Indy Maven’s 2026 Women to Watch list celebrates a powerful group of women who are navigating growth, embracing pivots, and responding to a renewed desire for meaningful, in-person connection. At a time when change is constant and community matters more than ever, these leaders are evolving their work in bold ways—launching new ventures, reimagining existing paths, and creating spaces where people can gather, belong, and thrive.
Across industries including entrepreneurship, arts and culture, education, healthcare, and community building, this year’s honorees reflect resilience, adaptability, and forward momentum. Their leadership is shaping the next chapter of Indianapolis—one defined not just by innovation, but by connection, collaboration, and the power of showing up together.
Monica Wehby, MD, FAANS, FACS
Monica Wehby, MD is a double boarded Pediatric Neurosurgeon at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, partner at Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, and Asst Clinical Prof at Marian University, College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Wehby is internationally recognized for her expertise in spina bifida and tethered spinal cord. A mother of four, she also volunteers as a board member on several non-profits, including Ronald McDonald House Charities and Indiana Make-a-Wish Board Chair.
Plans for 2026: Dr. Wehby is launching Cushie Tushie in March 2026 — an innovative infant car seat insert she designed to help protect a baby’s spine and make the car seat more comfortable — sign up for updates at www.cushietushie.com!
Connect with Monica on LinkedIn: here
Alissa Moody
Alissa Moody is a born-and-raised Indianapolis entrepreneur, community builder, and creative advocate. She is the co-founder of Create Art Studio in Broad Ripple, a process-based art space that welcomes artists of all ages and fosters connection through creativity. Alissa is also the founder of Create Custom Travel, a boutique travel advisory launched in 2022 that curates highly personalized, culture-forward travel experiences.
Alissa currently serves on the board of Love, Broad Ripple, an organization founded by local business owners to support and promote Broad Ripple Village. Through initiatives like Third Thursdays, a monthly community event highlighting local artists, musicians, and merchants, she helps bring energy, creativity, and connection to one of Indianapolis’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
Plans for 2026: In 2026, her focus is on intentional growth rooted in community values, expanding Create Art Studio through enhanced youth programming, partnerships with local artists and art therapists, and increased off-site and community-based offerings across Indianapolis. Alongside this, she will continue growing Create Custom Travel with business partner Carrie Franzo, designing meaningful, experience-driven trips that highlight national parks, culture, and authentic connection. She also remains deeply committed to Broad Ripple Village through her role on the Love, Broad Ripple board, working to expand inclusive events that celebrate local creatives, welcome all ages, and support the small businesses that define the neighborhood.
Connect with Alissa: www.createartstudioindy.com
Milana Grozdanich
Milana Grozdanich is a biopharma strategist and community advocate who brings a people-first lens to healthcare and civic impact in Indianapolis. She serves as Vice Chair of the Newfields Board of Governors and on the Versiti Blood Center of Indiana Community Advisory Board. Over 14 years at Eli Lilly and Company, Milana has helped translate scientific innovation into meaningful patient outcomes across neuroscience, oncology, and diabetes. She is known for her ability to catalyze growth and collaboration.
Plans for 2026: In 2026, she looks ahead to Lilly’s 150th anniversary while deepening cross-functional efforts to elevate the company’s work in cardiometabolic health, including leading a team at the Indy Heart Walk to support cardiovascular awareness and the American Heart Association. Beyond work, she remains committed to community impact through volunteering with Versiti and Newfields, helping invite more people to experience the arts, nature, and year-round events across Newfields’ campuses in Indianapolis and Columbus.
Connect with Milana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milanag/
Elizabeth Vi Simpson, DMD
Elizabeth Simpson is a general dentist from Indianapolis. After several years as full-time faculty at Indiana University School of Dentistry, she has recently returned to patient care focusing her career on treating patients in underserved communities and striving to create an experience for them in the dental chair that can change their feelings about the dentist. As much as she loves doing treatment, she is passionate about educating patients on their nutritional and oral hygiene habits to empower them to create new habits and change old habits for better outcomes. She is formerly the chair of the Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention for the American Dental Association and has spoken on numerous panels and podcasts on a range of topics including age one dental visits to increasing diversity in dentistry. She has completed three leadership programs through the American Dental Association, Indiana Dental Association and Indiana University at Indianapolis.
Plans for 2026: Elizabeth is excited to take her first dental mission trip to Kenya with her church and looks forward to co-leading a small group of young women at Traders Point. She is also eager to continue her work as a medical reviewer for Everyday Health and to collaborate with the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health and the American Dental Association on content focused on maternal and infant oral health.
Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram: @prof.doc.lizvi
Alexis Cummings
After spending 18 years as a stay-at-home mother raising seven children alongside her supportive husband, Alexis is stepping into a new chapter as an entrepreneur. With encouragement from her family and community, she has transformed a lifelong passion of reading into a thoughtfully curated bookstore called New Romantics Book Bar and is excited to bring this dream to life in Carmel.
