CEO Kelli Lawrence Named to Indiana 250 List of Most Influential Business Leaders

We’re proud to share that our CEO, Kelli Lawrence, has been named to the Indiana 250 list for 2025, an annual recognition from the Indianapolis Business Journal that honors the state’s most influential business and community leaders.

The Indiana 250 list is carefully curated through months of research, community nominations, and editorial consideration. Leaders are selected not only for their business success, but also for their impact on their industries, their commitment to innovation, and their contributions to shaping Indiana’s economic and cultural landscape.

About Kelli Lawrence

Kelli Lawrence leads the strategic vision and growth efforts of Onyx+East, a home design and construction company. Since stepping into the role of CEO, she has been recognized as a transformative leader in Indiana real estate development. Under her direction, Onyx+East was named a Fast 25 company by IBJ for three consecutive years (2021–2023).

Over the course of more than 20 years in real estate, Kelli has guided the development and construction of more than 4,500 for-sale and rental homes, representing over $900 million in value. Her experience reflects not just scale, but also a consistent focus on creating thoughtful, people-centered communities.

Beyond her role at Onyx+East, Kelli actively supports education and community growth. She is a past chair of the Ball State University Alumni Association and a current director for the Ball State University Foundation. She also lends her expertise to the board of Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity.

In her Indiana 250 profile, Kelli reflected on the future of the state: “We need to think more strategically about how we attract and retain young talent in our state. That means creating vibrant, opportunity-rich communities where the next generation wants to live, build careers and start businesses.”

Why This Recognition Matters

Being named to the Indiana 250 is more than a personal honor—it’s a signal of the growing impact that Onyx+East is not only making Indiana but also in Florida and Ohio. This recognition highlights Kelli’s leadership as a driving force behind projects and initiatives that fuel progress, inspire innovation, and create stronger communities.

Her forward-thinking vision reflects not only her commitment to Onyx+East but also her role in shaping Indiana’s future as a place where innovation and opportunity thrive.

About the Indiana 250

The Indiana 250 is an annual list published by the Indianapolis Business Journal, highlighting leaders across business, government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector. The 2025 edition features individuals whose influence helps shape Indiana into a dynamic place to live, work, and grow.

Explore the complete list of 2025 honorees here.