Karen Hensley
Sarah Harrison
As Conexus Indiana continues to create opportunities for advanced manufacturing and logistics companies and prepare Hoosiers to seize them, the statewide organization has hired two veteran professionals to deliver its programs to more Indiana high schools, businesses and communities.
Karen Hensley and Sarah Harrison have joined Conexus Indiana in roles that place them onsite at Indiana high schools and businesses. As Conexus Indiana Partner Success Managers, Hensley and Harrison will work with local stakeholders to increase access to Conexus Indiana’s high school curriculum program and to expand the reach of its Conexus Interns program.
“By leveraging the engagement of over 250 A+ Partner companies, Karen and Sarah will grow our industry-driven workforce programs to supply Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics talent pipeline,” said Claudia Cummings, vice president of Conexus Indiana Workforce and Strategic Initiatives.
Conexus Indiana’s hallmark industry-driven high school curriculum, called Hire Tech, has reached more than 7,000 students since it launched in 2012. Through the program, students have earned more than 16,641 dual credits and 8,384 industry-recognized credentials, preparing them for high-wage, high-demand advanced manufacturing and logistics careers.
Conexus Interns just wrapped up its third year this summer and has provided nearly 600 students with summer-work opportunities at more than 130 Indiana businesses. This hands-on experience has helped expose students to career opportunities in the high-tech industry sector and has provided a pipeline of future talent for growing businesses.
Before joining Conexus Indiana, Hensley served in a number of roles for the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation, including Communications and Operations manager, Community Engagement manager, and Strategy and Operations associate. Karen has also served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Summer associate. She earned a bachelor of arts in Communication and Culture and a Master’s of Public Affairs from Indiana University Bloomington.
Harrison joined Conexus Indiana after serving as Key Account manager for netlogx, an Indianapolis business consulting company. Prior to her position at netlogx, Harrison was director of Admissions at the International School of Indiana where she recruited and retained domestic and international students. Sarah has also held sales and marketing positions with Eli Lilly U.K. Sarah graduated from the Cookridge School of Radiology in Leeds, U.K., and previously served as a Combat Medical Technician in the Army Reserves, U.K.
About Conexus Indiana
For more than a decade, Conexus Indiana has been positioning the Hoosier State as the best place for the advanced manufacturing and logistics industries to invest, employ and succeed. By recruiting industry, government and academia to a shared vision for a skilled workforce and stronger business climate, Conexus Indiana creates opportunities for advanced manufacturing and logistics companies, prepares Hoosiers to succeed in the state’s largest industry sector and maintains Indiana’s competitive advantage. For more information, visit the Conexus Indiana website at www.conexusindiana.com.