ACG June Breakfast Meeting

Ryan Vaughn was elected Indiana Sports Corp President in September 2014. He is the not-for-profit organization’s sixth president since the nation’s first sports commission was founded in 1979. Indiana Sports Corp’s mission is to create positive impact by hosting world-class sporting events that enhance vibrancy in the community, build civic pride, drive economic impact and media exposure, and encourage opportunities for youth.  

Before leading the Indiana Sports Corp staff, Vaughn served as chief of staff for Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard for more than two years. In that role, Vaughn oversaw development and implementation of Indy’s strategic planning initiatives, public policy development, financial security and management of the agency directors and deputy mayors.  To achieve success in those areas, Vaughn focused on a collaborative approach requiring input and information sharing from the administration’s team, supporting community organizations and Indy’s corporate leaders. 

Previously, Vaughn was a lawyer with Barnes and Thornburg, LLP, with a practice that focused on government relations and finance at the local, state and federal levels. In addition to his legal practice, Vaughn served as a councillor on the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council from 2007-2012 and was council president from 2009-2011.

Vaughn has had the opportunity to be a member of a variety of boards and committees, including the boards of Downtown Indy, YMCA Athenaeum, Indiana War Memorials Foundation, Super Bowl XLVI Host Committee, Super Bowl LII Bid Committee and the Indiana Host Committee for the 2015 NCAA Final Four. Vaughn was also a founding board member of Purchased, Inc. a non-profit organization aimed at spreading awareness and information about the global problem of human trafficking.

Vaughn currently serves on the boards for Arts Council of Indianapolis, 

Indy Chamber, Encyclopedia of Indianapolis Civic Advisory Board, Indy Parks Foundation, Jaguars Athletics Advisory Council Board, KIPP Public Charter School, Kelley School of Business Sports Industry Advisory Board, Visit Indy and Women’s Fund Advisory Board.  Vaughn also served as a co-founder and current member of the steering committee for No Mean City (nomeancity.com).

Vaughn is a graduate of Wabash College and earned his law degree from the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis. He and his wife, Heather, live in Indianapolis.