500 Festival Announces New Leadership, Welcoming Seven Incoming Board Directors for 2026-2027 Term 

New officers and incoming Directors will help lead the 500 Festival as it celebrates 70 years of bringing people together through iconic traditions, youth programs, fitness events, and community initiatives. 

INDIANAPOLIS (September 23, 2026) – The 500 Festival has announced its newly elected Board officers and incoming Board Directors for the 2026-2027 year. The new leadership will help guide the organization as it continues its mission of celebrating the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500 while producing life-enriching events and programs that make a positive impact across Indiana and beyond.  

500 Festival Board of Directors 

The 500 Festival Board of Directors, comprised of 33 community leaders, act as trustees, representing the organization within the community. Committed to bettering the organization, members serve on various committees that enhance the 500 Festival’s events and programs. The 2026-2027 Board leadership includes: 

• Chair: Roger Harvey, Principal, Bose Public Affairs Group
• Vice Chair: Troy Gilstorf, Regional Managing Partner, Forvis Mazars
• Secretary: Brandi Davis-Handy, President, AES Indiana
• Treasurer: Bowman Elder, President, Southern Indiana Commerce Corporation
• Immediate Past Chair: Christina Moungey, Managing Director, Indiana Kentucky Region Manager, J.P. Morgan 
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway Seat: Ellen Saul, Vice President of Premium Services, Indianapolis Motor Speedway 

“Roger Harvey embodies the spirit of service, leadership, and community that defines the 500 Festival,” said Dave Neff, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “Through his involvement with the organization, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our mission and the people we serve. I am confident his leadership as board chair will strengthen and help us continue creating meaningful experiences in Indiana and beyond.”  

The 500 Festival also welcomed four new members to its Board of Directors for the 2026-2027 term. 

• Adrienne Sims, Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resource Officer, Indiana University Health
  For the past four years, Adrienne Sims has led the human resources strategy and functions for the largest healthcare system in Indiana. Prior to IU Health, Adrienne has held senior HR leadership roles at OneAmerica Financial, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Anthem, Roche Diagnostics, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. In 2024, Adrienne was named the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Ogletree Deakins Human Resources Professional of the Year and has been recognized as a Becker’s Healthcare CHRO to Know twice. She holds a Doctor of Psychology and Master of Science in organizational psychology from Rutgers University, a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Texas Woman’s University, and an executive coaching certification from Columbia University.  

• Chris Cooke, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Partner, and Wealth Advisor, Cooke Financial Group
  Since joining the firm in 1992, Chris Cooke has played a key role in the firm’s transition to independence in 2016 and the launch of Sanctuary Wealth, where Cooke Financial Group became the inaugural team on Sanctuary’s exclusive Partnered Independence℠ platform. Prior to the firm, Chris was an accountant at Ernst & Young, where he developed expertise in auditing, performance monitoring, and risk management. Today, he specializes in wealth management, retirement planning, and estate planning. Chris is a non-practicing CPA attorney and holds the prestigious CIMA® designation. 

• Jenny Lurkins: Indiana Market Executive and Commercial Banking Leader, Regions Bank
  With more than 25 years of banking experience, Jenny Lurkins has served the corporate, middle-market, public sector, and nonprofit segments. For the past 15 years, she has worked for Regions Bank where she now holds the title of Indiana Market Executive and Commercial Banking Leader. Jenny has held leadership roles spanning commercial banking, credit products, relationship management, and enterprise risk oversight. She holds an MBA from Butler University, a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Southern Illinois University and is a Certified Treasury Professional.
• Lori Price: President and Chief Executive Officer, Franciscan Health, Central Indiana Division
  For the past three years, Lori Price has served as the President and CEO of Franciscan Health’s Central Indiana Division. In this role, she oversees a comprehensive network of hospitals and outpatient facilities across Indianapolis, Mooresville, and Carmel. Lori leads over 1,200 physicians and advanced practice providers, and 4,000 coworkers serving more than two million patient visits. Previously serving as Vice President of Quality, Patient Safety and Risk for Franciscan Alliance, Lori has led clinical quality, resource utilization, and patient safety initiatives across 13 hospitals.

500 Festival Foundation Board of Directors 

The 500 Festival Foundation also welcomed new directors for the 2026-2027 term. The Foundation helps advance the mission of the 500 Festival by supporting the organization’s events and programs, including initiatives focused on youth, education, fitness, and leadership development. 

• Mike Boatright, First Vice President and Manager, Middle Market Commercial Banking, The National Bank of Indianapolis
  With over 30 years of experience in financial services and banking, Mike Boatright oversees the Commercial Banking team in his current role as First Vice President and Manager at The National Bank of Indianapolis. He has provided his time, expertise, and leadership by volunteering on several boards and organizations, including the Ronald McDonald House of Central Indiana, LittleStar ABA Therapy, and Zionsville United Methodist Church. For the past eight years, Mike served on the 500 Festival Board of Directors, including as Chairman in 2024. 

• Nicole Sexton, President and Chief Executive Officer, Entertainment Industry Foundation
  Since 2017, Nicole Sexton serves as President and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation where she oversees the organization’s operations and strategic direction. Previously, Nicole had a career focused on nonprofit leadership, fundraising, advocacy, and organizational development. She has held leadership roles in various organizations including the Central Park Conservancy, Organizing Neighborhood Equity in Washington D.C., and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Currently, Nicole serves on the boards of the White House Historical Association, Friends of the Global Fight, Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts, FEED Foundation, and the SMU DataArts board.  

• Patty Martin, Chief Operating Officer, Martin Equity
  Prior to becoming the Chief Operating Officer at Martin Equity, Patty Martin spent 26 years at Eli Lilly and Company building her distinguished career in leadership roles such as Chief Operating Officer of Lilly Diabetes, Chief Diversity Officer, and Chief Alliance Officer. Following her tenure at Lilly, Patty served as President and CEO of BioCrossroads. She has served on numerous nonprofit and corporate boards, including the Regenstrief Institute, Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, and CareSource. In 2016, Patty served as the Chair of the 500 Festival Board of Directors.  

Learn more about the 500 Festival Board of Directors here or the 500 Festival Foundation Board of Directors here. 

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

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About the 500 Festival | Founded in 1957, the 500 Festival is a not-for-profit organization that produces more than 40 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, X, and Instagram.   

About the 500 Festival Foundation | The 500 Festival Foundation is a fully charitable 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the 500 Festival’s mission. The Foundation raises funds for the Festival’s free and low-cost education, youth, college-age, health, and leadership programs, reaching over 100,000 Indiana students, college students, and families each year and helping cultivate the next generation of community leaders. To learn more or support the Foundation, visit 500festivalfoundation.com.