Members of the Board
Robert W. Lazard, Chairperson
A recently retired CPA, Mr. Lazard had a 42-year career entirely with Crowe directly out of Purdue University’s School of Management. Mr. Lazard fulfilled his passion for government and not-for-profit when he became Crowe’s first managing partner for the Firmwide Public Sector Services in 1990, developing it into a firmwide national business unit with services in audit, tax and consulting. Mr. Lazard maintains membership in the AICPA and Indiana CPA Society and has experience with numerous AICPA and INCPAS committees and task force efforts, including the AICPA’s Federal Legislative Task Force and the Indiana State Steering Committee. Mr. Lazard is a former chairman of the INCPAS Ethics Committee and continues to serve on statewide committees within the Indiana CPA Society. Mr. Lazard has served on many professional and non-profit boards and committees throughout his career, including two terms on the Indiana State Board of Education, seven years on the National Association of State Boards of Education of which he is a past president, and eight years on the Purdue University – Krannert of Business School Alumni Association Board. Mr. Lazard currently serves on the Board of Elders and is Treasurer of his local church congregation; is on the Purdue University – Krannert School of Management Dean’s Advisory Council; is the Treasurer of the Indianapolis Marion County Building Authority Board of Trustees; and serves on various other entity Boards.
Carl L. Drummer, Vice Chairperson
Mr. Drummer serves as Senior Vice President and Co-Chair of Taft’s Public Affairs Strategies Group and lobbies in Indiana and Washington D.C. Mr. Drummer’s major lobbying efforts in Indianapolis include the Citizens Energy Group water purchase, the City’s parking meter deal, the soccer stadium, and mass transit. Mr. Drummer has been recognized in the Indianapolis Business Journal and the Indianapolis Star as an effective lobbyist. In 1996, Mr. Drummer was elected Center Township Trustee of Marion County, Indiana, after the Honorable Julia Carson was elected to the United States House of Representatives. At that time, Mr. Drummer was the youngest African American to hold a political office in Marion County. Mr. Drummer served as Deputy Trustee under Carson from 1991 to 1993. From 1993 to 1996, Mr. Drummer served as the Chief Deputy Constable at the Center Township Small Claims Court. As the Trustee of Center Township, Mr. Drummer managed a $12 million budget and approximately 100 employees. Mr. Drummer’s responsibilities included feeding and providing clothing and shelter for the underserved in Center Township. Mr. Drummer’s concern for the less fortunate keeps him searching for ways to improve the relief system, without increasing tax burdens for the taxpayers of Center Township. Mr. Drummer also has more than 20 years of experience in law enforcement.
Kelly A. Doucet
A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Ms. Doucet is a distinguished leader and advocate in the Indianapolis community. Ms. Doucet holds a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University and currently serves as the Director of Community Relations at the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership. In this role, Ms. Doucet leverages her extensive experience in hospitality and community engagement to foster leadership, relationship development, and expand access to housing opportunities for individuals and families. Ms. Doucet also serves as President of The Exchange at the Indianapolis Urban League, where she mobilizes young professionals aged 21 to 40 to support the Urban League’s mission through impactful programs and community outreach efforts. Ms. Doucet is a board member of the Indianapolis Urban League, an Advisory Board Member of the African-American Legacy Fund of Indianapolis, an at-large member of the Ball State University Alumni Council, and a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. A dedicated advocate for equitable opportunities and civic participation, Ms. Doucet has been recognized for her leadership with prestigious honors such as the 2023 Emerging Leader Award from the 100 Black Men of Indianapolis, the inaugural Mastermind Award from the United Negro College Fund of Indianapolis, and the Black Rising Star Award from InnoPower. Through her many roles, Ms. Doucet continues to inspire others with her commitment to leadership, service, and empowering the next generation of community changemakers.
Gary R. Fisch, M.D.
