An Interview With Chad Silverstein
A purpose-driven business does not chase short-term gains, it invests in long-term impact. That is why we do not make business decisions solely based on profit margins; we focus on what will make the biggest difference over time.
In today’s competitive business landscape, the race for profits often takes center stage. However, there are some leaders who also prioritize a mission-driven purpose. They use their business to make a positive social impact and recognize that success isn’t only about making money. In this interview series, we are talking with some of these distinct leaders and I had the pleasure of interviewing Katie Lucas.
Katie Lucas is President of Lucas Oil and responsible for blending day-to-day operations with long-term strategic goals, providing oversight of company policies, procedures, campaigns and growth initiatives. Additionally, Katie leads all of Lucas Oil’s philanthropic and community engagement endeavors.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us your “Origin Story”? Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I was born in Indiana, but my childhood was shaped by experiences all across the country. My father’s career took our family from Connecticut to Washington to Texas, before we eventually returned to Indiana. That is where I went to high school, attended Indiana University, met my husband Morgan and where we are raising our family.
This question is a poignant one as about a year ago my mother rediscovered one of my old elementary school worksheets. It was like finding a time capsule of childhood dreams, something a mother would certainly keep tucked away in the back of a closet, and it helps describe my “origin story.” The worksheet asked the question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My younger self had written prophetically: a mom and a businesswoman.
That aspiration ultimately came true, as it was a reflection of what I grew up seeing in the example my parents set for me. My father was an executive at GTE and Verizon, and I loved going to work with him. I remember being very engaged in Take Your Daughter to Work Day, never missing the opportunity to join him in the office, even following him around with a little notebook and pretending I had important things to jot down. From an early age I knew I wanted to go into business and work in that environment like my father.
Similarly, my mother had a profound influence on me, as all great mothers do. She was deeply involved in the community — whether through church, non-profits or helping neighbors — and she encouraged us to join her as much as possible. Growing up I saw firsthand the powerful intersection of business and service, how they go hand in hand, because they did in my family, and I knew I wanted to do both in my adult life as well.
Today, I am in an incredibly fortunate position to be able to lead a company and give back in a way that matters, that I learned from my family.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
Throughout my time at Lucas Oil, there have been countless moments of growth and inspiration. I have had the opportunity to engage with so many amazing organizations and nonprofits in Indianapolis. Our city is filled with people and groups doing remarkable work to serve others, many of which I wasn’t aware of before taking on this role.
And along the way, as I’ve developed my own leadership style, I have learned a great deal from watching and emulating other incredible leaders who have shaped Indianapolis. It is interesting to me how great an influence leaders have on each other. We all want to be better. To do what is best for our business, people and communities. So, I have tried to take in the best examples and traits from other leaders — humility and empathy, steadiness and resolve, and acting as a servant leader with a firm foundation in faith. All of that has had a tremendous impact on me, and I hope a positive one for Lucas Oil as well.
One of the most profound experiences I have had in this role has been witnessing the evolution of our philanthropic efforts, particularly our work with Ascension St. Vincent here in Indianapolis. The medical team there has had a direct impact on my family, and so many families in the area. We have found ourselves in their care during some of our most challenging moments, but what I did not realize at first was how many of our employees had similar stories. Learning that many of us shared that bond as patients or as parents of patients was inspiring. Sharing that connection, and driven by my own personal experiences, we took on a more active role in supporting the hospital’s mission and they soon became one of our most valued partners.
As we became more involved, I had the opportunity to meet patients and families whose lives were changed because of the resources and medical advancements made possible by community support like ours.
We often learn the most from our mistakes. Can you share one that you made that turned out to be one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned?
One of the most important lessons I have learned as a leader is to delegate. For many of us that can be a challenge. Early on, I felt compelled to handle every detail myself — not out of reluctance to ask for help, but the belief that I could and should manage it all. Especially those initiatives that were precious to me or I was passionate about — especially philanthropy. I believed I could be both the executive champion and the daily manager. But what I learned is that trying to do everything does not make you a stronger leader.
