Hoosiers honored for contributions to society
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The Indiana Society of Chicago Foundation Inc. has announced the recipients of its Hoosiers of the Year award. The four recipients range from auto racer to tech entrepreneur. The organization was founded in 1905 as a non-profit social organization that “celebrates all things Hoosier.”
“The 2022 Hoosier of the Year recipients represent those with great imagination, courage and accomplishments who have contributed so much not only to Indiana, but to our country,” said Julie Griffith, ISOCF President. “They demonstrate the best of the best, and we look forward to honoring them at the Gala.”
This year’s recipients include:
- Sarah Fisher: a 9-time Indianapolis 500 starter, a former INDYCAR owner and currently a small business entrepreneur with the founding of Indiana-based karting Facilities Whiteland Raceway Park and Speedway Indoor Karting. Fisher was also a recipient of the inaugural Indianapolis Business Journal’s Women of Influence.
- Dave Kimbell: the CEO of Chicago-based Ulta Beauty. ISOCF says under the native Hoosier’s leadership, Ulta has been awarded Forbes Best Large Employers.
- Bill Oesterle: the tech entrepreneur is probably best known for co-founding Angie’s List. He co-founded the Governor Bob Orr Indiana Entrepreneurial Fellowship to help reverse Indiana’s “brain drain.” More recently cofounded TMap, now known as MakeMyMove, a platform to help connect remote workers with communities. In April, was award TechPoint’s Trailblazer Award during the Mira Awards gala.
- Johnny Park: He serves as CEO of Wabash Heartland Innovation Network (WHIN), a consortium of 10 counties in north-central Indiana devoted to developing the region into a global epicenter of digital agriculture and next-generation manufacturing.
ISOCF will also honor Ivy Tech Community College as the Foundation’s Honored Institution of Higher Education.
The winners will be presented their awards at the 117th gala in December.