Katarina Nikolovski is a proud Purdue University graduate and a Brand Marketer at Eli Lilly and Company, focusing on supporting patients with Diabetes. She is passionate about serving students by mentoring and hosting workshops at universities across Indiana and serving on the Purdue Daniels School of Business Alumni Board. 

“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” – Roy E. Disney

What is important to you? It’s a simple question with a complex answer. For many of us, the list is long—relationships, service, health, etc. These core values guide how we spend our time, serve others, and make a lasting impact on the world. They shape our actions today and influence the legacy we leave behind.

The Mitch Daniels Leadership Fellowship Class VII recently had our first session at the Liberty Fund in Carmel, IN. Unlike our previous sessions, which primarily focused on learning from leaders across the state, this month’s meeting was unique. It provided an opportunity for us to learn from each other, navigating complex questions through our diverse perspectives and backgrounds. It was inspiring to see 25 Indiana changemakers come together to discuss the economy and what a “good” economy means.

Liberty Fund is a private educational foundation dedicated to deepening the understanding of a society based on individual freedom and responsibility. They publish books, host conferences, and offer online resources focused on the intellectual heritage of liberty. Former Governor Mitch Daniels, Distinguished Scholar and an Senior Advisor, actively contributes to Liberty Fund by exploring the prospects of liberty through conversations with prominent thinkers and leaders across diverse fields. Reflecting on the values of MDLF—individual liberty, personal responsibility, and the role of private enterprise—Liberty Fund embodies these principles by bringing individuals together for full-day discussions on core topics, all while embracing unique perspectives and remaining just. Nate Feltman, CEO of IBJ and a Liberty Fund Board Member, shared his personal experiences and insights, enhancing the group's understanding of the organization’s mission.

We had two 75-minute discussion sessions throughout the day. The first session focused on the economic way of thinking and understanding trade-offs in a world of economic scarcity. The second session centered on politics, policies, and the economy, exploring how they interact and relate to one another. Mitch Daniels’ leadership as Governor and President of Purdue University frequently came up in the conversation, including his ability to transform Purdue and create over ten years of frozen tuition. One interesting question posed during the discussion was, “Does running the economy or other institutions more like a business allow for greater success?” We heard a wide range of answers from the group. As we explored complex economic questions, I realized there isn’t always a definitive answer. We must prioritize the greater good, even if it’s not popular. The diverse perspectives of the fellows were valuable, and it was motivating to see everyone engage in civil conversation. Despite differing opinions, all remained open to learning from one another.

One highlight of the day was Dick Hester's workshop, “Discovering Your Core Values and Putting Them to Work.” As we prepare for our capstone projects, this session inspired us to integrate our core values into our work. Dick provided a set of cards with values such as compassion, freedom, and relationships, asking us to sort them into three categories and then narrow down to our top five and finally three core values. The exercise fostered engaging discussions, revealing overlapping values and connections among us. Dick urged us to reflect on whether we’re applying these values in our lives and to craft a personal mission statement to refer to.

 Following the workshop, excitement about our capstone projects was high and furthered after Kelsey Cook’s introduction to the syllabus. The MDLF capstone empowers fellows to drive meaningful change in Indiana through self-developed initiatives that tackle pressing issues and advance local progress. Days later, fellow Anne Fuchs and I met to brainstorm ideas while energy was high, inspiring us to co-facilitate a communication workshop at Purdue University. This initiative, inspired by our MDLF session, aims to enhance communication strategies among students and professionals. This is all thanks to MDLF.

 This was one of my favorite meetings, and I'm eager to see how my class will bring their capstone ideas to life over the next year! I'll leave you with this thought: Have you thought about what matters most to you and whether your actions align with those values?