A native of Indianapolis, Dr. Fisch has been a practicing cardiologist in Indianapolis for 40 years. After graduating from the Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine and completing his Internal Medicine and Cardiology training at IU, Dr. Fisch went into private practice at Methodist Hospital. Dr. Fisch enjoyed his practice there and became Chairman of the Methodist Cardiology section and Co-Chairman when Methodist merged with IU Medical Center. While practicing at Methodist, Dr. Fisch received the Methodist Staff and Faculty Distinguished Teacher Award and the Methodist Hospital Emergency Room Distinguished Teacher Award. In 2000, Dr. Fisch closed his office and joined Indiana Heart Associates, and subsequently Heart Partners of Indiana. Dr. Fisch practiced at Community East, Community North, and Community Heart and Vascular Hospitals. When the Heart Partners joined the IU Medical Center Hospital systems, Dr. Fisch relocated to IU North Hospital where he practiced until retiring from cardiology in 2021. While practicing at IU North Hospital, Dr. Fisch achieved–based on patient satisfaction surveys–a rating of Patient Experience Champion within the cardiology section. Dr. Fisch also received the IU North Hospital Michael N. Tsangaris Distinguished Physician Service Award. Dr. Fisch has served on the Indianapolis Medical Society Board of Directors, is a Sagamore of the Wabash, and is a Kentucky Colonel. Dr. Fisch’s current work consists of evaluating veterans for service-connected medical disabilities.
Thomas Hanify
Mr. Hanify served as a firefighter at the Indianapolis Fire Department for 40 years, retiring in 2021. Mr. Hanify was President of the Indianapolis Professional Firefighters Local 416 for 10 years and since 2002, he has served as President of the Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana. Mr. Hanify also served on the Indiana Board of Firefighting Standards and the National Fire Protection Association 1710 Committee. Mr. Hanify is a Labor Management Alliance facilitator, teaching management and union leadership cooperative best practices. Mr. Hanify is a United States Army Veteran who first arrived in Indianapolis in the 1970’s to work at the Near Eastside Multiservice Center as a community organizer. Mr. Hanify loves his adopted city of Indianapolis and is a long time resident of the Chatham Arch neighborhood where he manages the Chatham Arch Community Garden.
Brenda S. Horn
An Indianapolis native, Ms. Horn is a retired partner of Ice Miller, practicing in its Municipal Finance Group for more than 35 years and serving in a variety of leadership roles, including managing partner. Ms. Horn has been a leader in developing the statutory authorization for a wide variety of financing entities at the state level, including the Health Facility Financing Authority Act, the Highway Revenue Bond Act, and the Public Private Partnership legislation for transportation projects. Ms. Horn has served on the board of directors of the National Association of Bond Lawyers, the American College of Bond Counsel, the Indianapolis Bar Association, the Healthcare Financial Management Association (Pressler Chapter), and the Women in Public Finance (Indiana Chapter). Ms. Horn has been recognized as a Super Lawyer (including recognition in the Top 25 Women), Best Lawyers in America by the Indianapolis Business Journal as an Influential Woman, and Who’s Who in Law. The Indianapolis Bar Association recognized Ms. Horn in its Nod to Professionalism for lending her leadership skills to various community organizations for the betterment of Indianapolis. Ms. Horn has also received the Community Service Award from the Mayor of Indianapolis and the Hoosier Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award. Ms. Horn currently serves on the board of directors of the Arts Council of Indianapolis, the Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media/WFYI, and the Indiana Repertory Theater. Ms. Horn has also served at numerous other community organizations in board and leadership roles. Ms. Horn is a graduate of the Diversity Leadership Academy of Greater Indianapolis and is a past member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity.
Mike O’Brien
Mr. O’Brien has counseled clients on legislative and executive branch matters and served as a political advisor to candidates and elected officials since 2002. Mr. O’Brien joined 1816 Government Solutions in 2016 and was instrumental in building the firm’s impressive client roster and formidable presence in the Statehouse. Mr. O’Brien was named President of 1816 Public Affairs Group LLC in 2020. When 1816 merged in 2024 with KWK Management Group, Mr. O’Brien was elected the team’s Managing Partner. In 2005, Mr. O’Brien served as Legislative Director to Governor Mitch Daniels, helping the governor achieve the creation of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the lease of the Indiana Toll Road, and the adoption of Daylight Saving Time. Mr. O’Brien also previously worked as Vice President with Bose Public Affairs Group and as Senior Public Policy Advisor with Barnes & Thornburg. Mr. O’Brien has also been active at the senior level of Republican politics in Indiana for over two decades. Mr. O’Brien served two terms as Chairman of the Hendricks County Republican Party and later served as Chairman of the 4th Congressional District. Mr. O’Brien appears weekly on WFYI’s Indiana Week in Review as the Republican panelist. Mr. O’Brien graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
