The Leading Edge - January 2026
BOLD Academy
Building Smart, Strong & BOLD Leaders is a new week-long summer leadership experience designed for incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students. Offered in June 2026 at Endress+Hauser in Greenwood, the academy focuses on helping students build confidence, communication skills, teamwork, and decision-making at a critical stage of development. Participants will take part in interactive, hands-on activities that encourage them to step outside their comfort zones in a supportive environment, while also learning what it means to be an engaged and responsible member of their community. Each session includes a STEM-based activity, giving students exposure to innovation, technology, and problem-solving.
Students may register for one of two sessions, taking place June 8–12 or June 15–19, 2026. The cost is $295 per student, and space is limited. Registration is now open and spots are expected to fill quickly. BOLD Academy is proudly sponsored by Duke Energy and Baird – The 3C Group. To learn more or register, visit leadershipjohnsoncounty.org.
The inaugural class of BOLD Academy with a guest speaker following a leadership session on discovering personal strengths and weaknesses, as students begin building confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills in a supportive classroom setting.
Spotlight on a few of the YLA Class of 2026 members who sorted over 1,400 cereal boxes for the Good Cheer baskets.
Applications are now open for Leadership Johnson County’s Youth Leadership Academy, a five-month program that helps high school students grow as leaders while learning more about their
community. Open to current Johnson County sophomores and juniors, the program includes hands-on experiences, connections with local leaders, and a required opening retreat in July.
Families can learn more by visiting the website or by attending the Information Session on February 24 at 6:00 p.m. At the Franklin Branch of the Johnson County Public Library.
The Deadline for applications is March 15 at midnight.
Scan the QR code to apply
Spotlight on some of the members of the Signature Class of 2026
Hollie McKibben
Endress+Hauser
Executive Assistant
Hollie identified her “super power” as being very
good at remembering names and small details.
She resides in Bargersville, IN, and her favorite
restaurant is Tried and True Alehouse.
Rose Myers
Pilsung ATA Martial Arts
Owner/Master Instructor
Rose’s “super power” is caring for others. She
resides in Center Grove, and her favorite restaurant
is 1823 Bakehouse (for those looking for gluten-free
spots).
Brittany Winters
Winters Plumbing
Office Manager
Brittany shared her “super power” is finding places
for everything - her organization. She resides in Old
Town Greenwood, and her favorite restaurant is La
Rosa Mexican.
Teresa Harwood
Harwood Commercial
Group/KW Commercial
Commercial Real Estate Agent
Teresa identified her “super power” as providing calm direction and alignment in complex situations. She resides in downtown Greenwood, and her favorite restaurant is Revery.
Jessica Robertson
NSK Precision America
Environmental Health & Safety Manager
Jessica lives in downtown Franklin. Her favorite restaurant is Greek’s Pizza, and she enjoys collecting rare plants, backpacking, and traveling.
Dr. Ruby Butler
Clark-Pleasant Community
School Corporation Administrator
Ruby’s “super power” is joy. She identified audibles as a hobby she enjoys, and lives in Greenwood.
Leadership Johnson County Class of 2025-2026
Elle Augsburger Huntington National Bank
Melissa Ball NSK Corporation
Mark Baranko Indianapolis Fire Department
Justin Brownfield Whiteland Community High School
Laura Buchanan AccuPay
Ruby Butler Clark-Pleasant Community School Corporation
Tamara Carpenter Carpenter Estate and Elder Law, LLC
Hank Clifton Edward Jones
Rachel Cline Center Grove Community School Corporation
Julie Cooper Prime IV Hydration and Wellness
Nikol Cummings Carter Establishments
David Ellis David Weekley Homes
Glenn Faris Franklin Heritage, Inc.
Bryan Gregg Town of Trafalgar
Jennifer Hagner Bayberry Spa
Ashley Handy CarDon & Associates
John Hardwick IU Credit Union
Teresa Harwood Harwood Commercial Group/KW Commercial
Stacy Hirtz Barrett and Stokley
Lacey Holstein AccuPay
Nicole Lacy Endress+Hauser
Deidre McCartney Tara Treatment Center
Hollie McKibben Endress+Hauser
Andy Meyer JC REMC
Jaycie Miller Johnson County Health Department
Allison Molitor Center Grove Community School Corporation
Shari Monroe Community Health Network
Hayley Mordecai Hurricane Community Church
Joe Morris Johnson County Community Foundation
Rose Myers Pilsung ATA Martial Arts
Marcy Renken Orchestrated Performance
Antonina Ries Ivy Tech Community College
Jessica Robertson NSK Precision America
Kevin Rockey Edinburgh Community School Corporation
Alexander Stirling Radwell International
Phil Strack J.S. Held, LLC
Alan Sundheimer Process Alliance
Alyvia Sundheimer Process Alliance
Erik Van Dyck Forvia Clean Mobility
Michael Wade Community Volunteer
Mike Wiggin X2 Networks – Simpl. Global
April Windisch Johnson County Public Library
Brittany Winters Winters Plumbing
Megan Yeagy Grafton Peek Social Hall
Michael Zafiroff Reis Nichols Jewelers
