10/07/2026
🌍 We’re proud to spotlight three outstanding participants in the 2026 James T. Morris Series, representing The International Center (Indianapolis)’s cohort this year: Phil Wagner, Billy Wells, Aaron Yoder!
🏛️ Phil Wagner joined the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation as President in January 2026, bringing 17 years of community and economic development leadership. Holding a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas, Phil has spearheaded transformative public-private partnerships, historic revitalizations, and business attraction efforts that generated hundreds of millions in capital investment and created thousands of jobs.
🏦 Billy Wells is the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Financial Center First Credit Union, leading retail banking, lending, and organizational strategy. Originally from Colombia, Billy holds an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University and leverages his extensive corporate leadership experience to champion financial wellness, mentor emerging leaders, and advance inclusive economic opportunity across Indiana.
📈 Aaron Yoder is the Senior Manager of Workforce Strategies at Ascend Indiana, where he builds cross-sector partnerships between employers, educators, and community leaders to expand economic mobility. A Purdue University graduate in management and marketing, Aaron leads initiatives supporting student-led businesses and developing modern workforce ecosystems to strengthen communities statewide.
These emerging leaders exemplify the Morris Series’ mission to strengthen global connection and understanding across Indiana and beyond.
Congrats from our leadership team! Martin Baier, Kristie S. Johnson, PhD, CFRE, Colin Renk, Garth Eberhart, MBA