Kären Haley
This March, Herd Strategies is celebrating Women’s History Month by highlighting women who share stories, uplifting and amplifying the experiences of themselves and others. Kären Haley, executive director of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, is dedicated to providing a physical way for neighborhoods and communities throughout the city to connect and live shared experiences.
Kären Haley grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. After earning her bachelor’s degree in management from Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business, she moved to Indiana to attend grad school at Indiana University Bloomington. Upon receiving her master’s degree, Kären worked for Crowe Global until becoming the City of Indianapolis’ first director of the Office of Sustainability. She assumed the role of executive director of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail in 2011.
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is a linear park that connects communities downtown and beyond. As a result, Kären has been exposed to many different stories and cultures in our city. “Over the past several years, as we've embarked on expanding the Cultural Trail to better connect our city's cultural districts and neighborhoods, I've heard a lot of stories from other people about their lived experiences in the areas where the Cultural Trail is expanding. It's a privilege for me,” she said. “I feel like it's the Trail's duty to share the stories and culture of our city - past, present and future.”
The Cultural Trail is expanding for the first time, providing a physical connection to neighborhoods and cultural destinations in Indianapolis that have been disconnected from the rest of downtown for too long. “By providing a physical connection through the trail, we are providing a platform for storytelling and expression and inviting people to get to know areas and neighborhoods they may not have been to before,” Kären shared. “We hope this reconnection will help facilitate sharing and expressing the story of our city.”
One way the Cultural Trail shares stories of the Indianapolis community is through intentionally curated artwork along the trail. “We want the Cultural Trail to be a destination for public art,” Kären emphasized. “The Cultural Trail is free and accessible 365 days a year, and our goal is to make sure we reflect the many cultures of Indianapolis with our public art program. We want the Trail to be a place where people can see and enjoy both experienced and emerging artists from Indianapolis and beyond.”
Overseeing a place where women in our community can make their voices heard and connect with other women is important to Kären. “If we don't tell our stories, then no one knows our stories,” she said. Pulling from her experiences of being a new mom and a woman in leadership, she noted that being a woman can feel isolating. “We need to tell our stories to help people realize they are not alone. No two stories are alike, but we can learn from each other's experiences, provide mentorship and share our individual perspectives.”
Talented women have supported the work of the Cultural Trail since its inception. Kären highlighted some of the many women involved in the creation and elevation of the Cultural Trail.
Initial Cultural Trail creators: Lori Miser, Melody Park, Mindy Taylor Ross and Gail Payne
Initial Cultural Trail supporters: Marilyn Glick, Myrta Pulliam, Margot Lacy Eccles and Lori Efroymson
Women artists in the Cultural Trail public art collection: Donna Sink and Jamie Pawlus
Pacers Bikeshare program: Lauren Day
Cultural Trail board: Tamara Zahn, former board chair; Karen Spataro and Camille Blunt
Current staff: Riley Hill Kartel, Director of Advancement; Amy Marisavljevic, Director of Planning and Public Programs; Jill Pierce, Volunteer Program Leader; and Rebecca Knoop, CFO
Kären also emphasized the women engineers and project managers that are playing a key role in the design and engineering of the future segments of the Cultural Trail that are currently under construction, several of whom work for the City of Indianapolis in the Department of Public Works. She said, “It's inspiring to realize just how many women have been a part of the Cultural Trail and will continue to be in the future!”
To keep up with Kären, follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn. Learn more about the Indianapolis Cultural Trail by following them on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn or visiting the website; learn more about Indiana Pacers Bikeshare on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook or their website.
