AUTOGRAPH THE OFFICIAL INDIAN HILL SCHOOL DISTRICT ALUMNI MAGAZINE

SPRING 2025

McDONALD’S CEO & INDIAN HILL ALUM
CHRIS KEMPCZINSKI

INDIAN HILL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
MIA SULFSTED

THREE QUESTIONS

THEIR DREAM

OUR IH PROMISE

“C” SUITE LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP

TABLE
WELCOME
CONTENTS
A MESSAGE FROM CEO/SUPERINTENDENT KIRK KOENNECKE

HOME
07

A
OF
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n autograph is a mark of distinction. It’s profoundly unique and incredibly personal. As alumni of the Indian Hill School District, you have
left your own signature mark on our community. Whether you contributed to phenomenal academic feats, broke records as an athlete, or serve our community today, you have built a strong foundation for our students and help them achieve their dreams.

Welcome to the first issue of AUTOGRAPH—our debut of a new way to celebrate you, our alumni, and share your story with our community.

You’re accomplished, generous, and outstanding role models for our children (and incredibly easy to celebrate, might I add). You’re trailblazers in your lines of work and in partnership with our district as we develop unparalleled opportunities for our students.

Welcome Home.

In service to our children,

Kirk Koennecke CEO/Superintendent Indian Hill School District

04 02

Ofice Hours with Ben Cook: Pianist & Professor	01 Candid Conversation with Anna Podojil: Pro Soccer Draft	02 Passion to Profession: Alex Trott Leaned In On IH Experiences	03 Dr. Carter Randolph’s Life Full of Giving	04 Three Questions with McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski	05 Decades: Alumni Updates	07 Inside the IH Foundation with Executive Director Meredith Ducey	09 Home Sweet Home: Why Jeff Gibson Came Back to the Village	10

FOLLOW US ON LINKEDIN! INDIAN HILL EXEMPTED VILLAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT

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I
A
OFFICE HOURS: BEN COOK

Pianist, professor credits Indian Hill teachers and arts programs for the life and career he has today

to the world of jazz, mostly on the piano. I continued in the band program through middle school and joined the middle school jazz ensemble as pianist in sixth or seventh grade. It was there that I first began to develop the skills to play piano professionally.”

In high school concert band, Gaudio and Strider continued challenging Cook to grow and provided him with opportunities to learn jazz.

At the end of his senior year in 1988, Cook had his first professional gig playing in a show band at Kings Island.
round the age of five, Ben Cook began playing

the piano. His grandmother, a renowned	Over the years, Cook has traveled across the United composer of Jewish children’s music, was the one	States and Japan performing as a pianist with the who taught him to play.	Boston Pops Orchestra.

With this firm foundation beneath him, Cook was	Now, he’s is an associate professor at Berklee able to flourish in music courses at Indian Hill	College of Music, carrying on the gift of teaching under exemplary teachers like Joe Gaudio and	that he received from his grandmother and Indian Steve Strider.	Hill faculty.

“Mr. Gaudio, who was a renowned jazz tenor                “Without the dedication of those Indian Hill teachers saxophonist, was a great inspiration for me and            and the arts programs they created, I would certainly fostered my development, eventually exposing me       not have the life and career I have today,” Cook said.

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CANDID CONVERSATION WITH ANNA PODOJIL
Four-time All-American sits down with IHHS Student Athlete Connor Wilkes

n 2017, Anna Podojil led her Braves soccer team to their
first Ohio Division II state title, scoring 38 of what would
become a record breaking 112 career goals.

When Podojil graduated in 2019, it was clear that her soccer career was just getting started.

She went on to play for the University of Arkansas, where
she was SEC Freshman of the	Connor Wilkes (CW): What Year (2019), SEC Forward of the	does leadership mean to you? Year (2020), and a Four-time All

American.	Anna Podojil (AP): Being a good

leader is just showing up every In January 2024, she was the	day, being yourself and just 35th overall pick in the National	being a good teammate. You’re Women’s Soccer League draft,	going to gain so much respect selected by Washington Spirit.	... being respectful to your

coaches, all of your friends, Podojil came back to The Hill	and then showing those same for a quick Q&A with Connor	skills off the field and in the Wilkes, IHHS ’25, to talk what	classroom.
being a Brave and leadership

means to her.

Wilkes is also an All-American who led the Indian Hill mens soccer team through an undefeated season as senior captain.

CW: What does being a Brave mean to you?

