Building Leaders Through Sports: Allison Barber and the Marvella Project

In 1972, Indiana Senator Birch Bayh co-authored Title IX, one of the most important civil rights laws in the United States. The legislation opened doors for millions of girls to participate in sports, transforming not only athletics but also the landscape of leadership.

Today, 94% of women in C-suite roles played competitive sports, showing the undeniable link between athletics and leadership development.

Now, more than fifty years later, Indiana is leading again.

The Marvella Project: A First for the Nation

The Marvella Project will be the nation’s first sports and leadership complex designed specifically for girls. Located at Fair Oaks Farms in Newton County, this $98 million development is projected to create 1,000 new jobs and attract visitors from across the country. More importantly, it will serve as a hub for empowering girls ages 12 and up through:

• Athletics – World-class training facilities for volleyball, basketball, soccer, and more
• Leadership – Programs to help young women build confidence and develop critical skills
• Wellness – Support for mental health, nutrition, and holistic growth
• History – A women’s sports tribute museum honoring Indiana’s role as the birthplace of Title IX

Named for Marvella Bayh, the late wife of Senator Bayh who was denied a college admission because of her gender, the project brings her story full circle by ensuring future generations of girls will have opportunities she never received.

Allison Barber: Champion for Women and Sports

Leading this vision is Dr. Allison Barber, former President of the Indiana Fever and current Chair of the Marvella Foundation. Barber’s career has taken her from a classroom in Merrillville to the White House and Pentagon, to the Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. She has consistently worked to open doors for others, and now she is determined to make Indiana the epicenter for girls’ sports and leadership development.

In a recent conversation on the Get Indiana Podcast, Barber shared how the Caitlin Clark effect has boosted women’s sports and why Marvella will be a game-changer for both Indiana and the nation. “By investing in these young women, we are investing in the future of our communities,” she said.

Philanthropy at Work in Rural Indiana

The Marvella Project is possible thanks to visionary philanthropy and public-private partnerships. IPA member Jasper Newton Foundation is playing a critical role as a local fiscal sponsor, helping channel regional and statewide funding into the project. Their involvement ensures that rural Northwest Indiana communities benefit directly from the jobs, tourism, and opportunities Marvella will bring.

This collaboration reflects the best of philanthropy: aligning local leadership, statewide vision, and national momentum to create lasting change.

Hear More at the Philanthropy Leads Dinner

On October 22, the Philanthropy Leads Dinner will spotlight this bold vision for Indiana’s future. Dr. Allison Barber will share the story of Marvella in a fireside chat on building community through sports, alongside Mark Miles, CEO of IndyCar and Penske Entertainment. The evening will also feature Indiana First Lady Maureen Braun, champion of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, and celebrate the 2025 Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute graduates, honored by John M. Mutz.

Hosted at the historic Indiana Roof Ballroom, the Philanthropy Leads Dinner is Indiana’s most anticipated night in philanthropy, bringing together hundreds of leaders from business, philanthropy, and public service.

👉 Reserve your seat today and be part of the conversation shaping Indiana’s future.