Advisory Council
The Lilly Scholars Network Advisory Council’s mission is to encourage and support the efforts of current and alumni Lilly Endowment Community Scholars, who voluntarily join the Network, to engage with each other and with Hoosier leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.
Advisory Council members represent a cross-section of current and alumni Lilly Scholars, and other leaders from business, industry, labor, education, and/or other relevant backgrounds. A majority of the Council is made up of alumni Lilly Scholars.
Advisory Council
The Lilly Scholars Network Advisory Council’s mission is to encourage and support the efforts of current and alumni Lilly Endowment Community Scholars, who voluntarily join the Network, to engage with each other and with Hoosier leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.
Advisory Council members represent a cross-section of current and alumni Lilly Scholars from various fields of study and industries.
Christopher Lippelt
Current Chair
2012 Pulaski County Lilly Scholar
Associate Director of Regulatory Program Management, RayzeBio
Victoria Jennings
Chair-Elect
2014 Fulton County Lilly Scholar
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Manager, City of Indianapolis
Sarah Summers
Immediate Past Chair
2004 Hancock County Lilly Scholar
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Franklin College
Brad Crites
Past Chair
1998 Greene County Lilly Scholar
Educational Technology Consultant, Purdue University
Deep Brahmbhatt
2020 Floyd County Lilly Scholar
Graduate Student at University of Notre Dame
Rateira Dodds-Simmons
2002 Delaware County Lilly Scholar
Project Administrator, NCD Acquisitions & Integrations
Izayah Edwards
2021 Lake County Lilly Scholar
Global Brand Marketing Senior Associate, Fisher-Price
Advisory Council Applications Now Open
Submit your application by June 1
Selection by current Council members
Notification of application status by July 1
Attend August Advisory Council meeting
Attend new Council member onboarding
Council Members in Action
Committees
Each Advisory Council member will serve on one committee to support the Council’s mission. Committees are led by a Committee Chair, either a volunteer or appointed by the Council Chair. Committees meet monthly, except during months when the full Advisory Council convenes (February, May, August, and November). The Committee Chair, with guidance from LSN staff, facilitates meetings and submits reports to inform quarterly Council discussions.
Programs Committee
The Programs Committee is responsible for providing guidance and oversight to the LSN’s diverse range of programs, ensuring their alignment with the organization’s mission and strategic goals.
This committee is open to all Council Members and Lilly Scholars. Meeting links may be found on lillyscholarsnetwork.org.
Events & Scholar Engagement
Provide guidance to LSN Staff throughout the events planning process and assist in staffing events as needed. Committee Members will provide feedback on the overall event production, share suggestions and advice, and help finalize decisions. Committee members will also welcome new LSN members, periodically review the participation of current members, and consider ways to improve outreach efforts.
This committee is open to all Council Members and Lilly Scholars. Meeting links may be found on lillyscholarsnetwork.org.
Governance & Outreach
Help identify current or projected vacancies on the council and assist with recruitment as needed. Engage with council members to encourage their participation and assess their council engagement, satisfaction, and related goals.
This committee is open to Council members who have served at least one year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Item #1
What do Council Members do?
Provide guidance and input to the Lilly Scholars Network on behalf of all Lilly Scholars in hopes of creating a thriving community of servant leaders.
How long is the term of service?
Advisory Council members will serve a three-year term with the potential to renew for up to one additional term at the discretion of the Advisory Council. A former council member who has completed two terms may be re-appointed after a one-year absence from the Council. Membership terms begin on July 1 and end on June 30.
What makes a strong candidate?
Strong candidates for the LSN Advisory Council are passionate about the Lilly Scholars Network, connecting with fellow Lilly Scholars, and giving back, both to their communities and to their fellow Scholars who might be seeking their expertise and talents. Demonstrated involvement with the Network and one’s community will also be taken into consideration.
How often do council members meet?
The entire council meets four times a year for an hour and a half. Currently, those meetings occur the first Wednesday of February, May, August, and November from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Additional meetings may be necessary based on committee involvement. Council members
What is the time commitment?
The time commitment varies based on the number of committees you become involved with. Typically committees meet once a month for an hour. However, please reference the Advisory Council guidelines for additional insight into the roles and responsibilities of each committee.
Where do council members meet?
Since our council contains members from around the state, meetings are held both in-person and online as well as offered hybrid. For those who can gather in person, meetings are typically held in Central Indiana, often at the Indiana Humanities office, which is located at 1500 North Delaware, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Want to join the Council?
The Lilly Scholars Network (LSN) Advisory Council accepts applications from Scholars who are interested in joining the Advisory Council each spring. Strong candidates are passionate about the Lilly Scholars Network and engaged in their communities.
Scholars interested in the Advisory Council but not yet ready to apply to lead are encouraged to consider joining a committee.
