Conexus Indiana announced its fifth annual Rising 30 class, recognizing outstanding young professionals making significant early-career contributions to Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) sectors.
The Rising 30 program, presented by Purdue University, continues Conexus Indiana’s commitment to strengthening and promoting Indiana’s vital manufacturing and logistics ecosystem. These honorees represent exceptional talent under the age of 30 who are already reshaping Indiana’s largest industry sector and will lead it into the next era of innovation.
Selected for their remarkable achievements and forward-thinking approaches, this year’s cohort embodies the bright future of Indiana’s manufacturing and logistics industries.
“When I visit our manufacturing facilities across Indiana, I’m always struck by the ingenuity of our young talent,” said Jay Wirts, President and CEO of Conexus Indiana. “These Rising 30 honorees aren’t just building products—they’re building the future of Hoosier manufacturing and ensuring our families and communities thrive. Each one of them represents why Indiana continues to strengthen its position as a global manufacturing and logistics powerhouse for generations to come.”
The 2025 honorees span a wide range of specialties – from engineering and operations to research and development, technical services and strategic leadership. They represent organizations ranging from established global corporations, emerging startups, and local family businesses distributed throughout Indiana’s manufacturing hubs from South Bend to Jeffersonville.
Rising 30 candidates are nominated by their employer or an industry representative, and winners are selected based on their career accomplishments to date. In the coming year, the Rising 30 honorees will participate in Conexus Indiana’s work by serving as thought leaders on topics including technology adoption and workforce development.
The 2025 Rising 30 class celebrated at a recognition event in downtown Indianapolis, bringing together industry leaders to honor these exceptional young professionals.
Brantley Armour, IT Systems Manager, MAVPAK Warehouse LLC
Rod Baradaran, CEO, rScan
Makayla Barrett, Senior International Supply Chain Planner, Allison Transmission
Kaitlin Baxter, Chief Process Officer, Antique Candle Co.
Spencer Brown, Design/Product Engineer, Ember Recreational Vehicles
Scott Clark, Manufacturing Engineer, Cook Medical
Logan Glaze, VP of Sales and Marketing, Glaze Tool & Engineering
Isabel Gomez, Project Manager, Acción Performance
Peyton Heckaman, Co-founder & CEO, Heckaman & Hollar Group
Sayge Hopwood, Vineyard Supervisor, Hopwood Cellars & Winery
Brianne Hovde, Associate Director, Technical, Services/Manufacturing Science, Eli Lilly & Co.
Christian Huber, Winemaker and Master Distiller, Huber Winery & Starlight Distillery
Shaun Hughes, Director of Marketing, True Essence Foods
Zoe Hughes, Production Supervisor, MSP Manufacturing
Michael Jackson, President, Kent Machine
Ashley Jeffirs, Manufacturing Engineer II, Zimmer Biomet
Alex Kortepeter, Director of Strategy & Operations, Polygon Composites
Swapneel Kulkarni, Battery Engineer II, Ateios Systems
Emily Lazaga, Legal and Compliance Generalist, Hitachi Astemo
Emily Lintott, Senior Supervisor, Instrument Operations, Roche Diagnostics
Jonathan Lozada, Sales and Engineering Manager, Innovative Designs
Georgiana Morar, Operational Excellence Analyst, Oasis Lifestyle LLC
Cristhian Padilla, Senior HSE Engineer, Cummins
Angela Perez, Plant Operator and Engineer, FiberX Incorporated
Kaylie Pruiett, Program Manager, Evansville Regional Economic Partnership
Sam Reshad, Assembly Engineer, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana
Jennifer Skelton, Formulation Scientist, Corteva Agriscience
Jianxiang Tao, Computer Vision Scientist, anu
Nick Will, Design Engineer, Tactile Engineering
Paul Williams, Senior Manager Operations, MACHYNE at 16 Tech
