Columbian Business Network

Our Purpose

The Columbian Business Network capitalizes on its diverse member community to create a powerful networking, referral, and education group. We engage our community with private and public events, speaker series, board engagement, a Gala to raise money for the community, and many other opportunities to connect with Indy professionals.


 
CELEBRATING THE COLUMBIAN BUSINESS NETWORK RELAUNCH
The Columbia Club is proud to celebrate the relaunch and renewed engagement of the Columbian Business Network (CBN). Over the past year, this member-driven initiative has reenergized our community of leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals—creating invaluable opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together.
 
None of this would have been possible without the tireless dedication of the CBN Committee: Jon Paquette (Committee Chair), Debbie Evans, Jon Canter, Eli Miller, and Jim Martin. Their vision, organization, and commitment have shaped this benefit into one of the most engaging and impactful aspects of Club membership today. We extend our deepest thanks for their efforts in making CBN a thriving member resource.
 
Highlights from the 2024–2025 Speaker Series
This year, the Columbian Business Network welcomed eight dynamic speakers who shared their expertise and sparked meaningful conversations across industries:
  • George Strodtbeck – Leadership & Change Management
    Explored the essential skills leaders need to adapt, inspire, and guide organizations through transformation.
  • Dave Levine – AI Technology: What You Need to Know
    Provided practical insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, highlighting opportunities and cautions for businesses of all sizes.
  • Joel Hungate – The Infrastructure of Well-Being: The Future of Healthcare for You and Your People
    Shared forward-looking strategies for building healthier workplaces and communities, with an emphasis on employee well-being.
  • Governor Braun – Fireside Chat
    Offered an engaging conversation on leadership, policy, and Indiana’s future, giving members a rare opportunity for direct dialogue with the Governor.
  • Brian Evans – Small Business Lending: What’s Trending?
    Broke down the latest developments in lending, empowering entrepreneurs with tools to finance growth and navigate today’s economy.
  • Andrew Urban – Repositioning Office & Retail Assets
    Delivered a forward-thinking analysis of how office and retail properties in Indianapolis and the Midwest can be strategically repositioned to capture emerging value streams over the next several decades.
  • Dr. Toby Malichi – Tariffs & Global Trade
    Delivered an insightful discussion on the impacts of tariffs, international trade policies, and what they mean for American businesses.
  • Chris Baggott – Fireside Chat: Disruptive Entrepreneurship
    Challenged members to think differently about business innovation, exploring how disruptive strategies can transform industries.
Looking Ahead
The Columbian Business Network is only gaining momentum. With more events already scheduled for 2025 and the 2026 lineup to be announced in the coming months, members can look forward to an even more exciting slate of programming.
 
We invite all Columbians to take part:
  • Attend speaker events
  • Network with fellow members
  • Contribute ideas for future topics
Together, we are building a community where thought leadership thrives, innovation is celebrated, and meaningful connections are forged. To our CBN Committee and all who participated in this year’s programs—thank you. Your vision, energy, and engagement ensure the Columbian Business Network will remain a cornerstone of professional growth within our Club for years to come.

Upcoming CBN Events Members – Make your reservations via the Columbia Club App, website, or by calling 317.761.7518.
Non-Members – RSVP via the Eventbrite hyperlink provided.

Why Attend?
  • Hear from nationally recognized thought leader(s)
  • Network with Columbia Club members and fellow attendees
  • Enjoy one (1) complimentary beverage (beer or wine)
  • Savor delicious hors d’oeuvres
  • Receive two (2) raffle prize entries
  • Connect with professionals shaping the future of healthcare, business, and innovation

This event is presented by the Columbian Business Network (CBN) — a professional development initiative within the Columbia Club. CBN leverages the Club’s diverse membership to foster networking, referral partnerships, and educational opportunities through curated events, speaker series, and dynamic community engagement across Indianapolis.

Debbie Evans

As the Head of Integrated Business Planning at Elanco Animal Health, I lead the global implementation of IBP processes across Elanco’s business segments, including U.S. Pet Health, U.S. Farm Animal, and International business segments. My role is focused on driving alignment across commercial, financial, and operational functions to enhance decision-making, improve financial performance, and prepare for the successful launch of IBP capabilities by 2025.

