Indiana State University has announced the appointment of Carolene Mays to its Board of Trustees. The appointment of Carolene Mays to the University Board of Trustees was made by Indiana Governor Mike Braun and was effective January 19, 2026.
Mays, an Indiana State University alumna, is a distinguished leader whose career spans entrepreneurship, elected and appointed public service, media, utility regulation, business leadership, and corporate board governance. She currently serves as CEO of Building Leaders + Legacies and Carolene Mays Inspiring Leadership, LLC. She also hosts the public affairs program Community Link on WISH-TV.
A former Indiana State Representative, Mays has been appointed by three Indiana governors to state agency leadership roles, including serving as a utility regulator and leading White River State Park. She has also held national leadership roles, including National Chair of Utility Critical Infrastructure, and has been recognized as a Top 50 leader in cybersecurity policy.
Previously, Mays served as President and CEO of the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper and Indiana Minority Business Magazine, where she led the organizations through periods of transformation and growth. Earlier in her career, she worked for Mays Chemical Company and Occidental Chemical Co., Inc.
Mays has been recognized as one of Indiana’s Most Influential Business Leaders by the Indianapolis Business Journal and was inducted into the Junior Achievement Central Indiana Business Hall of Fame. Her many honors include the 2024 Champions of Diversity Martin Luther King Freedom Award, the NAACP Outstanding Achiever Award, and the CLD Madam C.J. Walker Woman of the Year Award. She is also a two-time recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash.
She currently serves on the boards of OneAmerica Financial, Heartland Church, Free Press Indiana, and Indiana Sports Corp., and chairs the IU Lilly School of Philanthropy’s Mays Family Institute. Her past board service includes the NBA and WNBA All-Star Games boards and the Peyton Manning Foundation. She has co-chaired major national sporting events, including three NCAA Women’s Final Fours and a College Football Playoff game.
Mays studied at the Indiana University McKinney School of Law and earned her Executive Coaching Certification from the University of Kansas. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and The Links, Incorporated.
“As a distinguished alumna, Carolene Mays brings an exceptional breadth of experience in leadership, governance, and public service to our Board of Trustees,” said Indiana State University President Mike Godard. “Her perspective, vision, and dedication to impact will be invaluable as we continue to advance Indiana State University’s mission and strategic priorities. We are proud to welcome her home as a Distinguished Alumna and trustee.”
Indiana State University also extended its appreciation to Cynthia R. (Berry) Powers, who has completed her term as an alumni trustee. A native of Gary, Indiana, Powers earned both her bachelor’s degree in English and her master’s degree in College Student Personnel from Indiana State University. She was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2017 and has been a steadfast advocate for students, alumni, and the University throughout her service.
“We are grateful for the contributions of Cynthia Powers during her time on the Board of Trustees,” said. President Godard. “She has been a thoughtful, engaged, and committed trustee whose deep love for her alma mater has shaped her leadership and service.”