IPA CEO Claudia Cummings, IPA Members Named to Indiana 250 List of Influential Hoosiers

Indiana Philanthropy Alliance is proud to announce that President and CEO Claudia Cummings has been named to the 2025 Indiana 250, IBJ Media’s annual list recognizing the most influential business and community leaders across the state.

Curated by the editorial teams of the Indianapolis Business Journal, Inside INdiana Business, and The Indiana Lawyer, the Indiana 250 honors decision-makers from Indiana’s nonprofit, corporate, legal, public, and education business sectors—leaders who are shaping the future of our state through vision, strategy, and action.

Since taking the helm in 2019, Claudia has guided IPA as Indiana’s leading network of philanthropic organizations. Under her leadership, IPA has become a catalyst for community problem-solving, engaging funders in all 92 counties to address complex challenges through strategic collaboration. Together, IPA’s members represent a philanthropic sector that invests more than $5 billion annually to strengthen education, health, workforce development, housing, and community well-being.

Claudia’s background—spanning executive roles in business, government, and nonprofit leadership—has made her a trusted voice and connector across sectors. Before joining IPA, she led talent and workforce initiatives at Conexus Indiana and held key roles at every level of government. She also founded the Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute, a statewide program building the next generation of philanthropic changemakers.

Celebrating Our Sector’s Collective Impact

IPA is equally proud to recognize several of our members who were honored alongside Claudia in the Indiana 250’s nonprofit and education category:

• Jennifer Bartenbach, Central Indiana Community Foundation
• Claire Fiddian-Green, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation
• Jamie Merisotis, Lumina Foundation
• N. Clay Robbins, Lilly Endowment Inc.

Their inclusion underscores the powerful role philanthropy and nonprofits play—not only in supporting Indiana’s communities, but as essential leaders in driving statewide prosperity and progress.

“I’m honored to be included in the 2025 Indiana 250 alongside so many visionary Hoosier leaders,” said Claudia. “Philanthropy is more than generosity. It’s an engine for innovation, resilience, and economic vitality. With more than $5 billion invested annually, Indiana’s philanthropic and nonprofit organizations are helping shape the future of our state. I share this recognition with the entire IPA network that makes this work possible.”

📘 Explore the full 2025 Indiana 250 list at Indiana250.com
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