Instead, that mindset limited our ability to expand and scale effectively. I was getting swept up in details and losing time and space to focus on the bigger picture. The turning point came when I realized that in order to maximize our philanthropic giving, I needed to entrust day-to-day responsibilities to a dedicated person whose sole focus was ensuring our initiatives are executed effectively and with the greatest possible reach.
That is when we brought on a dedicated Manager of Community Impact. Having someone to oversee the details and trust that person to do the job well and right has been tremendous for myself and the company. With her whole focus and attention on the program, we have been able to take our initiatives to the next level — crafting new employee engagement programs, expanding our reach, and creating a more strategic approach to service that helps elevate everything we do.
As leaders, we have a tendency to feel the need to be involved in everything. But trusting your team, empowering them to lead, and stepping back when needed — that is where real growth happens. And I am still learning that every day.
As a successful leader, it’s clear that you uphold strong core values. I’m curious what are the most important principles you firmly stand by and refuse to compromise on. Can you share a few of them and explain why they hold such significance for you in your work and life?
Courage, trust, transparency, and integrity most of all — these are the guiding principles that I strive to embody in my leadership and they are deeply ingrained in our company culture. They are not just words on a page, they are values to live by and lead by.
Mistakes are inevitable, we are all human, but integrity determines how we respond to them. I always encourage my team to take accountability, be honest, learn and move forward. Failure is not the problem, dishonesty is. And as long as decisions were made with integrity and the best of intentions, we can navigate any challenge. But integrity is something we will never waver on.
We apply this not just in how we operate internally but also in how we do business. It’s fundamental to our relationships with clients, our sales team, and, most importantly, our products. Our tagline is “It Works” — and the reason people say that all the time is because it actually does. It is not a slogan but a promise. We do not compromise on the effectiveness of our products, and we hold ourselves to that same standard of integrity in every aspect of our business.
Courage is another fundamental value to me. Leadership requires the ability to make difficult decisions, engage in hard conversations and hold ourselves and others accountable. Growth doesn’t come from avoiding difficulty — it comes from facing it head-on with conviction and purpose.
What inspired you to start a purpose-driven business rather than a traditional for-profit enterprise? Can you share a personal story or experience that led you to prioritize social impact in your business?
For me, purpose and business have always been intertwined. Lucas Oil was built on the foundation of solving real problems — and that same problem-solving mindset extends to how we approach our role in the community. I was raised with the belief that business success should be used as a platform to serve others, and that perspective has shaped how I lead today.
Like any company, our goal is growth, but my view of true success is not measured in revenue alone but in lives benefited. Asking, how much more can we do? instead of, how much money can we make?
A defining moment for me came years ago when we lost our dear friend Eric Medlen, a talented NHRA Funny Car driver, to a traumatic head injury from a racing accident. His passing was devastating, not just for those of us who knew and loved him, but for the entire racing community. In the wake of that loss, we knew we had to do something — not just to honor his memory, but to create real, lasting impact in a way that would help others.
That’s how the Eric Medlen Memorial Golf Tournament was born. What started as a way to raise money in his honor has grown into a long-standing initiative that supports pediatric care and medical research. Over the years, we have seen firsthand how these funds have changed lives — how children have received life-saving treatments, how families have found hope in the hardest of times.
Gradually, we set aside more resources and devoted more time to building a robust philanthropy program. We have been able to support dozens of organizations like Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital and Wheeler Mission, and we have met families whose lives were changed because of the medical resources, shelter, and support they received through these efforts; seeing that is an inspiration to try and do more every single day. It is also a reminder that our contributions — whether financial, volunteer-driven, or through advocacy — go beyond just writing a check. They have the power to bring hope and real change to people who need it most. That’s why social impact isn’t just an initiative at Lucas Oil; it’s part of our DNA.
