By Megan Custodio—
GASTON, IN—Orr Fellowship has appointed its new Fellowship Leadership Team, including Brylee Koontz, a Gaston native and graduate of Marian University, who is the new Director of Continued Learning. She is among eight current Fellows to be named to the organization’s Fellowship Leadership Team for the 2025 term.
In this role, Koontz will plan and execute flagship development events; advocate for professional and personal resources; and connect fellows with professional development and networking opportunities in Indianapolis and Evansville.
“I am truly honored and excited that my peers have entrusted me to step into the Director of Continued Learning role,” said Koontz. “In my first few months in the Fellowship, I quickly discovered just how passionate I am about empowering fellows to reach their full potential, both professionally and personally. I am looking forward to shaping a culture that fosters growth, sparks innovation, and encourages lifelong learning.”
Candidates for the leadership team are nominated and elected by their peers, while former Fellowship Leadership Team and executive team members interview each candidate. Composed of eight director roles spanning marketing, diversity, recruitment and more, the Fellowship Leadership Team’s goal is to strengthen ties within the Orr community, engage with current, former and future Fellows, and push the program forward.
“The Fellowship Leadership Team is an important component of our program,” said Steven Emch, President of Orr Fellowship. “It gives Fellows ownership of the organization and our direction, providing additional opportunities for them to demonstrate their leadership potential and innovative thinking that ultimately impact partner companies and the greater Indiana business community.”
Since 2001, Orr Fellowship has helped talented college graduates launch their careers and shape them as Indiana business and community leaders. Orr Fellowship expanded from Indianapolis to Evansville in 2024 to give a combined total of 83 Fellows hands-on experience in more than 60 companies in Greater Indianapolis and Southwest Indiana.
Over two years, Fellows work full-time at a partner company in fields like marketing, consulting, engineering and tech. Beyond their day-to-day roles, Fellows grow through continuing education opportunities, such as hearing from top executives, taking on nonprofit consulting projects, and learning financial management skills.
Building a strong sense of community is at the heart of Orr Fellowship. This commitment shines through in the program’s impact with more than 84% of its alumni staying in Indiana after completing their fellowship, playing a key role in helping the state retain its brightest talent. Fellows who do leave Indiana go on to participate in globally impactful programs, including the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, Peace Corps, Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs abroad and the Princeton in Africa fellowship. Many of these individuals return to Indiana after their programs.
To become an Orr Fellowship partner company, apply here. Upcoming college seniors who are interested in joining future cohorts can express interest here.
