Joel Zawacki on Indianapolis Indians Growth, Leadership and the Next 30 Years of Victory Field

Indianapolis Indians executive Joel Zawacki has spent nearly 20 years helping grow the Triple-A club while reshaping how it serves downtown Indianapolis. His career has moved from partnership activation and sales to strategy, venue planning, brand development and community impact. Zawacki, vice president and chief commercial officer for the Indianapolis Indians, traces his path from a Michigan City childhood built around neighborhood baseball to the University of Indianapolis and internships in minor league baseball and with the Pacers. He explains how the Indians grew corporate partnership revenue from about $1 million to more than $5.5 million, why long-term relationships matter more than rate cards, and how a sports organization can create value for fans, partners and its city. The conversation also covers the business model behind a Triple-A team, the Indianapolis Indians' role in bringing hundreds of thousands of people downtown, and the next phase of Victory Field. Zawacki discusses the organization's brand refresh, plans for future ballpark improvements and the growth of Indianapolis Indians Charities, including Indy RBI and SWING at Victory Field. He also reflects on the mentors who gave him opportunities, the lessons he learned from a failed event and why he believes relationships compound into what he calls social capital. His leadership advice is simple and specific: bet on yourself, be responsive, be generous with your time and become someone people want at the table. He closes by explaining how losing his father and raising two young boys changed his definition of success, moving it away from personal legacy and toward passing strong values to his children. Talent Scout is hosted by Dave Neff. Learn more about JDA Worldwide at jdaworldwide.com.