EmployIndy’s Company Culture Cohort for Choice Employers supported organizations across industries as they worked to strengthen workplace culture. The program focused on engagement, retention, trust, leadership, recognition, and respect—helping employers align company culture with job quality through intentional, measurable strategies.
Designed to help organizations assess and shape their workplace culture, the cohort included Connor Painting, EnPower Inc., and Lutheran Family and Child Services. Sessions encouraged employers to focus on one or two priority goals rather than attempting broad change all at once, and featured expert guest speakers and practical, relevant content. Up to three staff members per company participated, with meals and materials provided.
Lutheran Family and Child Services shared how the cohort supported its efforts to align workplace culture with its mission-driven values of being, belonging, and becoming. Through coaching and peer learning, the organization reinforced practices aimed at helping staff feel supported, valued and encouraged to grow, strengthening trust and leadership across the agency.
EnPower Inc., a U.S.-based lithium-ion battery startup, highlighted how the cohort helped guide intentional culture-building during a period of organizational growth. By participating in cohort discussions and using shared tools, EnPower explored ways to elevate employee voice, strengthen recognition and apply feedback to future engagement strategies.
During an open forum portion of a session, one participating employer said, “I just want to say how happy I am to be part of this cohort. It’s been so informative already, and I’m excited for this year of coaching.”
By combining expert guidance, peer learning and focused goal-setting, EmployIndy’s Company Culture Cohort helped employers strengthen workplace culture and invest in long-term success.
EmployIndy’s Choice Employers program works with businesses to give them hands-on support to improve the areas that matter most to their workforce, with an emphasis on good wages, culture & equity, employee supports, and career pathways. Last year, EmployIndy invested $23.5 million in expanding access, improving job quality, and advancing workers through employer partnerships, with $5.81 million in increased wages through our Good Wages Initiative.
Interested in participating in a future Company Culture Cohort?
Contact Lora Steele, Director of Business Consulting, at [email protected].
Indiana’s new high school graduation requirements are ushering in a new era of career readiness, and the hospitality industry is stepping up to lead the way.
Under the state’s mandate requiring 75 hours of work-based learning for students pursuing the Honors Enrollment Seal Plus diploma, industry leaders, led by the Indiana Tourism Association, have come together to create a structured, meaningful experience designed to prepare students for real-world success.
The collaborative effort—made up of tourism and hospitality organizations across the state—aims to introduce high school students to the dynamic hospitality industry through hands-on learning. The group’s draft framework outlines a flexible, community-driven and career-focused program that exposes students to multiple facets of the industry.
What’s in the plan?
The proposed program emphasizes several key components:
- Rotational experiences: Students will complete no fewer than 20 hours in key sectors such as hotels, restaurants, attractions, destination marketing and event management.
- Industry orientation: A kickoff session will introduce students to tourism’s statewide structure, customer service fundamentals and career pathways.
- Real-world skills: From shadowing hotel front desk staff to assisting with event setups, students will experience workplace culture and responsibilities firsthand.
- Capstone reflection: An optional final project will encourage students to synthesize their learning and showcase their growth.
Why it matters
Work-based learning is more than a requirement—it serves as a bridge between education and employment. By engaging students early, industries such as hospitality can:
- Build a pipeline of skilled, motivated talent.
- Strengthen community connections by demonstrating how tourism supports local economies.
- Help students make informed decisions about future education and career paths.
What’s next
The group is actively refining evaluation rubrics and developing implementation toolkits, including application templates, partner expectations and hour-tracking logs. Community rollout will involve identifying lead coordinators, partnering with local schools and creating onboarding resources for participating organizations.
This initiative goes beyond compliance to emphasize collaboration. By working together, industry partners are helping ensure Indiana students graduate not only with diplomas but with meaningful, career-relevant experiences.
Organizations interested in shaping Indiana’s future workforce are encouraged to get involved. To learn more, contact Sam Foist, Manager, Business Partnerships, at [email protected].
