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2023 Year in Review

From the launch of a statewide workforce initiative to landmark achievements in mental health care to the hundreds of students served by our school choice scholarship, this year Sagamore advanced practical ideas creating more opportunities for everyone to flourish. What Sagamores provides, in a unique way, is connection. We convene problem solvers from different backgrounds and put them in conversation with each other. Suddenly, they’re not working alone anymore, and creative, big picture solutions start to emerge. We invite you to reflect on Sagamore’s contributions in the gallery below.

At the inaugural Indiana Mental Health Roundtable Summit held on May 16, 2023, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb led a ceremonial signing of the Indiana General Assembly’s Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 1006 to honor the historic prioritization of mental health. The Indiana Mental Health Roundtable is operated by Sagamore Institute on behalf of Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch.
At the inaugural Indiana Mental Health Roundtable Summit held on May 16, 2023, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb led a ceremonial signing of the Indiana General Assembly’s Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 1006 to honor the historic prioritization of mental health. The Indiana Mental Health Roundtable is operated by Sagamore Institute on behalf of Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch.
Sagamore Institute, in partnership with Indianapolis-based Innopower, was awarded grants from the Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative, JP Morgan Chase Foundation and the Indiana READI initiative to help Black communities access economic opportunity through education, entrepreneurship and workforce development.
Sagamore Institute, in partnership with Indianapolis-based Innopower, was awarded grants from the Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative, JP Morgan Chase Foundation and the Indiana READI initiative to help Black communities access economic opportunity through education, entrepreneurship and workforce development.
Sagamore Senior Fellow Dr. Byron Johnson visited Indianapolis on July 21 to discuss the Global Flourishing Study, a $43 million initiative to improve our understanding of human flourishing. The study looks at six domains of flourishing and includes 200,000 participants from 21 countries.
Sagamore Senior Fellow Dr. Byron Johnson visited Indianapolis on July 21 to discuss the Global Flourishing Study, a $43 million initiative to improve our understanding of human flourishing. The study looks at six domains of flourishing and includes 200,000 participants from 21 countries.
Sagamore hosted six interns in its Summer 2023 class, including Jim Dittoe and Ty Harrinigton. Dittoe, an 80-year-old retired business leader, and Harrington, a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Notre Dame, worked together to promote civic engagement among younger Americans.
Sagamore hosted six interns in its Summer 2023 class, including Jim Dittoe and Ty Harrinigton. Dittoe, an 80-year-old retired business leader, and Harrington, a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Notre Dame, worked together to promote civic engagement among younger Americans.
228 International teachers are currently teaching in U.S. schools through Sagamore’s J-1 Visa Program. Sagamore’s international teachers are sharing their cultures with students and building global competencies every day.
228 International teachers are currently teaching in U.S. schools through Sagamore’s J-1 Visa Program. Sagamore’s international teachers are sharing their cultures with students and building global competencies every day.
On August 24, Sagamore Institute co-hosted a Solutions Summit in Indianapolis with the American Enterprise Institute. The half-day gathering convened state and local leaders to share ideas, network, and learn about policies designed to increase opportunity and upward mobility for Indiana families and communities.
On August 24, Sagamore Institute co-hosted a Solutions Summit in Indianapolis with the American Enterprise Institute. The half-day gathering convened state and local leaders to share ideas, network, and learn about policies designed to increase opportunity and upward mobility for Indiana families and communities.
On September 27, Sagamore hosted a book launch for "The Soul of Civility" with author Alexandra Hudson and the Harrison Center for the Arts. In her book, Hudson sheds light on how civility can help bridge our social and political divides.
On September 27, Sagamore hosted a book launch for "The Soul of Civility" with author Alexandra Hudson and the Harrison Center for the Arts. In her book, Hudson sheds light on how civility can help bridge our social and political divides.