Can you help articulate a few of the benefits of leading a purpose-driven business rather than a standard “plain vanilla” business?
Leading a purpose-driven business yields benefits that go far beyond financial success. When your company is built on a mission, it attracts the right people, builds stronger customer loyalty, and creates a lasting impact that outlives any single business cycle.
A clear purpose helps attract and retain employees who genuinely care about the work they do. I think people want to be part of something bigger than just a paycheck. When they feel connected to a company’s mission, they are more engaged, more motivated, and more loyal. At Lucas Oil, our team is eager to participate in volunteer efforts — our employees show up on their own because they believe in what we are doing. That kind of buy-in doesn’t come from salary or benefits alone; it comes from a sense of shared purpose.
Consumers today do not just buy products — they buy values. They want to support companies that give back and operate with integrity. That is why we are so intentional about both our community involvement and the quality of our products. When someone buys Lucas Oil, they know they are getting something that works, but they are also supporting a company that reinvests in people, communities, and organizations that matter.
At the end of the day, profits come and go, but impact lasts. A purpose-driven business creates a legacy that extends beyond its products and services. It builds a culture of service, generosity, and integrity that continues for generations. And that is what truly makes it all worth it.
How has your company’s mission or purpose affected its overall success? Can you explain the methods or metrics you use to evaluate the impact of this purpose-driven strategy on your organization?
Our mission has always been about more than just selling great products — it is about making a meaningful difference in the lives of our customers, employees, and the communities we serve. One of the most powerful ways our mission drives our business is through our commitment to trust and integrity. Our employees, customers and partners choose to work with us because they know they can count on us and our products.
When it comes to measuring impact, we make business decisions based on ROI, data, and research. And we apply that same level of strategy and analysis to our philanthropy, but by measuring metrics beyond the monetary. Instead, we take a broader approach when evaluating impact. We try to see the human outcomes: how many meals served, how many items donated, how many people cared for, how many students learned a new skill or enjoyed a new playground, how many opportunities were created for people in need.
I believe that when you focus on people first, everything else falls into place. Invest in your team and your community with purpose, and the business will follow. It is a philosophy we emphasize daily: do the right thing, the right way, for the right reason. More often than not, that leads to extraordinary results.
Can you share a pivotal moment when you realized that leading your purpose-driven company was actually making a significant impact? Can you share a specific example or story that deeply resonated with you personally?
This will be cliche, but to me, every single life we touch is significant. But there are moments that stand out and reinforce why we do what we do. One that I often think about is the nursing scholarship we helped establish in honor of an employee’s daughter who passed away.
For him and his family, the scholarship became a way to heal and honor the memory of their beloved daughter. Sometimes, we do not fully grasp the weight of a gesture and how much something that was easy to do — like writing a check — can mean to someone else. Each year, this scholarship supports a student pursuing a career in nursing, carrying forward the dreams his daughter once had. Knowing that we played a small part in that legacy and in something so deeply personal for a family is very meaningful for me.
And, more recently, we were fortunate to announce the new Lucas Family Brain and Spine Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis. It will be a state-of-the-art facility for advanced cranial and spine care able to treat a wide range of neurological conditions, and will transform the way patients receive care in the region. This milestone is especially significant because it wasn’t just a one-time initiative — it was made possible by more than 15 years of support from the Lucas Oil team and its generous partners.
To me, this all comes back to our purpose and remaining committed to making a long-term, real-world impact, whether through funding, advocacy, or hands-on community engagement. Over time, our support has evolved from individual programs to something as transformational as helping fund an entire hospital, and that reflects our deeper commitment to being a purpose-driven company that prioritizes community well-being over short-term gains. We don’t believe in surface-level philanthropy; we believe in being a true partner to the organizations we support, standing alongside them to ensure they can serve more people and save more lives for years to come.
