Meet the 2026 MDLF Award Recipients
Former Lilly CEO Dr. John Lechleiter and Civic Leader Sarah Lechleiter to Receive the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation’s 2026 Daniels Prize Award
Casey Crouse and Scott Massey also recognized for turning bold ideas into measurable impact across Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS — The Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation will honor four Hoosier leaders whose work has strengthened Indiana through business, philanthropy, innovation, and service at its Annual Event at the Indiana State Museum on Thursday, September 10, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Former Eli Lilly and Company Chairman and CEO Dr. John Lechleiter and civic and philanthropic leader Sarah Lechleiter will receive the 2026 Daniels Prize, MDLF’s highest honor. Casey Crouse, founder and executive director of New Shoe Day, will receive the Driving Change Award, and the privately held agri-tech startup Anu founder and CEO Scott Massey will be recognized as the Class VIII Outstanding Fellow.
The public is invited to attend. Tickets and event information can be found here: 2026 MDLF Annual Event — Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation
Dr. John and Sarah Lechleiter: 2026 Daniels Prize
The Daniels Prize recognizes Hoosiers whose life’s work has “lifted the State to a new plane of thought, aspiration, expectation, and action,” reflecting the leadership of Indiana’s 49th governor, Mitch Daniels.
Dr. John Lechleiter spent more than 37 years at Eli Lilly and Company, beginning as an organic chemist and ultimately serving as president and CEO and chairman of the board. His leadership helped advance scientific innovation, strengthen Indiana's life sciences sector, and expand economic opportunity and community investment.
Sarah Lechleiter has provided significant leadership to Indiana's arts, cultural, philanthropic, and nonprofit institutions. In addition to serving on the board of Newfields and as an emeritus board member of the Indiana Repertory Theatre, she helped found and chaired what is now United Way of Central Indiana's Women United and has served and supported numerous civic organizations throughout Indiana. Together, the Lechleiters have spent decades strengthening Indiana's civic and philanthropic landscape. In recognition of their shared commitment to community service, they jointly received the Charles L. Whistler Award for service to the Indianapolis community in 2016, and in 2017 were each awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Eric Holcomb.
MDLF Board Chair Steve Schultz shared, “John and Sarah Lechleiter represent an exceptional combination of private-sector leadership, civic commitment, and generosity. John’s leadership at Lilly helped strengthen one of Indiana’s most important institutions while advancing scientific research, economic opportunity, and the state’s position in the life sciences. Sarah’s service has made a lasting impact on Indiana’s arts, cultural, and nonprofit communities. Together, they have demonstrated the kind of corporate citizenship and enduring commitment to Indiana that the Daniels Prize was created to recognize.”
The Lechleiters join past recipients Mickey Maurer, John Mutz, Teresa Lubbers, Bill Oesterle, Scott Dorsey, James Morris, and Tim Solso.
"We are honored and humbled to receive this recognition from the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation," said John and Sarah Lechleiter. "Indiana has been a wonderful home for us and our family for nearly 47 years, and we are grateful for the opportunity to give back to the communities that have given us so much."
Casey Crouse: Driving Change Award
Class VII Fellow Casey Crouse transformed his Fellowship Capstone into New Shoe Day, one of Indiana’s fastest-growing nonprofits. The organization has distributed more than 14,000 pairs of new shoes to children across 12 counties, established 14 community shoe pantries, and expects to provide more than 10,000 pairs in 2026.
“Casey identified a simple problem with profound consequences and created a solution with extraordinary impact,” said MDLF Fellowship Chair Maureen Weber. “His work is changing thousands of young lives, one pair of shoes at a time.”
Scott Massey: Class VIII Outstanding Fellow
Scott Massey of Evansville, Indiana will be recognized for his leadership during the MDLF Fellowship and for his Capstone initiative, Nurturing Hoosier Hearts and Minds: From Cradle to Career. The initiative convened leaders in agriculture, healthcare, education, workforce development, and business to advance Food is Medicine solutions. His work has helped secure $1 million in federal grant funding and position Indiana at the forefront of agricultural and health innovation.
“Scott embodies the very best of the Fellowship,” Weber said. “He brings people and sectors together to turn innovative ideas into meaningful statewide action.”
All four honorees will be recognized at the MDLF Annual Event on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the Indiana State Museum. For tickets and additional information, visit www.mdlfindiana.org.
About the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation
The Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation enables leaders and drives change in Indiana, building a statewide network of bold, pragmatic leaders committed to making Indiana the best place to build a future.