Sagamore operates a scholarship program that awarded $7 million to over 2,500 students last year. Scholarships for Education Choice, which serves 70 private schools in Indiana, is certified by the State of Indiana and enables parents to choose the school that best meets their child’s needs.
Sagamore operates a scholarship program that awarded $7 million to over 2,500 students last year. Scholarships for Education Choice, which serves 70 private schools in Indiana, is certified by the State of Indiana and enables parents to choose the school that best meets their child’s needs.
On October 11, Sagamore Senior Fellow Dr. Jerry Hendrix presented the findings of his latest research report, "Measuring and Modeling Naval Presence," at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. The research, supported by a grant from the Smith Richardson Foundation, provides military and policy leaders with a better understanding of the value of naval presence around the world.
On October 11, Sagamore Senior Fellow Dr. Jerry Hendrix presented the findings of his latest research report, "Measuring and Modeling Naval Presence," at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. The research, supported by a grant from the Smith Richardson Foundation, provides military and policy leaders with a better understanding of the value of naval presence around the world.
On October 17, Sagamore Institute held the annual Indiana Conference on Citizenship. This year’s conference, “The Future of Work: Run Don’t Crawl” focused on the changing nature of work, the workforce, and demographics in Indiana and featured national and state leaders representing key workforce sectors. At the conference, Sagamore honored Cook Group with the inaugural Jerry Semler Corporate Citizenship Award.
On October 17, Sagamore Institute held the annual Indiana Conference on Citizenship. This year’s conference, “The Future of Work: Run Don’t Crawl” focused on the changing nature of work, the workforce, and demographics in Indiana and featured national and state leaders representing key workforce sectors. At the conference, Sagamore honored Cook Group with the inaugural Jerry Semler Corporate Citizenship Award.
Sagamore Institute and its impact investing platform, Commonwealth, facilitated a multimillion investment to establish a social enterprise in Ghana. World Shoe manufactures prophylactic and bio-degradable footwear that is helping to prevent neglected tropical diseases affecting over 1 billion people in 100 countries.
Sagamore Institute and its impact investing platform, Commonwealth, facilitated a multimillion investment to establish a social enterprise in Ghana. World Shoe manufactures prophylactic and bio-degradable footwear that is helping to prevent neglected tropical diseases affecting over 1 billion people in 100 countries.
Sagamore co-founder and former U.S. Senator Dan Coats spoke to a students at Anderson University on December 5 about national security and cybersecurity challenges facing the United States. Coats recently returned to Indiana and rejoined the Sagamore Institute Board of Trustees.
Sagamore co-founder and former U.S. Senator Dan Coats spoke to a students at Anderson University on December 5 about national security and cybersecurity challenges facing the United States. Coats recently returned to Indiana and rejoined the Sagamore Institute Board of Trustees.
On December 12, Sagamore Institute and Remnant Trust held the first of a series of events leading up to Indiana's celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Leaders gathered at the Indiana Statehouse to recognize the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, which was an early spark to the American Revolution.
On December 12, Sagamore Institute and Remnant Trust held the first of a series of events leading up to Indiana's celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Leaders gathered at the Indiana Statehouse to recognize the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, which was an early spark to the American Revolution.
This year, Sagamore Institute President Teresa Lubbers was recognized for her outstanding public service by the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation, the Lugar Series and Marian University. In her second year as President of Sagamore, Lubbers initiated the Workforce 2040 project and several efforts aimed at strengthening civil society.
This year, Sagamore Institute President Teresa Lubbers was recognized for her outstanding public service by the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation, the Lugar Series and Marian University. In her second year as President of Sagamore, Lubbers initiated the Workforce 2040 project and several efforts aimed at strengthening civil society.

