Janet Foutty and the Janet Foutty/Deloitte Foundation Leadership Scholarship recipients. From left, Aria Oakley, Ashlee Wahl, Foutty, Syndi Artis and Daniella Hall.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – During her initial visit to the Indiana University Kelley School of Business as Poling Chair of Business and Government, Kelley alumna Janet Foutty, met four women who hope to follow in her footsteps.
Helping them to begin their career path is support in the form of the Janet Foutty/Deloitte Foundation Leadership Scholarship, which was established in Foutty’s honor by the Deloitte Foundation in recognition of Foutty’s outstanding leadership contributions as the former chair of the Deloitte US board.
Foutty, also former chair and CEO of Deloitte Consulting, is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion; women in technology; and the need for STEM education. This scholarship is consistent with her lifelong support for these matters.
“I’m honored the Deloitte Foundation established this scholarship in my name in support of building up the next generation of diverse leaders and advancing equity in education,” said Foutty. “The Kelley School opened doors for me, and I believe in holding the door open for others, so nothing makes me prouder than being able to contribute in meaningful ways to the development of future business professionals.”
The Janet Foutty/Deloitte Foundation Leadership Scholarship was established to support academically meritorious students at the Kelley School of Business. In selecting the recipients, the University gives special consideration to students who have financial need and/or students with diverse cultural experiences. It is renewable as long as recipients meet certain academic requirements.
The initial recipients are:
- Sydni Artis, a freshman finance major from Lees Summit, Mo., and a graduate of Lees Summit West High School.
- Daniella Hall, a freshman marketing major from Oak Lawn, Ill., and a graduate of Mother McAuley High School.
- Aria Oakley, a freshman finance major from Houston, Texas and a graduate of Ridge Point High School.
- Ashlee Wahl, a sophomore accounting major from Huntingburg, Ind., and a graduate of Southridge High School.
Foutty had a breakfast discussion with the scholarship recipients, who left the experience feeling even more emboldened to be curious, raise their hand for team leader opportunities, hone their communication skills, and most importantly enjoy the journey – some of the practical advice Janet shared with the group from personal experience.
“Janet’s personal experience serves as a source of motivation and inspiration,” Oakley said. “The time spent together also created a sense of relatability and connection, as we know that she understands our challenges and can empathize with our journey.”
“Having the encouragement of Janet and knowing how impactful her work is serves as an inspiration to me as a woman in business and an aspiring leader,” Hall added. “Being able to hear about her personal experience firsthand will prove to be a cornerstone in my education at Kelley and beyond.”
While chair at Deloitte, Foutty focused on critical matters of strategy, risk management and talent and DEI for the organization, which attained gender parity on its board during her tenure.
Foutty also is a co-author of a bestselling book, “Arrive and Thrive: 7 Impactful Practices for Women Navigating Leadership,” and is focused on applying her leadership experience and passionate advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion; women in leadership; and the need for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education through investing her time across non-profit, public policy, business, and academia.
The Poling Chair was established in 1993 by the late Harold “Red” Poling, a Kelley School alumnus and Ford Motor Co. chairman and CEO for nearly a decade. Poling Chair recipients are given the charge to stimulate discussion in the areas of leadership, the critical interactions between private business and government in matters of public policy, enterprise competitiveness and economic growth.
Hall said she appreciates opportunities the Kelley School offers, including those coming through the Poling Chair visits.
“The valuable connections and opportunities that the Kelley School of Business has provided me with already is unparalleled, and I am only a first-year student,” Hall said. “The IU Kelley School of Business opens so many doors for students every day, and this opportunity is a prime example. Whether it is through the Kelley Office of Diversity Initiatives, the Conrad Prebys Career Services Center, or countless other resources, I feel that I am able to find opportunities and support within Kelley.”
Janet Foutty and the scholarship recipients were joined by Kelley School leadership. On far left are associate deans Robert Thomas and Rebecca Slotegraaf. On the right is Dean Ash Soni and Executive Associate Dean Josh Perry.