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Mike Thibideau serves as  the President & CEO of the Hamilton County Economic Development Corporation (dba Invest Hamilton County). In this role Mike manages workforce development, talent attraction and quality of life initiatives throughout Hamilton County.

Prior to joining HCEDC Mike served as Director of the Indiana Workforce Recovery initiative, a partnership between the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the administration of Governor Eric Holcomb to help employers retain talent struggling with substance misuse and/or mental health concerns, and Executive Director of the Indiana Construction Roundtable.

Mike graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Public Policy & Public Administration and is currently enrolled at the O’Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs at IUPUI. He is a board member of the Indiana Recovery Council, Region 5 Workforce Board, Indiana Commission for Vocational Rehabilitation and has spoken at the White House on non-traditional job seeker pathways and employer supports for substance use disorder. Mike lives in Carmel, IN with his wife, Elizabeth, daughters, Hazel and Cecelia, and two cats. In his free time he enjoys golf, cosplay, and Michigan State Basketball.

Carrie Lively is the Founding Executive Director of the Hamilton County Center for Career Achievement. Carrie comes to the position with more than 15 years’ experience in secondary education, including 11 years of school administration, national CTE policy leadership, and knowledge of Indiana’s CTE programming. Prior to her role with Hamilton County, Lively served as the Senior Director of Indiana’s Office of Work-Based Learning & Apprenticeship, which was established in 2018 by the Department of Workforce Development as part of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s NextLevel agenda. Carrie has spent the majority of her career dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for both students and adults across the State of Indiana.

Carrie has worked in the public education system as a teacher, school counselor and school administrator, focusing her efforts on improving education and ensuring equitable access for all students. She has deliberately focused her intentions on expanding educational opportunities that provide students with real-world application of the skills they are learning in the classroom. Carrie has had statewide success in the development and expansion of robust public-private partnerships that connect students with their post-high school aspirations.

Carrie serves on several local, state, and national policy advisory boards that advocate for the connection of transferable skills and classroom learning for students across the country. She is a former Ball State University student-athlete and coach, and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Carrie is currently pursuing her Doctorate with the University of Wisconsin.

Kurt Cantlon is the Deputy Director of the Pursuit Institute. Prior to joining The Pursuit Insititute, Kurt worked in Career and Technical Education as the Director for Wildcat Creek Career Cooperative.  Over the course of his career, Kurt has worked with youth from all different situations and backgrounds throughout Central Indiana.  He started his career as a probation officer and worked in mental health prior to becoming a school counselor.  He has worked in education for the past 14 years as a counselor and administrator. 

As Director for Wildcat Creek Career Cooperative Kurt worked to expand programming options for students, build partnerships with industry, and provide students opportunities to gain hands on experiences in career fields of interest.  He has worked, both as a counselor and administrator, with students to encourage being intentional and active participants in planning for their future through the courses and experiences that they select.  Along with industry partners like Frito Lay, Kurt worked to develop relationships with city and county government, economic development, not-for-profit organizations like Bauer Family Resources and United Way, and Ivy Tech Community College to drive career development for students. 

Kurt is a graduate of Westfield High School and lives in Hamilton County with his wife and 2 boys.  His wife works for Sheridan High School and his boys attend Hamilton Heights Schools.  He received his undergraduate degree from Hanover College.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Counselor Education from IUPUI and he completed his Administration License coursework through Purdue University. 

Jill Doyle serves as the Communications & Special Projects Senior Manager for the Hamilton County Economic Development Corporation (dba Invest Hamilton County).

Prior to joining Invest Hamilton County, Jill served as the Executive Director of the Hamilton County Leadership Academy (HCLA) and as the Executive Assistant for Board & Stakeholder Relations for Westfield Washington Schools. She has a record of relationship building, community engagement, program development and event planning experience to further organizational missions. Jill also spent thirteen years with the Indiana CPA Society serving in a number of member facing, continuing education and leadership development roles.

Jill is an Indiana native and proud Butler University graduate. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Publlic & Corporate Communications and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from IUPUI. She and her husband live in Westfield, IN and have two daughters. She is a founding member of the Women of Westfield (WOW) and serves as the Secretary of the City of Westfield’s Redevelopment Commission (RDC). She is an active volunteer with Open Doors Food Pantry. In her free time, she enjoys spending time boating on Morse Reservoir, taking in live music at many of the Hamilton County area venues, yoga and spending time with family and friends.