connections they built continue to prove valuable.
Zayna Abu-Salih, Class of 2022, recalled how she’s been impacted by all four of the C’s, but she resonates most with community and continued learning. She first felt Orr’s strong sense of community before applying, thanks to the mentorship and support she received from a school lead recruiter and current fellow. That connection gave her insight into what the program truly offered, and it only deepened once she joined. When it comes to continued learning, Zayna shared, “The skills I learned throughout Orr helped me navigate the post-fellowship work life. I’ve become a more well-versed employee, better at communicating and navigating a workplace in a professional manner, and I look for ways to always stay connected to peers in the community outside of my immediate organization.” Continued learning, she explained, doesn’t end with Orr, it’s something you carry forward throughout your entire career. Orr and its partner companies invest deeply in fellows’ growth, and for Zayna, that investment has continued to pay off.
Colton Haymon, Class of 2020, says he resonated with the community “C” of Orr, especially since the beginning of his experience was at the start of the pandemic. Once people were able to meet in person again, he shared that there was an eagerness to connect with others. This skill has transcended beyond just building meaningful relationships. It has also provided Colton the opportunity to develop skills that have become daily experiences within his career. Community has allowed his career to flourish! He mentioned how sharing entrepreneurial like-mindedness with his peers was a reason he has stayed so involved. For new fellows, he advised, “Go to coffee chats.” It is neat to see the impact that a cup of coffee and a conversation can have on a life. Colton found that effort and focus dedicated to growing connections can help anyone see their career and community reach places they never imagined.
Sean O’Dell, Class of 2021, most strongly connected with the pillar of career. His journey with Orr began while interning at Haven Technologies, an Orr partner company, where he was introduced to the Fellowship by alumni Eric Murphy and Taylor Amon. After completing his two years in the Fellowship at Haven, Sean accepted a role as an air service development analyst with the Indianapolis Airport Authority. He credits much of his success to the professional foundation Orr gave him. Equally valuable, he said, was the networking experience the Fellowship provided. When asked what advice he would offer current fellows, Sean said it best: “You will get out of Orr Fellowship what you put into it, and there is so much to be gained from the experience. Get to know your fellow Fellows, get up a little earlier to have that coffee chat, and attend that event after work. Reach out to alumni, jump into a team you’re interested in, and take advantage of the incredible opportunities you will be afforded over the next two years.”
Jordan Easley, Class of 2013, has been a meaningful member of the Indianapolis community since becoming an Orr fellow just over 10 years ago. Community has been integral in his life, not only in Orr but beyond. While he was in the Orr Fellowship, Jordan was a member of the Fellowship of the Fellowship, served on the committee that organized business speakers, and helped the recruitment committee implement Salesforce into the recruitment process. Outside of Orr, he made a commitment to Indianapolis and the community he established. Jordan shared that Orr got him excited about Indy, and his faith community allowed him to get involved through civic engagement or simply putting action behind his passions. He still gets together with three of his friends from Orr on a monthly basis. When asked for one piece of advice, he said “Don’t focus on the job title or money, but the experience and skillsets you develop,” and “Ask the question, how can I contribute?” His commitment to Orr Fellowship and the experience it provides helps prove that leaning in fully will breed something beautiful.
Nate Spangle, Class of 2019, found commitment to be his biggest takeaway from Orr. His deep commitment to Indiana has still shown up in his daily life and career. Regarding his dedication to the program and the state itself, he shared, “Learning early in my career to stick it out and honor my commitment has paid off in dividends! Indiana is a place that rewards those who keep their word, and my career thus far is a testament to that. Grateful that Orr Fellowship instilled that early on.” Today, Nate is the host of his own podcast showcasing Indiana-based entrepreneurs. His platform showcases a commitment to small business owners and a passion for learning from those who have built something meaningful from the ground up.
All their individual stories highlight that the Orr Fellowship C’s create meaningful impact, both in present Orr Fellows and alumni. Each alumni acknowledged that no one can do it all, but found comfort in knowing that they were surrounded by others navigating the same post-grad transitions such as settling into full-time roles, building work-life balance, and finding their place.
The stories of the people highlighted are not the only ones like this. On July 17th, current Orr Fellows and alumni gathered together to share their stories, network, and be a part of something greater than themselves. Mark & Karen Hill highlighted each of the four C’s throughout the various aspects of the night. Commitment – taking the time to invest in the Orr Fellowship. Career – networking with current fellows, alumni, and some partner companies. Continued learning – hearing the stories of the fellowship, gaining advice from alumni, and taking in wisdom from Joe Reitz on how to “W.I.N. the Day”. Finally, community – gathering together in a meaningful way. Mark & Karen Hill will always be a cornerstone of the Orr Fellowship, emphasizing its meaning and continued positive impact.
