Grant Leiendecker
Grant Leiendecker ’11, a former Butler men’s basketball player and Hall of Fame inductee, became Vice President and Director of Athletics at Butler University in May 2024 following the retirement of Barry Collier. He rejoined Butler in 2023 as Associate Vice President for Athletics after leading athletic development at Marquette University, where he helped secure over $15 million in annual commitments. Leiendecker also previously served with The Rams Club at UNC–Chapel Hill, contributing to record-setting fundraising campaigns exceeding $60 million annually. A 2011 Butler finance graduate and 2014 UNC sport administration master’s graduate, he brings extensive experience in athletic leadership, fundraising, and fan engagement. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Kylee, and their five children: Luke, Louise, Lucy, Lettie, and Lawson.
Panel: Ecosystem DNA: Building Partnerships, Purpose, and Performance
This panel brings together distinguished leaders from sports, enterprise services, real estate, and business to explore how ecosystem collaboration fuels excellence across industries. Moderated by Joseph Anderson, the discussion features leaders who have excelled in competitive environments—on the field, entertainment, in the boardroom, and within their communities.
From athletic leadership to business development, this conversation highlights how integrity, adaptability, and relationships define success far beyond any single arena. Panelists will share lessons learned from their careers and how they apply them to build enduring partnerships, strong cultures, and community impact.
Key Themes:
• Performance & Partnership: How teamwork, trust, and shared purpose elevate outcomes in business and sports.
• Leadership Through Service: How leaders create value by investing in people, culture, and community.
• Translating Lessons Across Industries: Applying competitive mindset and process discipline from athletics and enterprise to leadership and growth.
