About Us

Paving the Way for the Workforce of the Future

Brad Rhorer, Ascend Indiana President and CEO

About Ascend Indiana

As Indiana’s economy grows in industries like life sciences, tech, and renewable energy, Ascend Indiana ensures Hoosiers are ready to seize new opportunities. By partnering with educators, industry leaders, and public-sector organizations, Ascend aligns resources to bridge the gap between workforce potential and employer needs.

Through these strategic partnerships, Ascend equips Indiana’s workforce with the skills to succeed, shaping careers and fueling the state’s economic growth. From the classroom to the boardroom, Ascend is building a stronger, more dynamic Indiana.

Our Vision

Our Mission

All Hoosiers and employers thrive in Indiana’s evolving economy, empowered and equipped for success.

Our Mission

Our Vision

Empowering Indiana’s modern workforce ecosystem. 

Supporting Employers, Equipping Talent

Guiding Insights

Our research provides valuable insights on Indiana’s workforce and market trends, helping job seekers, employers, educators, and other stakeholders stay informed.

Talent Matching

Our proprietary job-matching platform connects job seekers with careers, internships, and work-based learning opportunities offered by Indiana employers.

Indiana Expertise

Our partnerships with statewide leaders give us unprecedented insights into Indiana’s workforce, employers, and the talent emerging from local educational institutions.

Workforce Innovation

Our data insights and partnerships fuel innovative ideas and solutions, making us a trusted resource for addressing complex workforce challenges.
Our Organization

Central Indiana Corporate Partnership

Ascend is an initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), which fosters growth and innovation in Indiana’s economy, uniting leaders from the state’s corporations, foundations, and universities to promote collaboration. CICP launched Ascend Indiana in 2016 to strengthen the talent pipeline for key sectors, including advanced manufacturing, agbiosciences, life sciences, and technology.

In partnership with CICP’s sector initiatives, Ascend supports talent development efforts to drive growth across these industries while also collaborating with statewide organizations to support sectors like banking, finance, and healthcare.

Partner With Us

Our mission makes an impact because of our partners. If you’re an employer, public-sector organization, or educational institution committed to strengthening the workforce, we want to partner with you.