Melissa Sprigler
AGE: 37 HOMETOWN: Floyds Knobs EDUCATION: High School, Some College, Licensed Cosmetologist
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Director of Investor Relations at One Southern Indiana. My role focuses on building strategic partnerships, engaging stakeholders and securing funding to support economic development across Southern Indiana.
Tell us about your family: Husband Thaddeus and two amazing girls Adyson and Layla.
What do you do to unwind? Family is the most important thing to me, whether I’ m watching my kids play sports or simply enjoying time together, that is where I belong.
Where would we find your books... in an app or on a shelf? Both! I love reading books on my shelf, but I also enjoy the convenience of reading on an app when I’ m on the go.
What is your favorite movie? l Magic.
The United States is.... home, the place that inspires me to grow, give back, and make a difference in my community.
What is your motto?“ Lead with courage and kindness, live with integrity, and make a positive impact wherever you go.”
I owe it all to.... My family, whose love, guidance, and support have shaped who I am today.
Fun fact about you: I love to play card games.
Where do you find your inspiration? My kids inspire me every day. Watching them learn, grow, and chase what they love pushes me to show up as my best self and work hard to create every opportunity for them.
Where do you volunteer? I have served for YouthLink Southern Indiana and Habitat for Humanity. I’ ve also volunteered
on Women Build with Habitat for Humanity.
Why do you volunteer? I volunteer because even small efforts can make a lasting difference in someone’ s life and we should all strive to leave it better than we found it.
Matthew Zicher
Age: 37 Hometown: New Albany Education: Master of Business Administration
What are your job responsibilities: As Director of Membership at One Southern Indiana, I serve on the Executive Leadership Team and lead strategy for an organization representing more than 1,140 businesses, the largest membership base in our history. I oversee membership growth and retention.
Tell us about your family: I am married to my wife, Alexis Zicher, and we have two beautiful daughters, Zoey( 5) and Harper( 3).
What do you do to unwind? When I have the opportunity to unwind, you’ ll usually find me on the golf course or at the rink playing hockey with my team, the Riverdawgs. Both give me a chance to recharge, compete, and stay connected with friends while enjoying a little healthy competition.
Where would we find your books... in an app or on a shelf? Most of my reading happens through Audible, and I gravitate toward books on leadership, culture, and performance. This year I’ ve read titles like The Ride of a Lifetime,
Unreasonable Hospitality, Extreme Ownership, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
What is your favorite movie? It’ s hard to choose just one since I love movies and often reference them in conversation, but if pressed, I’ d say Moneyball and Top Gun. Moneyball resonates with me for its disciplined, analytical approach to team building, while Top Gun highlights the performance.
The United States is.... The US is an incredible place to live and a country I am proud to call home. As a firstgeneration American on my father’ s side and second-generation on my mother’ s, I have a deep appreciation for the opportunity and freedom this country provides.
What is your motto? My motto shapes how I approach both work and life. Growing up in Chicago, Daniel Burnham’ s words,“ Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’ s blood”, instilled in me the importance of thinking boldly and building things that last. At the same time, Theodore Roosevelt’ s“ Man in the Arena”
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News and Tribune | Twenty Under 40 Class of 2026