What is HOBY?

HOBY was founded by Hugh O'Brian (pictured talking with HOBY Ambassadors) in 1958 as a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire a global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service, and innovation. From 1958 to 1967, leadership seminars only took place in Los Angeles for high school sophomores from California. The success of the program over the first 10 years resulted in the expansion of the scope of the HOBY program. In 1968, seminars included international as well as national participants, and the leadership seminars moved to major cities across the United States on an annual basis.

HOBY Indiana

HOBY Indiana started in 1978 and the first Leadership Seminar was held in the spring of 1979. The seminars have been held at various locations throughout the state. Over 7,600 Indiana high school sophomores have participated in the seminars during HOBY Indiana's 44-year history. HOBY Indiana has no paid staff and relies on a dedicated group of volunteers to plan and execute each seminar. We are a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

What do students learn during the 4-day seminar?

HOBY's curriculum is based on our vision to motivate and empower individuals to make a positive difference within our global society – we believe students represent the future leaders of the world. The HOBY experience develops leadership from three perspectives: personal leadership, group leadership, and leadership for society, with a focus on individual student growth. HOBY is an open door to a life of leadership and service, as we believe the most powerful way to show leadership is through service.

HOBY alumni return to their communities applying skills and ideas learned at the seminar. Community entities all over Indiana as well as the United States count on HOBY “ambassadors” to continue the tradition of HOBY service. While at HOBY, ambassadors learn how to become community leaders and realize their full potential.

“Thank you for the amazing opportunity for my daughter! She absolutely loved it, and has already started organizing her volunteer project!”

– parent of a 2024 ambassador, posted on the HOBY Indiana Parents Facebook page

“My daughter had such a great time at the HOBY conference! She is a very driven young lady to begin with, but it lit a fire inside her and I am so excited to see what unfolds! Thank you!!”

– parent of a 2024 ambassador, posted on the HOBY Indiana Parents Facebook page

Who Speaks at HOBY Indiana?

HOBY Indiana has worked for years to develop connections with amazing speakers in our state. As we walk through our programming phases of personal leadership, group leadership, and society leadership, ambassadors hear from people with real lived experience and insight into how to be a leader who makes a difference. Meet our 2024 Seminar Speakers!

Bryan Neale (HOBY Indiana Alum)

From conferences and seminars to boardrooms around the country, Bryan Neale (wearing the BZ shirt in this picture with long-time HOBY Indiana volunteer, Turk White) has been entertaining and educating audiences for more than 30 years. As both a veteran sales coach and referee for Superbowl LVI, Bryan understands the formula for elite performance and masterfully wears stories from the football field with inspiring, actionable content. Byan is also the founder of Blind Zebra, an elite sales and custom success coaching company focused on complete customer journey training for B2B client-facing teams. All Blind Zebra training is built on Bryan’s simple yet powerful “Thank-Do-Say” methodology and delivered virtually from Bryan’s state-of-the-art studio. Bryan has spoken at HOBY Indiana consistently for over 10 years because he saw the difference it made in his life when he attended HOBY Indiana as a high schooler himself.

Judith Thomas

Deputy Mayor Judy Thomas was appointed by Mayor Hogsett as the Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood Engagement January 2021. Before coming to work for the city, DM Judith Thomas ran Judith & Co., a consulting firm focused on celebrating the rich diversity of Arts, Culture & Tourism.

DM Thomas is a community scholar of Africana studies at IUPUI. She previously served as president of the Madam Walker Legacy Center. DM Thomas has over 30 years of work experience in Indianapolis, including roles with Visit Indy, the National Federation of State High School Associations, Emmis Communications, and the Indiana Convention Center.

Born in Gary, Indiana, she attended North Central High School in Indianapolis and graduated from Butler University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public and Corporate Communications.

Trey Mock (aka Blue)

Trey is entering his sixteenth season as the “man behind Blue”. He started his mascot career as Aubie at Auburn University. In 2006, he helped create Blue for the Indianapolis Colts. Trey and his wife Ali Mock reside in Westfield, IN with their son Gunnar and daughter Tegan. Trey brings his presentation “Choose Love” to HOBY Indiana, which began when he thought, “…wouldn’t it be cool if we could come into a school and I could take off my mask and break the biggest mascot rule, but to then encourage students to stop hiding behind their masks.”

“HOBY, you have done it again. You have changed my life in ways I couldn’t even imagine. I got to learn even more about myself, how to be a great leader, and gain new perspectives on life. You have given me so many great friends who have turned into family… HOBY Indiana, you are changing the lives of our future leaders and making our future look so bright.”

– HOBY 2019 alum and 2024 under-21 volunteer