Events Listed As Speakers

For more than 20 years James Rooney has developed, launched, and led social impact and sustainability strategies and initiatives for domestic and international companies. James currently serves as the first head of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy for Olo, a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform for the restaurant industry. Before that, James was the first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) leader for Dick’s Sporting Goods, the first Executive Director for the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation, and spent nearly a decade with Microsoft Philanthropies where he lead a variety of global technology, humanitarian response, and community programs. James graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelors of Arts in English and a minor in Journalism and earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. He also holds a Sustainable Business Certificate from Presidio Graduate School and an Impact Reporting & Measurement for the SDGs Certificate from Duke University.

Jennifer Wiese is a mother of four boys with dietary needs. When her eldest son was diagnosed with autism at the age of 8, she discovered that following a gluten- and casein-free diet helped him be a happier, thriving little boy. The hitch was that the gluten-free foods available on grocery store shelves were dry, bland, and very expensive. Jennifer started BeeFree in January 2010 from the desire to feed her kids foods that fit their dietary needs and still tasted great. BeeFree is committed to bringing great tasting treats to anyone while sticking to their gluten, grain, and dairy-free standards. BeeFree is owned and operated in Noblesville, IN and can now be found on Amazon and in grocery stores around the nation.

Dr. Chuck Reynolds will provide an update on enrollment, finances, teacher compensation, capital improvements, and student outcomes.

Book Tour: Angie Estes and Mark Irwin. Wed., April 16th, 11am, Q+A on literary editing and publishing.

Michael Shebek is a Ball State graduate and former standout pitcher for the school's baseball team. Leveraging the skills and discipline he learned at Ball State, Michael went on to become the CEO of multiple U.S.-based companies, including Automatic Pool Covers, Inc. and Cover Care, LLC. In 2000, he acquired Automatic Pool Covers and spearheaded a transformative strategic change that resulted in a remarkable 30-fold revenue increase over the next 25 years, and revolutionized the industry in the process. Michael is a firm believer that when you identify a problem, you might be the first to discover a solution. He shares his approach to problem-solving with a solution-oriented mindset, demonstrating how entrepreneurs can seize opportunities and drive innovation.