Class VIII Blog Post: Progress is Built on Respect

Joe Pellman is the product of what happens when you mix civic engagement, professional wrestling, and Dr Pepper. As the leader of Talent and Image initiatives at the Indy Chamber, Joe is tasked with managing the strategy and development of the LifeInIndy.com lifestyle blog, a network of local ambassadors called Indyfluencers built to connect with prospective residents, as well as branding and storytelling efforts that share Indy with the world. His career background includes previous experience in business and politics, serving in marketing and management roles in Indianapolis and his native state of Ohio. Joe lives with his wife Jessica and son Finn in Meridian Kessler, a wonderful midtown neighborhood just north of downtown Indianapolis.

"You may not like me, but I like you."

It wasn’t the takeaway I expected from MDLF Fellowship Class VIII’s session on Indiana’s economy, but once Hoosier civic and business leader Eric Doden shared this sentiment, I couldn’t shake it. His point was clear: meaningful progress requires tough decisions, and disagreement is inevitable. But if we’re committed to growth, we have to learn to disagree with respect.

That idea stuck with me as we explored Indiana’s economic landscape—a diverse, complex mix of industries, talent, and communities of every size and shape. The conversation took place at Fort Wayne’s Electric Works, an inspiring symbol of revitalization and possibility. And if there was one unifying message, it was this: Indiana’s future prosperity will require collaboration, courage, and yes—constructive conflict.

Tom Guevara of the IU Public Policy Institute opened the session with some hard truths. Indiana’s economy is heavily reliant on manufacturing, leaving us more vulnerable to market disruptions than more diversified states. Only nine counties are projected to outpace national population growth by 2050. And our state lags behind in bachelor’s degree attainment.

Still, there’s momentum. Our population centers are growing. Productivity is rising. The question is: how do we keep moving forward?

Salena Scardina of HeroCX emphasized the power of storytelling to attract new opportunities and build awareness. John Urbahns of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. and Stephane Frijia of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership stressed the importance of streamlining entrepreneurial support and opening larger contracts to smaller, local firms. Tom Guevara reminded us that economic development is both a process and an outcome. And leaders like Paul Okeson (Garmong Construction), Todd Davis (Indiana Farm Bureau), and Ryan Christner (OrthoWorx) called for policies that accelerate innovation across industries.

Whatever the strategy, one principle must guide us: progress is built on respect—even when we disagree.

MDLF Fellowship Class VIII at Electric Works in Fort Wayne, IN for their first “State of the Economy” class day.