In this second chapter of Foundations + Futures: By the Decade, we step into the 1980s—cassette tapes, big hair, and a decade that wasn't afraid to reinvent itself. For Schmidt Associates, it was the era of finding direction.

Wes Harrison, structural engineer and longtime collaborator, joins host Sarah Hempstead to bring the decade to life. From hand-drafted drawings and eraser crumbs to a bold bet on a dilapidated building on Massachusetts Avenue, Wes shares the stories behind the firm's early momentum and the leader who made it possible.

Listeners will hear about:

• The IPS school projects that launched Schmidt Claffey's first big break and a K–12 legacy
• Wayne Schmidt's vision for an old building on Mass Ave that helped spark a neighborhood's transformation
• The Soldiers and Sailors Monument restoration and the controversy over tilted glass that ultimately became beloved
• The Tippecanoe County Courthouse renovation and the hidden floor discovered inside the walls
• The Indiana University Auditorium project and the bouncing balcony that became an engineering challenge worth solving
• Wayne's servant leadership quietly shaped a generation of young professionals

This decade was about direction, discovering what the firm was built for and building the trust to prove it. The 1980s gave Schmidt Associates its pattern, and you can still see it in every studio today.

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In this first chapter of Foundations + Futures: By the Decade, we travel back to 1976—when Schmidt Associates was born from a bold idea, one chair, two employees, and a deep belief that architecture should serve people first.

Dean Illingworth, a longtime Schmidt Associates team member and firsthand witness to the firm's earliest days, joins host Sarah Hempstead to bring the 1970s to life. From hand-drafted drawings on repurposed doors to animal safaris for third graders, Dean shares the stories that reveal who Wayne Schmidt was—not just as a founder, but as a leader who practiced servant leadership long before it had a name.

Listeners will hear about:

• The real story behind "one chair, two employees"—and the doors that became drafting tables
• How a staged job interview landed Dean his first day at the firm (and why he was left alone in the office)
• The Hammond Block, Mass Ave, and the birth of the firm's historic preservation expertise
• The restoration of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument—a project that shaped the firm's identity and its place in Indianapolis
• The roots of Schmidt's K–12 education practice and early community-centered work

This decade was about conviction—showing up for communities, leading with empathy, and building something bigger than a business. The 1970s gave Schmidt Associates its DNA, and you can still feel it today.

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In this special anniversary series episode, we’re flipping the script—Sarah Hempstead, CEO of Schmidt Associates and host of Luminate, takes the guest seat to reflect on legacy, leadership, and what it means to carry a vision forward.

As Schmidt Associates celebrates 50 years—and honors 100 years of Arrasmith history in Kentucky—Sarah shares the story behind her architectural journey, the values that drew her to the firm, and the pivotal moments that shaped her approach to servant leadership. From her earliest design inspirations to navigating the transition to CEO, this conversation explores how thoughtful preparation, collaboration, and curiosity have defined both her path and the firm’s evolution.

Listeners will hear about:

• Finding purpose in architecture through travel, education, and mentorship
• Leading through uncertainty and the lessons learned from unexpected challenges
• Preserving culture while adapting for growth during leadership transition
• The importance of inclusive, ego-free design rooted in community impact

This episode sets the stage for Foundations + Futures: By the Decade, a special anniversary series exploring the people, projects, and decisions that built our past—and the vision shaping our future.

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Few roles demand more heart, humility, and resolve than leading a public school district.

In this episode, CEO Sarah Hempstead sits down with Dr. Travis Madison, superintendent of New Albany Floyd County Schools, for a candid conversation about leadership rooted in purpose—and the power of showing up for students, staff, and the community every day.

With nearly three decades in education, Dr. Madison offers the perspective of someone who has served at every level—from the English classroom to the superintendent’s office. He reflects on how coaching shaped his leadership style, why visibility and trust matter more than ever, and how career education can serve as a powerful equalizer for students across the district.

Listeners will explore:

• Empathy and consistency as foundations for effective school leadership
• Visibility, relationships, and trust as drivers of districtwide success
• Career education access and how programs like Prosser prepare students for life beyond the classroom
• District alignment and the strategies behind building systems that support long-term impact

Whether he’s cheering on students at an evening event or navigating big-picture strategy, Dr. Madison leads with an unwavering commitment to doing what’s best for kids.

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In this insightful episode, CEO Sarah Hempstead sits down with Wendy Muston—concert harpist and former school board president—for a conversation about leadership, service, and the lasting impact of the arts in education.

With a career that spans international concert halls and 25 years of public service in The Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township, Wendy shares how her experiences as a musician shaped her leadership style and fueled her advocacy for equitable arts education. From navigating challenges on stage to leading through a pandemic, her story is one of resilience, integrity, and a deep commitment to community.