Have you ever faced a situation where your commitment to your purpose and creating a positive social impact clashed with the profitability in your business? Have you ever been challenged by anyone on your team or have to make a tough decision that had a significant impact on finances? If so, how did you address and reconcile this conflict?
Thankfully, no. Philanthropy has never been a debate within our organization. It is woven into our culture and is simply part of who we are as a company. We do not see profitability at odds with purpose, we see them as complementary to one another, even necessary.
I think that speaks to our culture. We have spent years making sure we have the right people in the right roles, and now, we are at a place where it is not just about qualifications — it is about alignment. Does this person share our vision? Do they believe in the same mission? When you have a team that is fully on board, you really do not run into pushback about giving. We look around the room, and we see a group of people who are not only capable and talented but good people. They genuinely care. And that makes all the difference.
What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs who wish to start a purpose-driven business?
First, you have to have a clear vision. Start by defining what truly matters to your company and your people. Purpose-driven leadership is not about doing what looks good on paper — it is about finding an authentic way to make an impact that aligns with your core values. You need to truly know your giving strategy, because the requests will come in from everywhere. It is easy to say no to things that do not align, but it is incredibly hard to say no to things that do align — because sometimes you have to. Understanding your priorities and setting clear guidelines will help you maximize your impact in a sustainable way.
I would also encourage leaders to listen — listen to employees, to the needs of the community, and to the people your business serves. Sometimes, the best way to start is by partnering with organizations that are already doing great work.
And it is not just about writing a check. Do not make a one-time donation — get involved. Our team volunteers, we serve on boards, we engage with the community on a deeper level. And there is a bond that develops when everyone is pulling together and volunteering together. There is genuine fellowship there and that is another aspect that makes it so meaningful. It is a shared mission that is not empty words on a wall — it is something that is lived and embedded in every part of our business.
Also, remain steadfast to your core values. At Lucas Oil we try to instill a strong values-based culture built on Trust, Service, Teamwork, Courage and Passion, which helps guide our decision making across the board. When you build a strong values-based culture, purpose and profitability generally work together instead of competing with one another.
What are your “5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Purpose-Driven Business.” If you can, please share a story or example for each.
Clear and Authentic Mission
A company’s purpose can’t just be a slogan on a website — it has to be real, intentional, and deeply embedded into everything you do. If you do not define your mission clearly, it is easy to get pulled in too many directions. At Lucas Oil, our mission has always been about more than just making great products — it is about giving back to the communities we serve. To improve and impact lives. That is why philanthropy is not a side project for us; it is a core part of who we are. Whether it is supporting children and families, healthcare access, first responders or veterans, we are strategic about where we focus our efforts. Having a clear mission allows us to say yes to the things that truly align with our values and no to things that do not.
Leading by Example
People do not just follow words, they follow actions. If leadership is not living out the company’s purpose, no one else will either. Whether it is building playgrounds, serving meals, or hosting community events, our leadership team is right there in the trenches, side by side with our employees. That kind of leadership sets the tone and creates a culture where giving back is the norm, not the exception.
A Team that Believes in the Mission
You can’t carry the mission alone; you need a team that believes in what you are doing just as much as you do. We have been intentional about hiring people whose values align with ours, and as a result, giving back has become second nature at Lucas Oil. When we organize community initiatives, we do not have to convince people to participate — they are already asking how they can help. We can now say that we have seen firsthand how powerful it is when a company’s mission aligns with its people.
Commitment to Integrity
Integrity is about doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. If we commit to supporting a cause, we do not just show up for a one-time event — we stay invested for the long haul. When we established the Eric Medlen Memorial Golf Tournament in 2008, it was not about a single fundraising event, it became a lasting initiative that continues to grow every year, providing critical support to pediatric care and research.
