Riley Doubles Down on Hunger

Morris led the United Nations World Food Programme in Rome from 2002-2007.

The Riley Children’s Foundation is matching a $100,000 grant awarded to the Indy Hunger Network by 2015 Daniels Prize winner Jim Morris and the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation. The organizations say the funding will boost collaborative efforts among corporate, health care and nonprofit leaders to fight child hunger and improve infant health.

Morris, who currently serves as vice chairman of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, led the United Nations World Food Programme in Rome from 2002-2007. He was chosen as the winner of the 2015 Mitch Daniels Leadership Prize by a panel chaired by retired Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall Shepard. His career also includes leadership roles at Lilly Endowment Inc. and Indianapolis Water Co.?

The Hunger Network is led by Dave Miner, a former executive at Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) and Elanco. He says he is "deeply honored" that the organization was chosen for the grant, and says the funding will "enable exciting new collaborations" to assure good nutrition for mothers and their infants.

The Mitch Daniels Foundation Prize is awarded every two years. The 2013 award went to former Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) Chief Executive Officer Tim Solso. Thursday’s event was emceed by Inside INdiana Business Television Host Gerry Dick.