AP: I feel so proud to be a Brave. Obviously now coming back, we have all these new facilities. I’m just super proud of how much they pour into this school, all of the students, all of the athletes... we have a great community... I think I’ve created such long lasting relationships at this school which I think is really special.

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01

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He has an incredibly promising future ahead of him—in January, Wilkes committed to furthering his academic and soccer career at Johns Hopkins University.

TO WATCH THE FULL Q&A

02

“
respect...
A LIFE FULL OF GIVING

IHHS 1974 grad Dr. Carter Randolph gives to the community that shaped him

PASSION TO PROFESSION Alex Trott, IHHS ’08, turned high school extracurriculars into a remarkable career

I
t’s no secret that Alex Trott, Director, Insights at 84.51, is impacting the business world in
extraordinary ways. The key thought leader and spokesperson was named a 2024 Woman of Excellence by the Path to Purchase Institute and was honored with the 2025 Young Brave Award from The Indian Hill Foundation.

I
The story of her success today starts with the opportunities she had as a student at Indian Hill.

n addition to being President, Chief Investment	the Indian Hill Television Network (IHTN) to use. Oficer at The Randolph Company, a wealth
management firm, Dr. Carter Randolph is extremely	It’s clear that giving back is important for Dr. involved with the community.	Randolph, and so is living each day like it’s your last.

He serves on multiple boards, including the	Unfortunately, there were students who passed away Greenacres Foundation, an education-based	during Mr. Randolph’s time at IHHS. Early on this non-profit located                                                                                           gave him the perspective that within Indian Hill.                                                                                            each day is valuable and has a
The Greenacres
to find the truth
This was the greatest	little sense of urgency. Foundation and the	lesson of education—dissent Randolph notes that his time Indian Hill School                                                                                            at Indian Hill as a student District partnered in the                                                                                  also taught him dissent and to 2017-2018 school year.                                                                                  challenge things you’re told. That’s when two students produced a documentary
on a Greenacres farm restoration project that went        “The earth was flat and for 1,200 years and anyone up for two awards.                                                           who said otherwise was killed. This led me to never
accept anything,” Dr. Randolph said. “This was the The foundation was so impressed by what the	greatest lesson of education—dissent to find the students created that Dr. Randolph, on behalf of	truth because today’s truth is based on today’s rose the foundation, personally delivered a PTZ Robotic	colored glasses and the shade of rose changes Camera and accessories for students involved with	every day.”

03

Trott invested time in trying new experiences	respect,” Trott said. “Once you do, once you find at IHHS. She took marketing classes and was	those valuable mentors ... they’re kind of life long involved with clubs like Mock Trial and DECA—all	friends even when you do ‘grow up.’”
of which were eye opening opportunities, as both

of her parents were healthcare professionals.	Trott encourages students to take advantage of all the state-of-the-art opportunities Indian Hill has to
“
You have to seek
[mentors] and earn their
When Trott graduated and stepped onto	offer, like the Indian Hill Entrepreneurs’ Center that campus at Miami University,                                                                            opened in September 2024. she was asked to join its                                                                                  The Center allows students entrepreneurship program.                                                                             K-12 to gain hands-on business She recalled liking DECA as                                                                             experience and have access to an IHHS student, and because                                                                        mentorship opportunities from of that experience decided to                                                                          business leaders.
pursue an entrepreneurship

pathway.		“Think about what a career in business could look like because that could help you
Professors along the way turned into mentors,	take next steps to define your college experience,” one of which encouraged her to apply for a job at	Trott said.
the company she still works at today.

SCAN HERE FOR Ultimately Trott recognizes the value of mentors,	ALEX’S INTERVIEW and the impact they can have on your life                                ON THE EDUHERO personally and professionally.                                                         PODCAST
“You have to seek [mentors] out and earn their	04

T
the most important brand you are ever going to
plan everything out. I remember when I was in
need to do to what matters to them. ...
“
2.
THREE QUESTIONS WITH CHRIS KEMPCZINSKI

he “Golden Arches” are iconic for a reason: 69 million people fed daily; 43,000
restaurants in over 100 countries; one CEO in charge. Meet Chris Kempczinski, the chief
executive oficer of McDonald’s Corporation and proud Indian Hill High School graduate (shout out to the Class of 1987).

Despite his business commitments, Kempczinski continues to carve out time for investing in the lives of students and the district.

In 2020, Kempczinski surprised the IHHS graduating class with a recorded video message. He expressed how proud he was of the senior class, shared life lessons related to optimism and resiliency, and acknowledged that graduates “should really feel confident and grateful for the
foundation that [they’ve] gotten from Indian Hill.”

