Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation’s 2026 Daniels Prize Award
Thursday, September 10, 2026
- Time
- 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
- Venue
- Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, IN, 46204
The Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation will honor four Hoosier leaders whose work has strengthened Indiana through business, philanthropy, innovation, and service at its Annual Event at the Indiana State Museum on Thursday, September 10, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Former Eli Lilly and Company Chairman and CEO Dr. John Lechleiter and civic and philanthropic leader Sarah Lechleiter will receive the 2026 Daniels Prize, MDLF’s highest honor. Casey Crouse, founder and executive director of New Shoe Day, will receive the Driving Change Award, and the privately held agri-tech startup Anu founder and CEO Scott Massey will be recognized as the Class VIII Outstanding Fellow.
The public is invited to attend. Tickets and event information can be found here: 2026 MDLF Annual Event — Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation
John and Sarah Lechleiter: 2026 Daniels Prize
The Daniels Prize recognizes Hoosiers whose life’s work has “lifted the State to a new plane of thought, aspiration, expectation, and action,” reflecting the leadership of Indiana’s 49th governor, Mitch Daniels.
Dr. John Lechleiter spent more than 37 years at Eli Lilly and Company, beginning as an organic chemist and ultimately serving as president and CEO and chairman of the board. His leadership helped advance scientific innovation, strengthen Indiana's life sciences sector, and expand economic opportunity and community investment.
Sarah Lechleiter has provided significant leadership to Indiana's arts, cultural, philanthropic, and nonprofit institutions. In addition to serving on the board of Newfields and as an emeritus board member of the Indiana Repertory Theatre, she helped found and chaired what is now United Way of Central Indiana's Women United and has served and supported numerous civic organizations throughout Indiana.
Together, the Lechleiters have spent decades strengthening Indiana's civic and philanthropic landscape. In recognition of their shared commitment to community service, they jointly received the Charles L. Whistler Award for service to the Indianapolis community in 2016, and in 2017 were each awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Eric Holcomb.
Venue
Indiana State Museum
650 W Washington St
Indianapolis, IN
46204
Dates
The event runs from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM on the following dates.
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