The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU Indianapolis celebrated its 14th class of graduates since becoming a school, with students receiving their credentials during IU Indianapolis commencement ceremonies May 16 at Michael A. Carroll Stadium on the IU Indianapolis campus. The students were also honored at a school recognition ceremony earlier in the day, celebrating a new generation of philanthropic leaders and their present and future contributions to the sector.

Celebrating the Next Generation of Philanthropic Sector Leaders

New this year: The inaugural cohort of the school’s newest academic program, the Professional Doctorate in Philanthropic Leadership (PhilD), graduated completing an academic journey that began in May 2023. As the world’s first professional doctoral leadership degree for the nonprofit sector, the PhilD program was designed for senior-level professionals in the philanthropic, government or private sectors, who already have a master’s-level or other graduate degree, and who have a desire to explore real-world solutions for current challenges through philanthropic and nonprofit solutions, launching careers and celebrating a new generation of philanthropic leaders.

Other graduates earned Ph.D., Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees and graduate certificates in Philanthropic Studies from the world's first school dedicated to research and teaching about philanthropy.

The recognition ceremony featured keynote speaker Cecilia Conrad, Ph.D., the founding CEO of Lever for Change. Conrad, who was recently named to the inaugural Time100 Philanthropy list in 2025, previously served as a managing director at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Her distinguished career also includes significant roles as a professor and administrator at Pomona College, as well as faculty positions at Barnard College and Duke University. Additionally, she has served as an economist for the Federal Trade Commission and a visiting scholar at The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

Graduating student Wade Arvizu also spoke at the recognition ceremony. Arvizu earned his Bachelor of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and is the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s 2026 Chancellor’s Scholar, graduating with highest distinction, celebrating a new generation of philanthropic leaders.

The Class of 2026 represents a wide spectrum of experience, from veteran philanthropic sector leaders completing graduate-level programs to civically engaged undergraduates. These graduates are poised to apply their expertise to organizations worldwide, with many already securing new leadership roles or advancing withing their current institutions.

Read the full article about celebrating new philanthropic leaders by Jennifer Donnovan at Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.