InspireHER Honorees

1. Kelly Marburger Novak

Kelly Marburger Novak joined EF Marburger Fine Flooring in 2000. She did not initially plan to be part of the family business. After finishing her Bachelors Degree at Indiana University, she moved to Los Angeles. She loved the LA lifestyle and worked at a record label followed by a talent agency.

However, after a couple of years, she felt the draw to come back to her roots and explore her family’s legacy. The EF in EF Marburger were the initials of Kelly’s great grandfather Eli. He started the company in 1913. Her father Ronald was president when she started working at the company. Kelly began doing small residential projects while learning the flooring business. She attended flooring seminars, met with manufacturer reps, and acquired knowledge from her father Ron and her sister Kim.

Kelly’s artistic background and outgoing personality proved beneficial to assisting clients with their design choices. As her knowledge progressed, she began doing larger sized projects. She has helped design countless homes over 10,000 sf and one house was nearly 30,000 sf. This included floors, countertops, and several bathrooms. Kelly joined the Fishers Chamber of Commerce in 2003 and eventually became chairman of the board of directors in 2012.

When her father decided to retire in 2018, Kelly bought the company and became President. Over the years, Kelly and her sister Kim have tried to uphold the instilled core values of the company, while still focusing on innovation in a dynamic field. Kelly lives in Fishers with her husband Thomas and their two children, Xander and Quentin. Thomas also works at the firm as a field superintendent. They spend their free time hiking, boating, fishing, and vacationing as a family to new destinations.

2. Nichole Freije

Nichole Freije is the owner and operator of Freije Brands, a boutique marketing and advertising agency, with a focus on Indiana-based clients. After success in real estate and media industries, Nichole founded Freije Brands in 2016. She saw the need for professional marketing and advertising for clients based in Indiana, serving Indiana residents.

Nearly 10 years later, Nichole’s vision is a reality as Freije Brands serves clients such as the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana, Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership and Indiana Donor Network.

Nichole volunteers for her church and school, serving on the school commission and co-chairing the annual trivia night fundraiser with her husband Joe. Nichole and Joe love spending time with their three daughters going to Butler basketball games and Indiana’s state parks.

3. Julie Roe Lach

Julie Roe Lach has been involved with college athletics for over 25 years. She was named Horizon League Commissioner January 1, 2021. Julie oversees all League functions with special emphasis on strategic planning, membership, television, basketball strategies, championships, finances, and NCAA governance/compliance. Prior to being named Commissioner,

