Leading the Way - February 5, 2026

Leading Moments From Across the District

When Student Ideas Shape Real Decisions:

IHMS 8th Grade Business Proposal PBL

This experience represents a powerful example of Project Based Learning brought to life through real-world application and meaningful partnerships. As part of an immersive 8th grade business and leadership project, students were challenged with an authentic organizational decision faced by a local Cincinnati business owner, Wes Mergard, who entrusted students with a real expansion scenario tied directly to his business model and operational constraints.

Working in collaborative teams, students were tasked with designing and defending a business expansion proposal centered on global travel planning. Given that Wes currently travels only to South America, Europe, and North America, students were required to research and propose a strategically sound trip to one of the global summits, balancing logistics, cost, feasibility, and alignment with business goals. This challenge pushed students to think critically, analyze real data, and make informed decisions just as professionals do in the business world.

Throughout the project, students applied key academic and leadership skills including research, financial reasoning, communication, collaboration, and strategic thinking. They moved beyond theoretical learning to wrestle with ambiguity, justify recommendations, and anticipate stakeholder questions.

A defining element of this experience was the integration of community and industry partners into the evaluation process. Local professionals and high school students, were invited to serve as judges, using a formal rubric to assess each team’s proposal and provide meaningful, actionable feedback. This added a powerful layer of authenticity, reinforcing that student work matters and that strong ideas must be clearly articulated and defensible.

The project culminates in a multi-phase process, with the top 6–8 teams advancing to a final presentation where they will present their refined proposals directly to Wes. This final step further elevates student accountability and confidence, as they experience firsthand how ideas are shared, questioned, and refined in real decision-making environments.

This experience exemplifies the essence of experiential learning, connecting classroom learning to real-world challenges, empowering students to think like leaders, and fostering partnerships that benefit both students and the broader community. It is a powerful demonstration of how Project Based Learning prepares students not just for school, but for life beyond it, where thoughtful planning, collaboration, and informed decision-making truly matter.

Data in Action: Students Discover the Power Behind Every Decision

Last week, a small group of students had an exceptional opportunity to step inside EMI Research Solutions, a trusted and nationally respected leader in market research, organizational success, online sampling, and articulating the customer experience. From the moment they arrived, students were immersed in a behind-the-scenes look at how data drives decision-making across industries and why high-quality research matters now more than ever in a world where data truly is the new currency.

During the visit, students learned about EMI’s humble beginnings and entrepreneurial journey, gaining an appreciation for how vision, persistence, and integrity have helped the organization grow into a highly regarded leader in the research and analytics space. The experience came to life as students heard directly from Founder & CEO Michael Holmes, COO Beth Teehan, and Director of Research Aron Wilson, who each shared their professional pathways, leadership lessons, and real-world examples of how research informs strategy, innovation, and organizational success.

What made the experience especially powerful was the emphasis on how data is collected, analyzed, and applied with intention. Students gained insight into the level of rigor, collaboration, and critical thinking required to ensure that even the smallest data point is accurate and meaningful. They also explored the wide range of career opportunities connected to research and analytics, from data science and psychology to marketing, technology, and leadership, helping students see how diverse interests can align within a single field.

For many students, the visit was both fascinating and eye-opening. They walked away with a deeper understanding of how much thoughtful work goes into decisions that may seem small on the surface, yet can have enormous implications for organizations, customers, and future success. Experiences like this reinforce the power of experiential learning and help students connect classroom skills to real-world applications, inspiring them to think differently about data, leadership, and their own potential career paths.

We are grateful to the EMI Research Solutions team for opening their doors, sharing their expertise, and investing in the next generation of leaders.

Global Week Business at Breakfast Sets a New Standard

Our January 2026 Global Week Business at Breakfast marked a historic milestone for the Indian Hill Exempted Village School District, becoming our largest gathering to date with 42 industry partners and 150 students in attendance. The event showcased the power of authentic connections between students and professionals and the impact of experiential learning at scale.

We were honored to welcome Marco Luchini, Senior Vice President of Business Process and Data Transformation at Procter & Gamble, as our keynote speaker. Drawing from his global career. Marco engaged students through a memorable Minecraft analogy, encouraging them to view every Experienceship, summer job, and club as a “block” used to build their future. He reminded students that success isn’t built all at once, but through intentionally mining experiences, exploring new “maps,” and leveraging new resources along the way. He further challenged our students to say 'yes' to any and all opportunity that comes your way, don't be afraid to fail, talk to people different than you and join or start a new project!

The event’s success was made possible by the outstanding leadership of IHExperienceships Coordinator, Mrs. Lauren Richardson, our IH TESOL teacher, Mrs. Monica Gibson and our IHEXP Student Advisory Board Event Leads Ardisha Thawrani and Derek Zee, whose planning ensured a seamless experience.

A highlight of the morning was Senior Wisdom shared by Advisory Board members Charlie Warfel and Sophie Tindale. Charlie reflected on how a connection made at a previous Business at Breakfast led to a job-shadowing experience that clarified his future in Information Systems and Business Economics. Sophie shared how shadowing physicians at TriHealth helped her discover a passion for Biomedical Engineering, emphasizing that these real-world experiences go far beyond the classroom.

Together, their stories reinforced the transformative power of Experienceships and the professionals who generously invest their time to help students turn curiosity into clarity.

Intentional leadership. Shared learning.

Lasting impact.

Over the past few days, educators and leaders from across multiple Southwest Ohio school districts came together for the 2nd Annual "Intentional Leadership Summit," a collaborative experience created in partnership with Hamilton County Educational Service Centers, my friend, Dr. J. Lail, and with the generous support of the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.

A key focus of this work directly aligns with the IH Entrepreneurs’ Center Strategic Plan, which prioritizes the intentional sharing of high-quality professional learning opportunities, particularly in the realm of leadership, across districts and organizations. Participants engaged in deep learning around the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and the 4 Essential Roles of Leadership, emphasizing self-leadership, influence, and collective impact.

Through reflection, collaboration, and practical application, the summit fostered a shared leadership language and reinforced the power of regional partnerships to build leadership capacity, strengthen culture, and lead with purpose in schools and systems. These same professional learning opportunities are offered throughout our own district to our own staff and students!

Jeff Damadeo, Director of K-12 Leadership & Career Development

Jeff.Damadeo@ihsd.us

Twitter: @indianhillEC

My #IHPromise - to work tirelessly for our students, providing them with the most exceptional educational opportunities & experiences to help ensure that they develop into outstanding academic students and future ready individuals!