Elanco, a global leader in animal health, is dedicated to innovating, developing, and delivering products and services to prevent and treat diseases in pets and livestock. With a mission to enrich the lives of animals and those who care for them, Elanco operates in over 90 countries and is at the forefront of advancing sustainable food and companion animal care solutions.

Prior to joining Elanco, I built a 22-year career at Cummins Inc., a global leader in power solutions, where I gained extensive experience in manufacturing, quality, and supply chain functions. Over the last 13 years of my tenure, I played a pivotal role in implementing Integrated Business Planning processes across various business units, transforming operational planning and driving cross-functional alignment. My experience spans critical areas such as end-to-end supply chain management, manufacturing excellence, and quality systems.

With a career marked by leadership in operational transformations and process improvement, I have cultivated a deep expertise in IBP and supply chain strategy, underpinned by a commitment to driving value creation and organizational success.

Key Competencies:

Integrated Business Planning

Cross-Functional Leadership

Supply Chain Management

Manufacturing Excellence

Strategic Planning & Execution

I am passionate about building processes that empower organizations to achieve their strategic goals and foster collaboration across all levels of the business. My current role at Elanco represents the culmination of two decades of experience driving transformative initiatives in dynamic and complex industries.

Jon Canter

Jon Canter is an accomplished leader and the Vice President of Franchising at ClusterTruck, driving the brand’s franchise strategy and building the foundation for a high-performing franchise network. Jon is responsible for developing scalable systems and cultivating a culture of operational excellence, focusing on delivering the exceptional customer experiences that define ClusterTruck. With extensive expertise in customer service, operations, and food technology, Jon has advanced through key roles at ClusterTruck, including Director of Customer Experience and Operations Manager, giving him unique insights into nurturing customer loyalty and brand advocacy. A dedicated advocate of data-driven strategy, Jon utilizes analytics to enhance customer satisfaction, refine marketing approaches, and accelerate growth for ClusterTruck’s expanding footprint. Jon lives in the Lockerbie Square neighborhood in downtown Indianapolis with his newlywed wife, Holly, their two cats, Hans and Berns, and their newly adopted dog, Huck. You‘ll often find him at the Club where he enjoys working from the co-working space, having dinner with his wife, and drinks with the CBN Committee in the Harrison Grill.

Eli Miller

Eli Miller is a seasoned real estate development and construction executive with over 20 years of industry experience, having successfully delivered more than $3.5 billion in projects. He leads Renatus Ventures—a fully integrated real estate development advisory and construction owner-representative firm—offering services such as program management, financial underwriting, development advisory, preconstruction, and construction representation.

Focusing on complex commercial projects spanning industrial, advanced manufacturing, mission critical, higher education, healthcare, and municipal sectors, Renatus Ventures advocates solely for the owner and their interests from concept to completion. We strive to be a force for economic good in the Midwest and beyond. We leverage our depth and breadth of knowledge and partners to create the highest possible value. Through their expertise in the entire real estate lifecycle—from feasibility and site selection to entitlements, financing, and construction—Renatus Ventures aims to transform the development and construction process while setting new standards of excellence.

Jon Paquette

Jon Paquette is a Senior Account Executive with Lucid Services Group, a locally owned and operated WBE that offers IT consulting services and solutions that enable clients to better serve their customers and operate more efficiently. Practice areas include strategic data management, AI readiness, organizational change management, application architecture and integration, and process/project lifecycle management in addition to staff augmentation and talent recruitment services for technical and techno-functional skill sets.

Throughout his career, Jon has successfully delivered consulting and talent solutions for a diverse range of clients including areas such pharma/med-device, manufacturing, retail, insurance, clinical research, healthcare, government, and non-profit organizations. Jon takes the time to dive deep and develop a true understanding of his clients business, goals, and challenges, which enables him to craft creative and effective IT and talent solutions that enable clients to achieve success through technology.

Jim Martin