Listeners will hear about:

• Developing a music career with adaptability and purpose
• Leading without a personal agenda—and why that matters
• Advocating for early instrumental education as a foundation for equity
• Drawing leadership lessons from orchestral collaboration

This episode is a powerful reminder that creative disciplines can build the skills leaders need most: empathy, collaboration and the ability to listen with intent.

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In this inspiring episode of Luminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership, guest host Audra Blasdel speaks with Dan Robison, director of the Jackson County Chamber, about returning home, building ecosystems, and leading rural transformation through connection and creativity.

After nearly two decades in Florida, Robison made the bold decision to return to Seymour, Indiana—just days before the pandemic hit. What followed was a reimagining of community leadership rooted in servant leadership, entrepreneurship, and a relentless belief in the power of people.

Listeners will hear about:

• The journey from big-box retail to rural innovation
• Rebuilding trust and energy in a hometown community
• Why “being a connector” is a leadership superpower
• The bold vision behind the Spark Shop and rural entrepreneurship
• Turning perceived disadvantages into strategic advantages
• Leading through uncertainty—and staying grounded in purpose

With humor, honesty, and a deep sense of mission, Robison shares how returning home became his greatest act of leadership—and how building supportive ecosystems can unlock opportunity for generations to come.

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In this inspiring episode, CEO Sarah Hempstead sits down with Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, inaugural dean of Founders College at Butler University, to explore how visionary leadership and lived experience are reshaping access to higher education.

Dr. Gentle-Genitty shares her journey from growing up in Belize to serving as dean of a bold new college model designed for high-ability, low-wealth students. With stories that span grassroots youth leadership, systemic change in U.S. higher education, and her role in leading a program built on access, equity and purpose, this conversation is a masterclass in servant leadership, innovation and resilience.

Listeners will hear about:

• Designing academic spaces with intentionality and belonging
• Removing barriers to student success through policy and practice
• The power of mentorship, storytelling and showing up
• How education can shape better citizens, not just better careers

This episode is more than a conversation. It is a call to design boldly, lead with purpose and make space for those too often left behind.

🔗 Subscribe and follow us at @SchmidtAssociates on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

In this episode of Luminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership, host Sarah Hempstead speaks with Dr. Tanuja Singh, president of the University of Indianapolis.

Dr. Singh shares her extraordinary journey from particle physics in India to purposeful leadership in higher education. She discusses the importance of belonging, mentorship, and preparing the next generation of women leaders—offering a candid and inspiring look at what it means to lead with empathy, curiosity and conviction.

Key highlights:

• From particle physics to people-centered leadership
  Singh began her career in science, but discovered her true calling in higher education—where she could make a personal impact. “I liked particles, but I liked people better,” she said.
• Parental support and early empowerment
  Raised in a household that valued independence and education, Singh credits her father—a self-described feminist—for instilling in her the belief that she could do anything.
• Creating community and belonging
  Her decision to attend Millsaps College in Mississippi was shaped by a sense of personal connection. That same value of caring deeply for individuals now informs her leadership at UIndy.
• Empowering women leaders through action
  Singh helped launch the Women’s Executive Leadership Institute, a program rooted in mentorship, skill-building and support for emerging women leaders across industries in Indiana.
• Reimagining lifelong learning
  Through UIndy Online and the CS Institute, Singh is championing accessible, real-world education for adults seeking to reskill or upskill in today’s rapidly changing workforce.
• Curiosity as a leadership imperative
  Singh underscores the role of curiosity in personal and professional growth. “Higher education is where your mind learns to be resilient, adaptable and imaginative,” she said.
• A global perspective on education and equity
  Singh calls for renewed investment in U.S. higher education, warning that countries like India and China are rapidly advancing their research and experiential learning infrastructures.
• Leading with purpose—one student at a time
  Singh’s legacy is rooted in helping others discover their potential. Whether it’s a student gaining confidence or a professional finding their voice, her mission is to inspire belief in what’s possible.
• Recharge through travel and reflection
  A passionate traveler, Singh finds joy in exploring new cultures—and sees it as a way to better understand shared human values.

Singh also shares two compelling reads: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, and In Case of Emergency, Break Glass, a book about finding calm and clarity in an overstimulated digital world.

This episode is a must-listen for educators, leaders, and anyone committed to building a more inclusive, curious, and purpose-driven future. Hear how Dr. Tanuja Singh is shaping the future of higher education—one meaningful connection at a time.

Subscribe to Luminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership to stay inspired and informed!