In 2022, Kempczinski was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Indian Hill Foundation. The award honors and recognizes the alumni legacy of commitment, integrity, and achievement. Kempczinski and all recipients of the award are an inspiration and exemplify what it means to ‘be Brave’ in the years beyond high school.

Most recently, Kempczinski sat down with Mia Sulfsted, IHHS ’26, to share about his path to successful leadership. Kempczinski and Sulfsted also had time to enjoy a delicious McDonald’s lunch.

We know you’re wondering—what does Kempczinski order from McDonald’s?

He keeps it simple with a McChicken (no mayo, add cheese), a small order of McDonald’s World Famous Fries (with ketchup, of course) and a Sprite Zero to drink.

05

IHHS STUDENT ASKS McDONALD’S CEO ABOUT HIS CAREER, LEADERSHIP, & ADVICE

important feedback you got in your career
1.
3.
Mia Sulfsted (MS): What was the most	MS: Did you have any specific moments or an and how did it shape you as a leader?	epiphany that made you a leader yourself?

Chris Kempczinski (CK): I’ve gotten a lot of
being a leader is it’s all about how you work
CK: Not really, part of it is it just happens over feedback in my career. One of the things I got	time. ... The biggest thing I’ve had to learn about early on... the person I was working for said ...	through other people. ... Most of what I do is I try
manage is the Chris Kempczinski brand. That
what a leader ends up being all about.
to do it through other people. Learning how to get struck home for me because when you think	results and drive things through other people is about it, your reputation is much like a brand.

Your reputation is
How others perceive you, how you manage your brand, that, in my career, I found that to be a
great piece of advice.	much like a brand. MS: If you were able to talk to your high school
that motivated me would motivate them. What
self, what advice would you give yourself?	... I assumed early on when I was a leader CK: If I could talk to my high school self I would         that everyone was like me. So the same things probably say two things. One, don’t think you can       you learn over time is people are motivated by
high school it was OK where am I going to go to
other people and how you connect the work you
different things. ... Part of being a leader is to find college, what am I going to major in, it was sort	what are those things that actually matter most to of like every step along the way I felt I needed to
have it planned out and the reality is that’s not how life works. There are lots of things and twists and turns that you can’t plan. The other thing that I would advise my younger self is stop being in a hurry. ... I didn’t always enjoy as much of what I was in because I was always thinking about ‘what’s the next thing.’

SCAN THE QR CODE TO WATCH THE FULL Q&A

06

DECADES: ALUMNI UPDATES	Want to share an update with us? Email your information to Kirsten.Gray@ihsd.us

1970s	1980s	2000s	2010s

Rusty Myers, IHHS ‘74, was recently honored by the UC Lindner College of Business with the Carl. H. Lindner Award for Outstanding Business Achievement.

Eppa Rixey, IHHS ‘72, was inducted into the Indian Hill Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022 for his accomplishmets as
a basketball and track star. He served as Mayor for the Village of Indian Hill from 2007 -2009.

Vera Lyn McVicker, IHHS ‘85, retired in May, 2025 after 34 years teaching at her alma mater.

1990s

Missy Tannen (Tullis), IHHS ‘95, is a founder of Boll & Branch, based in Madison, NJ.

Judson Oswald, IHHS ‘98, is a Senior Partner at Sr. Partner at Kirkland & Ellis Law Firm, NY, NY.

Katie Aichholz, IHHS ‘13, works for a late-stage tech startup in the cybersecurity and AI space (Vectra AI) to help lead their design team as their UX Design Senior Manager. She resides in Austin, Texas.

Mrinal Singh, IHHS ‘17, is the CEO/Co-Founder at Bolto, an AI company through YCombinator backed by VCs in San Francisco.

2020s

Whitney (Groth) Jones, IHHS ‘04, (below) and Sam (Sayer) Frodge, IHHS ‘04, (above) were in the same second grade class and have been friends ever since. Sam is a Latin teacher at Indian Hill Middle School.

Matt Davis, IHHS ‘20, recently retired from active service with the United States Marines with a rank of Lance Corporal, E3. He is currently a Logistics Specialist with TireHub in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Ethan Marx, IHHS ‘21, is graduating from the University of Virginia this spring. Last year, he won the collegiate mock
trial national championship— an achievement he has been working towards since his freshman year when he joined Indian Hill Mock Trial.

