INDIANAPOLIS – The 500 Festival announces elected officers for the 2022-2023 500 Festival Board of Directors, in addition to six new civic and business leaders who are appointed. 

Serving as the governing body of the 500 Festival, the board of directors is comprised of 33 community leaders. The board guides the strategic vision of the 500 Festival and its members act as trustees, representing the organization within the community. Committed to bettering the organization, members serve on various committees that support and enhance the 500 Festival and its 30 events and programs. 

Elected officers for 2022-2023 

• Chairman of the Board: Sarah Fisher O’Gara, CEO, Speedway Indoor Karting 
• Vice Chairman of the Board: Mike Boatright, Middle Market Manager, Corporate Banking at The National Bank of Indianapolis 
• Secretary: Dr. Jim Callaghan, President and CEO, Franciscan Health Central Indiana 
• Treasurer: Jeff Holley, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc. 

 

“Sarah has been an active and supportive board director for the last 6 years,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “She has continued to engage her fellow board directors and the 500 Festival staff with the racing community as well as share our mission with numerous drivers, teams and race fans. In our 65-year history this marks the first time an IndyCar driver and team owner has served as the board chair, and we are looking forward to her leadership.” 

 

New members of the 500 Festival Board of Directors: 

Troy Gilstorf, Regional Managing Partner, FORVIS 

Troy Gilstorf serves as regional managing partner for the East Region at FORVIS (formerly BKD, LLP). Since joining FORIVS in 1995, he has met complex client problems with practical solutions and a passion to serve. He has taken on many roles and has shown a constant commitment to providing Unmatched Client Service®, specifically as a member of BKD National Financial Services Group. As managing partner of the Indianapolis and Bloomington practice units, Troy has earned his reputation as an exceptional leader while driving those offices forward, navigating a significant amount of partner succession, and developing the next generation of firm leaders. 

Sara Tait, Partner, Ice Miller 

Sara Tait was hired by Ice Miller LLP as a partner in their Public Affairs Group. She focuses her practice on gaming and other regulated industries including crypto currency, cannabis, and alcohol. Sara most recently served as executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission, where she was chief regulator of Indiana’s 13 casinos, an industry that brings in more than $500 million in tax revenue each year and employs more than 12,000 people. She received her juris doctor from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. 

Nicole Paulk, SVP and Chief Strategy Officer, Indiana University Health  

Nicole Paulk is senior vice president and chief strategy officer at IU Health. She leads strategy development, including efforts to enhance clinical programs, research, education opportunities, and grow IU Health as a premier academic and regional healthcare system. Nicole recently served as vice president of strategic planning and service line growth for Inova Health System and director of corporate strategy for Northwestern Memorial Hospital. She holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s from Harvard University. 

Scott Bove, Regional President, STAR Bank  

Scott Bove is the regional president for commercial banking at STAR Bank in the Indianapolis area. He has been with the bank for about a decade and has spent time in several areas of private and commercial banking. Scott holds an MBA and BS from the Purdue Krannert School of Management. 

Bali Heir, Chief Business and Talent Development Officer, Krieg DeVault  

Bali Heir is the chief business and talent development officer for the law firm of Krieg DeVault. Bali has over 15 years of management experience in the legal industry as a versatile leader with a demonstrated track record of executing strategic initiatives in alignment with Krieg DeVault’s vision of being a trusted and dynamic law firm providing exceptional client service. She is a forward-looking leader with an innovative mindset who is passionate about making a positive impact with her work, the people she meets, and the community she serves. Bali was born and raised in England, where she attended Tile Hill College. She is a Legal Lean Sigma and Legal Project Management White Belt and a graduate of the Stanley K. Lacy leadership program. She previously served on the Board of Directors of Girls Inc. and Dress for Success, Indianapolis. 

Ellen Saul, Senior Director, Premium Services, Indianapolis Motor Speedway  
Ellen Saul has served as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s senior director of premium services since March 2014. In her role, Ellen oversees concessions, catering, credentials, and the service of suites, hospitality, clubs, and special events occurring at the iconic venue. Ellen brings her customer-focused, direct, collaborative, family-style optimistic leadership approach to IMS and strives to ensure her team is the best in the industry. 

 

The 500 Festival Foundation, a fully charitable 501(c)3 organization, leverages philanthropy to advance the 500 Festival’s mission to enrich lives and positively impact the community with a special focus on bringing education, fitness, and leadership opportunities to Indiana youth, also recently elected 2022-2023 officers and three new board directors.  

  

 

Elected officers for 2022-2023 

• Chairman of the Board: Scott Thiems, Retired, Regions Bank 
• Vice Chairman of the Board: Ted Dickman, Retired, FORVIS (formerly BKD, LLC) 

 

New members of the 500 Festival Foundation Board of Directors: 

Leslie Carter-Prall, EVP, Head of Private Wealth Management, Regions Bank 

Leslie Carter-Prall serves as head of Regions’ Private Wealth Management and joined Regions in 1991. She is a graduate of Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Leslie serves as treasurer on the board of directors for Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) and has served as a board member with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, the 500 Festival, the Kelley School of Business Alumni Association, Junior Achievement of Central Indiana, and the Little Red Door Cancer Agency.  

Scott Molander, Operating Partner, Garage Living 

Scott Molander co-founded Hat World, Inc. in 1995 and retired as chief operating officer of Lids Sports Group in 2016. Scott received his MBA from Indiana State University in 2016. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Dickinson State University, Dickinson, North Dakota, and his Associate of Arts from University of North Dakota-Williston. His volunteer leadership service has included the 500 Festival board, co-chair of St. Luke’s Providence 2020 Capital Campaign, founding member of HALO Capital Group, IU Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship, Dickinson State University Heritage Foundation, Toastmasters International, and Knights of Columbus.  

Mike Strohl, Sr. Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, Citizens Energy Group 

Mike Strohl serves as sr. vice president and chief customer officer at Citizens Energy Group. Mike joined Citizens in 2000 as director of finance for Citizens By-Products. He received his MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and has a bachelor's degree in Economics from Illinois State University. Mike is a graduate of the Ardath Burkhart Leadership Series and the Diversity Leadership Academy of Greater Indianapolis. Mike currently serves on the board of directors for Visit Indy and previously served on the boards for the 500 Festival, Noble of Indiana, CICOA Foundation, Develop Indy, and Traders Point Christian Academy.   

 

"The 500 Festival is proud to welcome these exceptional leaders to our boards,” added Bryant. “Each individual brings an array of expertise and knowledge to ensure the pursuit and success of the 500 Festival’s mission for years to come. We are eager to begin working toward a successful year of positively impacting our community with their leadership and commitment.” 

 

To learn more about 500 Festival’s events and programs, please visit 500festival.com. 

 

About the 500 Festival | Founded in 1957, the 500 Festival is a not-for-profit organization that produces more than 50 life-enriching events and programs while celebrating the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500® and fostering a positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana. One of the largest festivals in the nation, each year more than half a million people attend an event or program produced by the 500 Festival. Since its founding, the 500 Festival has contributed more than $500 million in economic value to Indianapolis. To learn more about the 500 Festival, please visit 500festival.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   

 

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