Long-Term Mindset
A purpose-driven business does not chase short-term gains, it invests in long-term impact. That is why we do not make business decisions solely based on profit margins; we focus on what will make the biggest difference over time. More than 15 years ago when we first committed to supporting the hospitals at Ascension St. Vincent and making them one of our core partners, we weren’t thinking about ROI, we were thinking about the lives that would be saved, the families that would find hope and the future generations who would benefit. That is the kind of impact that lasts, and it is what makes running a purpose-driven business so rewarding.
I’m interested in how you instill a strong sense of connection with your team. How do you nurture a culture where everyone feels connected to your mission? Could you share an example or story that showcases how your purpose has positively influenced or motivated people on your team to contribute?
Creating a culture where employees feel deeply connected to our mission begins with clarity. People cannot rally behind a vision they do not fully understand, so we ensure our purpose is clearly communicated at every level of the organization.
Beyond that, we encourage our employees to get involved in causes they care about personally — not just the ones Lucas Oil supports. We want them to find what they are passionate about, and we have seen the culture of service expand naturally as a result. We have seen our team members step into nonprofit board roles, engage in volunteer initiatives, and champion causes in ways that go beyond their professional responsibilities.
The most rewarding moments come when we see our employees bringing their own initiatives to life, applying what they have learned here in their personal lives. That is when we know our impact extends beyond the business — seeing service and generosity become second nature. That is when you know you have built a purpose-driven culture.
Imagine we’re sitting down together two years from now, looking back at your company’s last 24 months. What specific accomplishments would have to happen for you to be happy with your progress?
In two years, I would love to see profound, measurable impact in the businesses and in the communities we serve. Growth is always a goal, but for me, it is about expanding what Lucas Oil and its people can do for the communities we serve.
I hope to see an even deeper level of employee engagement in our philanthropic efforts. I have loved watching the team’s enthusiasm for initiatives like the Eric Medlen Memorial Tournament grow over time. So many of our employees want to be a part of it and volunteer their time freely. I would love to see even more of our employees stepping up to lead volunteer projects, joining nonprofit boards, and finding causes they are passionate about. We do not just want to make an impact as a company — we want our entire team to feel personally connected to the mission.
I would also love to see continued expansion in our philanthropic reach. That means more meals served, more families supported, more resources provided to the communities that need them most. It means growing initiatives and expanding the ways we give back — whether that’s through scholarships, internships, community programs or partnerships. Community needs evolve and we want to be sure our efforts evolve as well.
And of course, seeing the Lucas Family Brain and Spine Hospital open and fully operational, changing lives as the premier medical facility for neurological care in the region. I hope to hear stories of people whose lives were saved or helped because they had access to exceptional care.
I would be immensely proud to see a headline like: “Lucas Oil Continues to Prove Business Can Be a Force for Good.” That is what I want our legacy to be — proof that you can build a strong, successful company without compromising on integrity, purpose, or generosity. If we can look back and say we did that, then we have done something truly meaningful.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I believe the most profound change can start with the simplest action: kindness. In a world that can feel divided and overwhelmed by challenges, a commitment to kindness has the power to unite, uplift and brighten someone else’s day, and yours as well, sometimes in ways you may never fully realize.
More importantly, it does not have to be a grand gesture. It can be as small as holding the door for someone, offering a kind word, or just being present when someone needs you. Small moments of generosity and compassion have ripple effects that extend far beyond what we can see.
One of my favorite quotes is from Mother Teresa: “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” That message resonates deeply with me. Change starts with how we treat the people closest to us, and from there, it expands outward.
If I could inspire a movement, it would be one centered on leading with kindness. Imagine the impact if we all made a conscious effort to treat people with grace, patience, and compassion every single day. We would create stronger communities, healthier workplaces, and ultimately, a better world.
How can our readers further follow your work or your company online?
Readers can learn more from our website, LucasOil.com, or follow us on social media.
This was great. Thanks for taking time for us to learn more about you and your business. We wish you continued success!
Purpose Before Profit: Katie Lucas On The Benefits Of Running A Purpose-Driven Business was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.