Barton R. Peterson

Bart Peterson is senior vice president of corporate affairs and communications for Eli Lilly and Company. Before joining Lilly in 2009 in his current role, Bart served as managing director of Strategic Capital Partners, as a fellow with the Institute of Politics at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and as a distinguished visiting professor of public policy at Ball State University. From 2000 to 2007, Bart served two terms as mayor of Indianapolis, and in 2007 was president of the National League of Cities. In conjunction with Indiana University, Purdue University, Lilly, and the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Bart championed the creation of BioCrossroads, the Indiana life-sciences initiative. Prior to running for office, he was a member of Indiana Governor Evan Bayh’s leadership team, first as his advisor for environmental affairs and later as chief of staff. He also was an attorney with IceMiller in Indianapolis. Bart earned his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and a law degree from the University of Michigan. Bart is a founding member and board chair of The Mind Trust, a non-profit organization promoting education reform. He also is a board member of the Regenstrief Foundation and Kite Realty Group, as well as a member of the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs Dean’s Council. In 2012, Bart was appointed by the U.S. Department of State to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council.