Kanger
The Hamilton County Leadership Academy (HCLA) announces that Maria Kanger has been selected as its next executive director.
The announcement was shared with community leaders and alumni at the annual HCLA Home for the Holidays Luncheon held on Thursday, Dec. 4. Kanger will begin her new role December 15.
Kanger brings a distinguished career in leadership development, higher education administration, professional training, and community focused programming. With nearly 15 years of progressive leadership experience, she has served in roles that required strategic planning, curriculum design, compliance oversight, and relationship building across diverse stakeholder groups.
Most recently, Kanger served as Professional Development director at MIBOR REALTOR® Association, where she managed all educational offerings for more than 10,000 real estate professionals across central Indiana. In this role, she directed continuing education programs approved by the State of Indiana, led the MIBOR Master Professional Certification Program, and oversaw the Real Estate Academy of Leadership. She also served as staff liaison to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, advancing initiatives such as the Breaking Barriers Scholarship Program and representing MIBOR on the Board of Directors for the Central Indiana Real Estate Association.
Her experience also includes significant leadership roles in higher education. At Butler University, she served as associate dean of students and as the University’s Title IX coordinator, managing prevention and response efforts, leading compliance reporting, supporting crisis response, and facilitating training for staff, faculty, and students. She has also held positions at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), where she supervised professional staff, conducted outreach, and managed university conduct processes, as well as Occidental College in Los Angeles and the University of Notre Dame, where she served as rector for Cavanaugh Hall, leading a residential community and supervising staff.
Kanger is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, earning both a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Theology and a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Notre Dame Law School. She has served numerous professional leadership roles with the Association of Student Conduct Administrators (ASCA), including chairing national communities of practice and presenting at national conferences. She also holds the National Association of REALTORS Commitment to Excellence endorsement and diversity certifications through NAR and the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance.
“We are thrilled to welcome Maria as the next executive director of HCLA,” said Andy Litke, president of the HCLA Board of Directors and director of Project Management at The Hagerman Group. “Her impressive experience, strong understanding of Hamilton County, and passion for servant leadership made her stand out in a highly qualified pool of candidates. The excitement this search generated reinforces what we already know, HCLA is the leadership program of and for Hamilton County leaders. Our board could not be more enthusiastic about the future under Maria’s leadership.”
Throughout her career, Kanger has built a reputation for strengthening programs, fostering community engagement, and empowering individuals to lead with purpose. She brings a proven record of creating meaningful connections, developing comprehensive training programs, and advancing mission focused work.
“I am honored to join the Hamilton County Leadership Academy and to help advance such an impactful mission,” Kanger said. “HCLA has shaped community leaders for more than three decades, and I look forward to building on that legacy by supporting our alumni, engaging new partners, and elevating the program’s visibility and impact across the county.”