Lucia Barrett, IHHS ‘22, is a third-year student studying International Business and Spanish at The Ohio State University. She recently landed a summer internship/job position as a law clerk at Wagner & Bloch, LLC Family Law Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

07	08

M

INSIDE THE IH FOUNDATION A CONVERSATION WITH MEREDITH DUCEY

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE FOUNDATION?

We’re always looking ahead— asking What If, What’s Next, and What’s Possible? That spirit of curiosity and innovation drives everything we do.

BIG PITCH
As a founding and funding partner of the Big Pitch program, the Foundation continues to champion innovative, student-driven ideas. We proudly support the growth of current initiatives and look forward to the next wave of bold, impactful projects.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS
We are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates through the
Distinguished Alumni Awards— honoring those who exemplify excellence, leadership, and the enduring spirit of the Braves community.

FUNDING INNOVATION
We remain dedicated to funding creative classroom and district-wide grants that support educators, spark student curiosity, and enhance learning across all grade levels.
As we continue to dream big and act boldly, we invite you to be part of what’s next—and help shape what’s possible.

eredith Ducey, executive director of the Indian Hill
Foundation, sheds insight into the Foundation’s priorities and how you can make a lasting impact. To get involved with the Foundation, email Meredith directly at: meredith.ducey@ihsd.us.

What is the Mission of the IH Foundation?
The mission of the IH Foundation is to support and enhance the student and educator experience in the Indian Hill School District by connecting resources, funding innovative programs, and fostering strong partnerships within the broader Brave community. Additionally, the Foundation serves as a resource for nearly 12,000 Brave alumni across the country.
			
How Can Brave Alumni Support the District?
Brave alumni have countless ways to give back—each one meaningful and aligned with the Foundation’s mission. Whether it’s sharing career or community expertise in the classroom, volunteering for alumni-focused initiatives like the Distinguished Alumni Awards, or making a financial gift to support innovation in the classroom.

You can also take the lead in organizing class reunions or lend your time and talents by serving on Foundation committees such as Grants or the Speakers Bureau. No matter how you choose to
engage, your continued connection strengthens the Brave community and helps ensure a bright future for the next generation of Braves.

What Are Some Key Initiatives the Foundation is Focused On?
The Foundation is committed to expanding its impact—starting with funding more classroom and district grants, which requires increased fundraising efforts. We are equally committed to fiscal responsibility, ensuring donor contributions are used eficiently and meaningfully to support students and educators.
			
Beyond our general mission, donors also have opportunities to fund specific projects that align with their passions. We’re also working to increase volunteer involvement across all levels of the Foundation, including new committee roles, event participation, and community outreach efforts.
		
09

HOME SWEET HOME	

J
Why Jeff Gibson, IHHS ’86, came back to the Village after living around the globe

eff Gibson, CFO/CTO of ProtectEd, has lived around
the word, ranging from Indiana for college to New York City, Europe, and Mexico for work.

Ultimately, the IHHS ‘86 graduate discovered by moving out of the Indian Hill area just how special it was to him and others.

“My experiences in 45243 were tremendously relevant as a motivator to develop professionally, establish deep relationships
with people who have various experiences, and eventually return to a place that I knew would enable me to thrive professionally, personally, and welcome investing to keep the community thriving and generally ‘paying it forward,’” Gibson said.

“ I was supported by many at IH to work

hard and accelerate whatever I was doing.

Gibson recalls the support he received for his entrepreneurial mindset as a student—like Assistant Middle School Principal Tony Brunneman helping him map out
his grass cutting schedule, and high school guidance councelor Doug Hammond supporting his snow plowing service when delays didn’t occur and Gibson was still out plowing.

“As someone who is entrepreneurially minded, I was supported by many
at IH to work hard and accelerate whatever I was doing,” Gibson said.

Today, Gibson is a year and a half into proudly serving on Village Council and continues to see abundant opportunities to continue the multi-decade partnership between the Village and the district.

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SIGNATURE EVENTS
	
K-12 DISTRICT STEM NIGHT
APRIL	MARCH	FEBRUARY	SEPTEMBER 25, 2025                 24, 2026                 24, 2026               19, 2025

ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT & RECOGNITION

Indian Hill Hall of Fame welcomed three new members All were invited to induction ceremony on January 17, 2025

A
ll Braves were invited to attend an induction ceremony
on Friday, January 17, 2025, as the Indian Hill Athletic Hall of Fame welcomed three new members. Cristy Freese (1976), Branden Miller (2005), and
Colin Shaw (2018) were honored at halftime of the varsity boys basketball game.

facebook.com/indianhillschools	Indianhillschools	@ihschools