As Sagamore Institute approaches its 20-year anniversary in 2024, we have identified three problems that urgently need our collective leadership, commitment and experience:

  • Citizenship: We must recover the ideals and practices of good citizenship to preserve our democracy—from the local level to the nation’s capital.
  • Opportunity: We must inspire innovation and intentionally cultivate environments where individuals from all backgrounds can pursue a life of purpose and meaning.
  • National Security: We must promote America’s positive role in the world and the importance of Midwest companies, educational institutions and military assets to global security.

These are the places where we can inspire hope and a path forward. Together, we can bring civility and solutions back into focus. As we close the year, we invite you to make an investment to help fuel this vision into Sagamore’s third decade.

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Sen. Richard Lugar honored Sagamore's unveiling of it's Indiana-Africa Connections Project, a database that lists more than 250 Indiana individuals and organizations who regularly engage with sub-Saharan Africa.
Sen. Richard Lugar honored Sagamore's unveiling of it's Indiana-Africa Connections Project, a database that lists more than 250 Indiana individuals and organizations who regularly engage with sub-Saharan Africa.
Llew Wells, former producer for The West Wing, spoke to an audience at Sagamore about the mission of Living City Block, a venture to make cities far more energy-efficient.
Llew Wells, former producer for The West Wing, spoke to an audience at Sagamore about the mission of Living City Block, a venture to make cities far more energy-efficient.
Sagamore hosted 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Leymah Gbowee at the Levey Mansion and Mayor Ballard’s office presented Ms. Gbowee with the key to the city.
Sagamore hosted 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Leymah Gbowee at the Levey Mansion and Mayor Ballard’s office presented Ms. Gbowee with the key to the city.
Sagamore Institute hosted Judge Ken Starr, President of Baylor University, for a breakfast reception. Starr delivered his speech with the guidance of a pocket-sized copy of the US constitution, which each member in the audience received.
Sagamore Institute hosted Judge Ken Starr, President of Baylor University, for a breakfast reception. Starr delivered his speech with the guidance of a pocket-sized copy of the US constitution, which each member in the audience received.
Nicole Baker Fulgham, founder and president of The Expectations Project, visited Sagamore to discuss her new book, "Educating All God's Children", and the role churches in Indianapolis can play in closing the achievement gap.
Nicole Baker Fulgham, founder and president of The Expectations Project, visited Sagamore to discuss her new book, "Educating All God's Children", and the role churches in Indianapolis can play in closing the achievement gap.
Sagamore hosted an evening reception featuring U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Mrs. Mathilde Mukantabana. Her excellency shared the work of development, growth, and peace happening in Rwanda.
Sagamore hosted an evening reception featuring U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Mrs. Mathilde Mukantabana. Her excellency shared the work of development, growth, and peace happening in Rwanda.
Sagamore Institute hosted a book event featuring Richard Brookhiser where he discussed his newest book, John Marshall: The Man Who Made the Court Supreme.
Sagamore Institute hosted a book event featuring Richard Brookhiser where he discussed his newest book, John Marshall: The Man Who Made the Court Supreme.

Notable Speakers at Levey

Sagamore is honored to have hosted several notable civic leaders, business professionals, authors, and the like at Levey Mansion to facilitate solution-focused discussions to society’s biggest problems. Scroll through this gallery to read about some of our favorite speakers throughout the years. 

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Indiana Conference on Citizenship 2017

In August 2017, Sagamore held its third annual Indiana Conference on Citizenship (ICOC) at the Levey Mansion. This conference aimed to celebrate the Centennial Spirit of Indiana’s best leaders in government, business, and arts and letters, whose friendships and contributions inspire us to follow their example. ICOC 2017 participants experienced historical reenactments of the Civil War era and heard experts speak about our state’s centennial heroes.

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Hunter Smith Band Performs at Levey Mansion

In 2011, former Colts punter Hunter Smith joined Sagamore Institute as Director of its Sports and Culture Initiative. After playing football for Notre Dame, Smith went on to win the Super Bowl in 2006 with the Indianapolis Colts. After a brief stint with the Redskins, Hunter made his home in the Hoosier state and now performs regularly with the Hunter Smith Band, pictured here at Levey Mansion. 

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Biblical Artifacts at Sagamore

The Green Collection is one of the world’s largest private collections of rare biblical texts and artifacts. Sagamore scholar Jerry Pattengale served as Executive Director of the Green Scholars Initiative, designed to facilitate academic study of the artifacts in the Green Collection. Sagamore was pleased to host an event at Levey showcasing selected items from the collection. 

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Sagamore's Mayors' Roundtable Initiative

In September 2010, Sagamore Institute welcomed a group of Indiana mayors to hear Lt. Governor Becky Skillman highlight her then-recent agricultural trade mission to Zhejiang Province, Indiana’s sister state in China. The event signaled the formal launch of Sagamore’s “Mayors’ Roundtable Initiative,” an effort to serve as a link between Indiana mayors and potential trade relationships in China. While in China, the Lt. Governor delivered Sagamore’s part of a joint study to the Zhejiang Academy of Social Sciences.

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Liberia Ambassador William Bull Visits Levey

Sagamore held a lunch reception honoring Liberia’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency William Bull. Reflecting Sagamore’s interest in private participation in international assistance, the reception included brief remarks by Ambassador Bull on the role of the Liberian Diaspora and its remittances in Liberia’s National Development.

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Amy Sherman and Women Doing Well

Sagamore fellow Amy Sherman served as Principle Investigator for a Women Doing Well project (WDW). WDW was founded with the goal of serving women and bridging their professtional relationships in a faith-based fashion. Sherman presented a public briefing on the report with Ron Blue, co-hosted by Sagamore Institute and WDW.