Lauren James
Executive Director
Lauren, an inaugural MDLF Fellow in 2016, graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2011 with a Degree in Urban Planning & Development from Ball State University and upon graduation received a Fulbright Scholarship to Poland as a cultural and educational ambassador. James returned to Indiana in 2012 as a “Hoosier by Choice” to pay forward the mentorship and investments she received with the dream of making a positive place-impact on the state of Indiana. She spent her early career at the Indianapolis Colts, ExactTarget/Salesforce and most recently at TechPoint.
Presently, Lauren’s priority focus areas focus on building a pipeline of Hoosier leaders, making a positive place impact and solving for poverty. These passions extend to her board positions with United Way of Central Indiana, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Orr Fellowship and Women of Beneficence at Ball State University.
In honor of her philanthropic commitment and volunteerism, Lauren has been recognized as a 2013 IMPACT Award Recipient, 2013 Indiana Emerging Leader, 2016 Inaugural MDLF Fellow, 2017 Junior Achievement of Central Indiana Best & Brightest Finalist, 2017 Make-A-Wish Women Inspiring Strength and Hope Honoree, 2018 Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series Class XLIII Participant, 2018 BSU Graduate of the Last Decade, 2019 UWCI Elevate Award Winner, 2020 College of Architecture and Planning Graduate of the Last Decade, 2021 Indianapolis Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honoree and in 2023 was named a Woman of Influence by the IBJ.
Lauren lives in Noblesville with her husband, Dr. Luke James, and their golden-doodle, Champ.
Erin Lucas
Development DIRECTOR
Erin attended Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and received a bachelor’s in Business Administration before obtaining her MBA from Indiana State University. Early in her career, she spent nearly a decade organizing special events, directing fundraising and coordinating community relations for U.S. Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. In 2021, her family moved to Northern Indiana while her husband was in his Sports Medicine Fellowship with South Bend - Notre Dame. While there, she spent an impactful year working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County as their Assistant Director of Development and Advocacy. Most recently, Erin worked in Community Relations for Hendricks Regional Health engaging with community partners and fostering a relationship of philanthropy and support through financial giving and volunteerism in the community.
Currently, Erin serves as Vice Chair of the Indiana Republican Party, on the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Alumni Board of Directors, the Indiana Federation of Republican Women and the Hendricks County Bicentennial Committee.
She is a proud graduate of the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series, Leadership Hendricks County, Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, Member of the Junior League of Indianapolis, graduate of the Hoosier Leadership Series, and served as a youth group leader at church.
Married to her high school sweetheart, Erin and her husband Tyler reside in Hendricks County with their two daughters Norah and Amelia. She loves spending time with her family, attending political events, and trying new restaurants, coffee shops and breweries.
Kelsey Cook
Membership DIRECTOR
Kelsey attended IUPUI and received a bachelor’s degree in Media and Public Affairs in May 2019. Kelsey joined the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation team as Membership Director in January 2023. Here she manages the MDLF Fellowship, Aiming Higher Series and membership. Previously, Kelsey served as Assistant to the President & Project Manager at Hathaway Strategies where she facilitated the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series and was also responsible for scheduling, project management, digital media and event planning.
She is passionate about contributing to her community and is working to become an impactful leader. She was a member of the 33rd “Lugar Series” class and the fifth Columbian Community Impact Program class. She is actively engaged with the Alzheimer’s Association, Bread for the World, Young Professionals of Central Indiana, Pass the Torch for Women Foundation, The Lugar Series, Marion County Young Republicans and Indianapolis Downtown GOP Club.
Kelsey’s true passion in life is health and wellness and her goal is to help Indiana become a healthier state one individual at a time. She launched her own business KC & Co. in 2023 where she offers nutrition, fitness and wellness coaching. She is also a group fitness instructor teaching Pilates at The Hot Room.
In her free time, she enjoys listening to entrepreneurship and health podcasts on a walk in Downtown Indy with an iced coffee in hand!
Brian McGrath
OUtreach Advisor
Brian serves as vice president of external relations for EdChoice. In this capacity, Brian develops resources and partnerships that support EdChoice’s nationwide efforts to promote educational choice for all children. He also is an integral part of the MDLF staff. In his advisory capacity with MDLF, Brian helps our staff develop and maintain connections with our broader MDLF network.
Neil Pickett
mdlf case study author & advisor
Neil Pickett is the principal of NCP Consulting, LLC, a small consulting company specializing in the delivery of strategic and executive communications, advocacy materials, policy research papers, and strategic planning support for public and private sector organizations. Mr. Pickett retired from IU Health at the end of 2023 after 14 year with the health system.
From 2017-2023, Mr. Pickett served as Vice President and Deputy Chief of Staff at Indiana University Health, the largest health system in Indiana. Prior roles at IU Health include serving as IU Health’s Executive Director for Strategy, Policy and Market Analytics, Director of Policy & Planning, Chief of Staff of the IU Health Accountable Care Organization and leading IU Health’s Community Outreach and Engagement team.
Prior to joining IU Health, Mr. Pickett served for four years as Senior Policy Director in the Office of Indiana Governor Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. Mr. Pickett was responsible for the development and implementation of the Governor’s policy and legislative agendas, as well as for managing liaison activities between the Governor’s Office and the Executive Branch agencies. He also served as the Governor’s liaison to Indiana’s colleges and universities, and was director of the state’s Information for Indiana data project.
Before joining the Governor’s office, Mr. Pickett worked for 10 years at Eli Lilly and Company, the Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical company and before joining Lilly in 1995, Mr. Pickett worked at the Hudson Institute, a public policy research organization, or “think tank.” Mr. Pickett began his career at Hudson as research assistant to the Institute’s founder, Herman Kahn, and then served in a number of research and research management positions, culminating in his appointment as Hudson’s Director of Research in 1992. Before joining Hudson, Mr. Pickett spent two years working as a journalist for the New Republic and the National Law Journal.
Mr. Pickett holds a B.A. (summa cum laude) from Brandeis University, and an M. Phil. in International Politics and Economics from Oxford University (St. Antony’s College). He has also studied at the Sorbonne in Paris. Mr. Pickett has served as a member of the Indiana State Board of Education (2009-2012), and as a member of the Indiana Career Council (2012-2015). Since 2016 he has been a member of the Indiana Education Employment Review Board and currently serves as Board chair.