INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Claire Nieshalla Neuman, a fresh, new face on the scene of venture capital and entrepreneurship, joins the Venture Club of Indiana in its efforts to help investors and innovators succeed in the Hoosier state. Growing Indiana’s entrepreneurship ecosystem by fostering a business-friendly environment attractive to founders and investors is the Club’s core mission – members benefit from an extensive network of relationships and resources from all corners of the state.

“The opportunity to connect the state’s greatest risk-takers with one another is what invigorates my work at the Venture Club; it is the reason our Club will celebrate 40 years of faithful impact among its members and beyond,” Neuman said. “I am excited about offering new ideas, while preserving the institutional knowledge of the Venture Club through building relationships with investors, business, and student leaders across the state.”

Claire is a cross-functional leader and ideal team player who will be a valuable resource for the Club’s members and stakeholders. As a 22-year-old, she has contributed an impressive amount of diverse impact in communications, marketing, public relations, project management and customer experience. She brings advanced knowledge and skills developed through past work with industry leaders in nonprofit and corporate including the Boone County Economic Development Corporation (BooneEDC), Compassion International, and Southwest Airlines.

Her achievements have opened doors to utilize her skills in ways that empower others. During Claire’s time at the BooneEDC, she helped launch the Propel Program, a financial assistance loan available to startups and small businesses in response to COVID-19. At Compassion, she championed the customer’s journey experience alongside an accomplished team through projects in customer design and user experience. Most recently, she is fond of her time with Southwest Airlines’ Community Outreach team mobilizing volunteerism and employee impact.

Claire also worked for a successful state-wide political campaign and pioneered a community project in response to the opioid crisis, which won the highest MarCom Award, an international competition for marketing and communications professionals.

Venture Club board members interviewed five candidates in a speed dating format throughout the Orr Fellowship Finalist day on November 18. The search concluded that evening by offering Neuman the position of the club’s first ever Executive Director.

“Hiring Claire as the Executive Director will widen our reach and deepen our impact as she champions connections through the club’s membership platform and leads programming initiatives for the goal of optimizing the density of Indiana’s investor-entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Aaron Gillum, President of the Venture Club and Senior Vice President in the Private Equity Group at 50 South Capital Advisors.
Claire assumed her responsibilities on June 20. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Public Relations and Marketing from Taylor University and is currently continuing her personal and professional development through the Orr Fellowship.

This role is just in time for the Club’s 15th annual Innovation Showcase on July 13th. The event offers a powerful platform for entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators to present their ideas, products, and services to a coveted audience including investors and industry professionals. Registration is open and available for all who wish to attend. For more information on the Innovation Showcase, or to purchase a ticket, click here.

About Venture Club
The Venture Club of Indiana is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and investors succeed. It is a member-based, volunteer-led organization and has thrived on the ideas and efforts of our members since its inception in 1984. As a catalyst for increased investing in Indiana businesses, the Venture Club of Indiana creates opportunities for regular networking, education and information sharing through its programs, seminars, and monthly luncheon meetings. For more information visit www.ventureclub.org.