Plans for 2026: Opening in Spring 2026, New Romantics Book Bar is a woman-run concept that blends the comfort of a neighborhood bookshop with the indulgence of a wine bar, intentionally created to give women uninterrupted time for themselves. Centered on celebrating romance novels and paired with wine, cocktails, lattes, and curated bites, New Romantics aims to become a welcoming community where women can slow down, reconnect, and enjoy pleasure and storytelling without guilt or apology.
Connect with Alexis: newromanticsind@gmail.com
Hannah Fleck
Hannah Fleck is the President and Principal Engineer of Gaia Blueprint, a sustainability-focused consulting firm she founded in 2024 to support owners, architects, engineers, and contractors in delivering high-performance, environmentally responsible projects. With degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Urban Planning, she brings a systems-based approach to integrating environmental stewardship into site and building design and operations. Hannah is a former Board Chair of U.S. Green Building Council Indiana and a frequent speaker and writer on embodied carbon and high-performance design.
Plans for 2026: This year includes teaching a course at IU’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, along with speaking at the Midwest Climate Summit in Cleveland and a local AIA event. Hannah remains active with Indy Maven and USGBC Indiana and can often be found at Green Drinks Indy on the second Tuesday of each month, while also looking forward to summer concerts and warm nights under the stars.
Connect with Hannah here: www.gaiablueprint.com
Mudia Ogbeifun
Mudia Ogbeifun, founder of MudiaCaters LLC, is a community builder who blends her background in food science with wellness innovation to help individuals take ownership of their health. MudiaCaters is a wellness-driven food content and lifestyle company that focuses on both physical and mental well-being. Her work provides support through community initiatives, food literacy resources, and culturally attuned wellness programming. Mudia leverages her current journey of overcoming obesity to uplift others creating relatable and inspiring approach to food, mindset, and sustainable habits.
Looking ahead to 2026, Mudia is positioning MudiaCaters for exponential growth and strategic partnerships that will expand its reach and deepen its impact. This includes new collaborations with organizations, expanded community programming, and innovative digital and in-person wellness experiences. Mudia is excited about 2026 as a pivotal season of scale, alignment, and influence.
Connect with Mudia on socials here: @mudiacaters (instagram, tiktok, and youtube)
Pam Lozano
Pam Lozano has dedicated the past nine years to serving youth and families through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis, where she currently serves as Director of Development. In this role, she works at the intersection of development, marketing, and storytelling to build meaningful partnerships that expand access, opportunity, and lasting impact for Club members and their families. Through strategic collaboration with community partners, athletes, and brands, she helps transform mission-driven moments into sustainable support that strengthens both the Clubs and the communities they serve.
Plans for 2026: In 2026, Pam is focused on expanding youth-centered opportunities shaped by the voices of Indianapolis young people, building partnerships that provide mentorship, career exposure, creative outlets, and supportive spaces. By strengthening connections with local resources, she aims to create clearer pathways for youth to thrive beyond the organization, moving from moments to momentum to ensure lasting, meaningful impact.
Connect with Pam on instagram: @alemap1985
Eve Keller
Eve Keller is a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur, community builder, and visionary founder bringing The Sports Bra Indy to life as a space that celebrates women’s sports, amplifies equity, and strengthens belonging in Indianapolis. As the co-owner of Magic Peacock Impact Inc., Eve is leading the city’s first women’s-sports-focused restaurant and bar while championing partnerships that elevate visibility for women athletes and their loyal fans.
A longtime leadership development trainer, board leader, and LGBTQ+ advocate, Eve serves as Co-President of USA Prides and is deeply committed to creating safe, joyful, and opportunity-rich environments for communities across the country. She is also a licensed REALTOR® with Compass Indiana, insurance educator, FEMA reservist, and keynote speaker.
Plans for 2026: In 2026, Eve is focused on bringing The Sports Bra Indy to life in downtown Indianapolis, opening a women’s sports bar designed as a gathering space rooted in belonging, visibility, and pride. Alongside the launch, she is advancing MORE Natural Helpers, a youth empowerment program centered on peer support, leadership, and mental health resilience, with plans to reintroduce it in Indiana schools and expand its digital reach. She will continue national leadership with USA Prides, grow her speaking platform on allyship and leadership, and remain committed to building inclusive spaces, elevating women’s sports, and driving community-centered change.
Connect with Eve on IG: @thesportsbraindy
Ashley Bridges
Ashley Bridges, wife and proud mom of two boys, is a passionate advocate for women’s growth and economic empowerment with over a decade in finance. As Build Fund Portfolio Manager at Intend Indiana, she helps entrepreneurs—especially women—access capital, build confidence, and turn ideas into sustainable businesses. Since 2021, she has coached and mentored dozens of women, guiding them to clarify goals, step into purpose, and grow personally and professionally, leading with intention, heart, and strategy to strengthen both women and communities.
Plans in 2026: After a transformative 2025, marked by growth, reflection, and recognition through the ASAT Up and Coming Award and CLD Up and Coming Achiever Award, she enters 2026 with bold intention. Her focus is on showing up with purpose for both community and family, growing as a wife and mother, and maintaining balance and presence at home. She will continue advocating for women, expanding her leadership through speaking engagements and mentorship, and exploring new professional and board opportunities. 2026 is poised to be a season of alignment, courage, and meaningful growth.
Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn: here
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