Meet the Maker: Indy Arts Council's new leader

Driving the news: Thomas will start her new role in mid-April, replacing former president and CEO Julie Goodman.

• Goodman led the way from 2019-2024, navigating Indy Arts Council through the pandemic. She is now chief advancement officer with the Cabaret.

Flashback: Thomas, a Butler grad, has spent the last three decades contributing to some of the city's biggest events, including Indiana Black Expo and National FFA.

• Last year, she was tapped as co-chair of the local organizing committee for the 2026 NCAA Men's Final Four in Indy.
• Thomas was president of Madam Walker Legacy Center from 2018 to 2020. Before that, she worked with Visit Indy for 13 years.

What she's saying: "The opportunity to lead an organization so deeply embedded in the cultural and creative fabric of Indianapolis aligns perfectly with my passion, vision, and lifelong commitment to empowering communities through the arts," Thomas said in a statement. "The arts tell the story of a people — a city, a state, a community. It is crucial that all voices and creatives are heard, seen, and celebrated."