Julie joined the Horizon League in 2014 as Deputy Commissioner. Lach worked at the NCAA for over 15 years, most recently serving as the vice president of enforcement from October 2010 to February 2013. After leaving the NCAA, Julie founded JRL Consulting which merged with CCHA Collegiate Consulting where Lach currently serves as Of Counsel with the CCHA Sports Law practice. CCHA represents institutions and individuals on any type of NCAA matter, offers NCAA education and assessments of compliance practices in athletic departments and provides representation of individuals and coaches in contract and employment matters. Key Horizon League Accomplishments:  Negotiated ESPN contract extension increasing commercial assets available to members and overall financial commitment  Negotiated basketball championships extension with the Indiana State Fair Commission resulting in a seven-year run in Indianapolis (the longest yet for the League)  Moved sponsorship sales in-house and set year-over-year sales records, including a title sponsor for the Basketball Championships in 2022  Led effort to overhaul League governance structure resulting in student-athlete, SWA and FAR voice and vote alongside athletics directors  Initiated first-ever League mental health grant committing $550,000 for member institutions’ use to serve the needs of student-athletes  Launched the inaugural Coach John McLendon Day and launched McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative fellowship in the League office  Signed League-wide Opendorse deal to promote student-athlete opportunities in NIL space with included launching the first conference-wide NIL marketplace in Division I  Led effort for first-ever League-wide WeCoach partnership to support recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches Lach earned her undergraduate degree from Millikin University where she was an All-American women’s basketball student-athlete and graduated summa cum laude also earning Academic All-American honors. Lach is a Trustee Emeritus after serving on Millikin’s Board of Trustees from 2001-2010. Lach attended the evening division of Indiana University McKinney School of Law, graduating cum laude. Awards and Recognition:  IU McKinney School of Law Alumna of the year (2022)  Indiana 250, developed and published by IBJ Media, the parent company of three news brands—Indianapolis Business Journal, Inside INdiana Business and Indiana Lawyer (2022-inaugural class, 2023 and 2024)  Women Leaders Nike Executive of the Year (2022)  IBJ Forty Under 40 (2010)  Inducted into Millikin University’s Athletics Hall of Fame (2002)  CoSIDA’s Academic All-America Hall of Fame (2009)  Honorary Doctorate from Millikin after serving as the Commencement Speaker in 2012 NCAA Leadership:  Serves on Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee.  Chaired the Women’s Basketball Ad Hoc Recruiting Committee, which was responsible for overhauling the recruiting calendar and ultimately developed and implemented the first-ever “shutdown” period for coaches.  Serves on the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Board of Directors as the NCAA Division I Commissioner Director.https://wbca.org/about/press-releases/wbcaboard-directors-welcomes-new-members-during-person-summer-meeting Community Leadership:  Chair of the Indiana Sports Commission Board of Directors and formerly chaired the Strategy and Events Committee.  Former chair and current member of the IU McKinney School of Law Board of Visitors and previously served as president of McKinney’s Alumni Association.  Recently completed a six-year term on the Board of Directors of WeCoach, a national non-profit organization founded to recruit and retain women coaches.  Served on the Fundraising Committee for Family Promise of Hamilton County, a nonprofit focused on helping homeless families find stable, long-term housing.  Served on Parish Council at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church where she attends with her family. Lach is married to David Lach, a Vice-President with Cripe Architects and Engineers in Indianapolis. They have two daughters, Halle and Harper.

4. Sarah Myer

Sarah Myer is Chief of Staff & Strategy at Indiana Sports Corp where she has served since April of 2019.

A Cleveland, Ohio native, Myer graduated from Butler University in 2006 with a BA in Journalism, Public Relations and a minor in Media Arts.

At Indiana Sports Corp, Myer provides strategic guidance and operational leadership to support the organization in fulfilling its mission of impacting the community through sports. Myer also most recently served as the Event Director of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming event in 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium. In addition, Myer was a producer of “Made for this Moment: An Indiana Sports Corp Story,” a documentary of the history of the sports strategy in Indianapolis and how it set up the community to host the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.

Prior to her time at Indiana Sports Corp, Myer served as Vice President of Marketing for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. In this role, Myer managed the Marketing & Communications team while overseeing all marketing campaigns promoting 200+ concerts. Ticket sales increased 66% during Myer’s tenure.

Myer currently serves on the boards of Leadership Indianapolis and Downtown Indy, in addition to teaching classes at numerous local YMCAs. She was awarded the 2020 United Way Community Ambassador Elevate Award, was part of the 2021 IBJ Forty Under 40 Class, and was named a 2024 IBJ Woman of Influence. She currently resides in the near eastside neighborhood of Indy with her husband Jaden and loves to explore local concerts, festivals, sporting events, restaurants, and breweries – and is always in search of the perfect soft pretze

5. Samantha DePrez:

A Ft. Wayne native (by way of Cincinnati, OH and Rochester, NY), DePrez grew up in a radio family. She graduated from Ball State University in 2010 with a degree in Telecommunications, Sales and Promotion and joined Curb Records that same year as Promotions Coordinator before rising to her current position of Director, Midwest Promotion in 2016.

Recently celebrating her 15-year anniversary with Curb Records, she has been influential in the radio airplay chart success of both the label’s past artists – Tim McGraw and LeAnn Rimes – and the label’s current roster, including record-breaking artist Lee Brice, established hitmaker Rodney Atkins, rising superstar Dylan Scott and breakthrough newcomer Kelsey Hart.

