Luminaries return to campus each year to share their advice, insights, and perspective on leading successful, meaningful lives. In doing so, the Luminaries model the ways in which a liberal arts education can lead to many different careers and forms of success.
2024 College Luminaries
Spring 2024 Luminaries
Jimmie L. McMillian
Chief diversity officer and senior corporate counsel, Penske Entertainment Corp.
Jimmie McMillian (B.A. '98, Political Science) proudly serves as chief diversity officer and senior corporate counsel for Penske Entertainment Corp. The company is comprised of INDYCAR, IMS Productions, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.
As chief diversity officer, McMillian leads diversity and inclusion efforts across Penske Entertainment Corp. He’s also charged with implementing key pillars of Race for Equality & Change, an initiative to provide opportunities for underrepresented women and men in the motorsports industry and open wheel racing.
As senior corporate counsel,McMillian’s work comprises a variety of legal matters, including managing litigation and legal risks, drafting new event and facility contracts, and vendor and sponsorship agreements.
In addition to his degree from the College, McMillian is a graduate of the Robert McKinney Indiana University School of Law. He proudly serves as a board member for Marion County Public Defender’s Agency, the United Way of Central Indiana, the Indianapolis Urban League, and the Miracle Ride. More than a simple hobby, McMillian also serves as President of 317 Ryders Motorcycle Club. He has served as a leader in local, state, and national bar associations and has served as the chair of The Racing Attorneys Conference.
McMillian has shown a tireless commitment to improve the lives of young people and motivate them to succeed despite life’s various obstacles through his outstanding leadership and mentorship of others. As a passionate motorcycle, sports car, and racing enthusiast, McMillian truly enjoys the ability to live his dream of working at the “World’s Greatest Racetrack.”
McMillian lives in Indianapolis with his wife Lisa, their four children, and five grandchildren.
Max Yoder
Entrepreneur and author
Max Yoder (B.A. '10, IMP: Brand Management and Advertising) is the co-founder and former CEO of Lessonly, an Indianapolis-based training software company.
Yoder and his friends co-founded Lessonly in 2012. The company grew to 300 employees and $30 million in annual revenue before it was acquired by Seismic in 2021.
He's also the author of Do Better Work: Finding clarity, camaraderie, and progress in work and life, which New York Times best-selling author Jay Baer called, "Devastatingly effective, and a must-read for business leaders with a soul."
Yoder lives in Indianapolis.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the Luminaries Program, either as an interested student or alum, please e-mail Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement Haley Russ.