2017
Industry
Leadership
Summit

Jim Hallett has more than 40 years experience in the automotive industry. As Chairman and CEO of KAR Auction Services, Inc.—a global Fortune 1000 company headquartered in Carmel, Indiana—Hallett leads strategic planning for KAR and also oversees the development and implementation of the organization’s objectives and growth strategy. Hallett joined the company in 1993 as president of ADESA Canada, and in 1996 relocated to Indianapolis to serve as president and CEO of ADESA. Hallett assumed his current role in 2009, and was the architect behind the merger of ADESA and IAAI (a salvage auction company) that resulted in KAR. Under Hallett’s leadership, KAR has seen unprecedented rapid expansion and growth. He has been recognized with a number of industry and community awards throughout his career, including the national EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2014 Award in the Services category, and most recently was named the 2017 Exceptional Executive by the United Way of Central Indiana. A lifelong hockey fan, Hallett shares his enjoyment of the sport as owner of the Indy Fuel.

As chief operating officer and chief strategy officer, Don Gottwald is responsible for enterprise strategy, especially focusing on the future of mobility and emerging opportunities. Additionally, he is charged with leading the company’s operational effectiveness and building exceptional data analytical capabilities across the organization. Previously, Gottwald served as chief executive officer of AFC beginning in 2009, and was responsible for the strategic leadership of the company’s objectives and growth.

Gottwald has more than 25 years of experience in the automotive industry. His background ranges from senior management roles at multi-billion dollar companies such as GMAC Financial Services and HSBC Auto Finance, to working on the retail side at a local dealership. He also sits on the Automotive Marketing Curriculum Advisory Board at Northwood University and supports community and mission-driven organization by serving on the boards of the Indiana chapter of JDRF and the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana.

Kayne Grau joined KAR Auction Services with the acquisition of DRIVIN in April 2017. As president of DRIVIN, Grau oversees the strategic direction, product development and financial performance for the Chicago-based office.

Grau has more than 20 years of management experience across a variety of sectors. Prior to co-founding DRIVIN, he served as CTO for Apartments.com and was integral in the sale of that company. Grau has also served as CTO for Cars.com and previously held senior management roles with Music Dealers, eToys.com, Allstate and Allianz Insurance. Grau currently serves on the boards of TopStep Trader, Illinois Technology Association and Chicago Tech Academy.

As the first female president of a professional sports franchise, Susan O’Malley is a pioneer in two fields: sports and business. She knows what it takes to be a leader in a tough business environment and how to create an organization from the ground up. Once an intern with the Washington Capitals and the Washington Bullets (now the Wizards), O’Malley joined Washington Sports and Entertainment in 1986. Since that time, her ground-breaking business ideas and proactive approach to customer service brought her – and WSE – to the top of the sports business world. During her presentations, Susan O’Malley speaks about leadership and thriving in a male-dominated field, calling on anecdotes and lessons learned from her life of unprecedented success. In engaging and upbeat presentations, she outlines seven seminal ‘rules’ for leadership and life and shares insider stories about entertainment, hockey, and basketball. O’Malley is hilarious, brilliant, genuine, and inviting. Her warm sense of humor, self-described “folksy” style, entertaining stories, and sharp wit make her lessons memorable and an instant favorite among audiences. She leaves listeners thoroughly entertained and uplifted and with practical takeaways for their own lives and organizations.