DePrez relocated from Nashville to Indianapolis in 2019 to be closer to her family and friends, and she can confidently say it was the best decision she ever made.

6. Ann Richards

Ann started out as a theatre major in college then quickly switched to psychology. While still in school she started doing voice over work and that turned into a career in advertising. Ann was the co-owner of an ad agency for 8 years. Then the co-owner of a writing and production studio for fifteen years. During those years she wrote ten personalized children’s books and co-authored two exercise and nutrition books. But it was when she found her way into radio that she found her true calling. Because, thru radio, she could share positive information to many people. And that is what she focuses most on Monday thru Friday 10am thru 2pm on B105.7.

She also enjoys performing with local theatre groups because that too is her way of spreading more positive energy into our community.

7. Kim Marburger

Kim Marburger knows her flooring. Growing up in the family business, she knew it was her calling. Her Great Grandfather started EF Marburger & Son, Inc. in 1913. She loved listening to the stories that her Grandfather and Father shared with her about the business, and through those stories, she learned the importance of building and maintaining relationships. Kim joined the firm full time after graduating from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. Despite endless hours of training, seminars, conferences, visits to manufacturing facilities, she admits that she learned most of her lessons the hard way- experiencing job challenges and finding solutions. Her ability to solve problems and build relationships are just a few reasons why Kim is one of the leading experts in the flooring industry; and she takes great pride in the projects she’s completed throughout her career spanning nearly forty years. She has been a major part of some of the most exciting projects EF Marburger has completed, including the JW Marriots in Indianapolis and Charlotte NC. Plant Riverside JW Marriott in Savannah GA, and numerous schools, hotels, office buildings, and YMCA facilities, Kim paused her career in the 1990s to make additions to her family. She is the proud Momma of Connor Mullen, who is a member of the Marburger team (5th Generation), and twin daughters Ashley and Brittany. Kim resides in Boone County with her husband Mitch. Together they have five grown children. In their free time, they are passionate about their horses and all types of outdoor adventures. Someday when she grows up, Kim wants to move to Wyoming and pursue life as a cowgirl kim marburger

8. Marcy Schwegman

Marcy is the proud owner of My Dogs Mobile Groomer, bringing convenient and professional pet grooming services right to your doorstep. A 2010 graduate of the Grooming School of Indiana, she spent 14 years perfecting her craft at Glamour Pets and Georgetown Animal Hospital before taking a leap of faith and opening her own mobile grooming business.

With the support of her husband, Matt, who built their mobile grooming van from the ground up, Marcy launched My Dogs Mobile Groomer in August 2024. Since then, the response from the community has been overwhelming, and her business continues to grow!

9. Pallavi Gorrepati

Pallavi is the driving force behind Xpress Pro Tire & Auto, overseeing 26 locations, including 13 in Indianapolis. A graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in accounting and a business leadership focus, she earned her MBA while working in investments—all while preparing to step into her family’s 44-year legacy.

Under her leadership, she rebranded the business, positioning Xpress Pro for success while honoring her father’s dream. With locations across Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, Xpress Pro provides quality tires, brakes, and auto repairs you can trust.

10. Anna Whelchel!

Anna Whelchel! As the chief marketing & sales officer for the Indiana State Fair Commission, Anna oversees the year-round operations of the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center and the beloved annual State Fair. From sales and sponsorships to community engagement, her innovative strategies have helped drive new revenue streams, including the recently acquired Christmas Nights of Lights show.

A proud Ball State University graduate with a degree in journalism, Anna’s career has included roles with Radio One Indianapolis, Cumulus Media, and the Indianapolis Indians. She’s been recognized as a certified fair executive and nominated as an Indy Best & Brightest honoree.

Anna grew up in Oldenburg, Indiana, and now calls Cicero home with her family.