Douglas Brown
Former Board Chair of The International Center
Douglas Brown is a skilled lawyer, a vocal advocate, and a true leader who has dedicated his life to enriching Indiana’s global presence through his service on the boards of many iconic institutions.
Douglas Brown is a distinguished figure in the Indianapolis community, known for his lifelong commitment to global leadership and community service. In his professional life, Doug works as a Partner in the Business Services Group of Bose McKinney & Evans LLP, as well as a Principal and Senior Policy Advisor of the firm’s ancillary business: Bose Public Affairs Group LLC.
Since he began practicing law in 1985, Doug’s legal acumen has not gone unnoticed. The Indianapolis Business Journal has named him one of the most distinguished and influential lawyers in the city, while Law & Politics has recognized him as one of Indiana’s Super Lawyers. In 2003, Governor Frank O’Bannon even honored Doug with The Sagamore of the Wabash Award—the highest honor bestowed by the Governor of Indiana.
But for all his professional accomplishments, Doug Brown’s true legacy lies in his endless spirit of volunteerism. From St. Mary’s Early Childhood Center to the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana Foundation, each of which he served as board President, and from the Indy Chamber and Franklin College, to the 500 Festival and the American Cancer Society – Indiana, Doug has served on the Board of Directors for many iconic Hoosier institutions, where he helps shape the future of our community.
For an impressive 17 years, Doug dedicated his time and expertise as a member and officer of the Capital Improvement Board (CIB) of Managers of Marion County. This board carries the significant responsibility of overseeing the ownership, financing and operation of all major venues in Indianapolis, including the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium and Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
In addition to his work on the Capital Improvement Board, Doug also represented the CIB on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Sports Corp (ISC). This non-profit organization is the nation’s first-ever sports commission and the team that made Indianapolis the Amateur Sports Capital of the World. Through the work of leaders like Doug Brown, ISC has hosted over 500 national and international sporting events here in Indiana, including the 1987 Pan American Games, the 2012 Super Bowl and 19 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
In these leadership roles, Doug has helped strengthen the local community, while growing Indiana’s global reputation for both business and tourism. For years, Doug Brown also served on the Board of Directors at The International Center, as a true believer in their mission to make Indiana a more sophisticated and welcoming destination for international visitors.
“Our region is a wonderful place in so many ways. But until The Center—and other like-minded groups and individuals—helped open us to the world, we suffered from the effects of isolation,” said Doug. “The International Center has delicately yet firmly been a constant and effective voice for globalism in a region that would not have gone there naturally—not without The Center’s enduring advocacy.”
During his time on the board, Doug worked closely with the late Christel DeHaan, who was the Board Chair of The International Center at the time. Together, they helped drive globalization efforts across the state and raise awareness of the multicultural community living within and beyond the Hoosier State.
“Christel was a true internationalist who helped guide and inform my own service as Board Chair after her,” said Doug. “She helped me and others see our region from the perspective of a foreign national, trying to successfully navigate our customs and institutions.”
This global perspective shaped the trajectory of Doug Brown’s career, as he became a lifelong advocate for international awareness in Indiana. Doug and his wife, Constance, have many cherished memories of engaging with the international community—from meeting foreign delegations to supporting multicultural events.
In 1993, Doug even became a Founding Board Member of the International School of Indiana (ISI), where he served for nearly 15 years, ultimately as Board President. The International School has earned global acclaim for its curriculum based on the International Baccalaureate program—and a reputation for graduating hundreds of highly motivated “Citizens of the World,” including Doug’s two sons.
Through these various roles and commitments, Doug Brown found a new understanding of the many diverse cultures around the world. In his own words, “It made me more knowledgeable and appreciative of the countless beauties that internationalism brings each of us who summon the courage to embrace them.” But most importantly, Doug’s work helped pave the way for countless other Hoosiers to follow in his footsteps and discover their own appreciation for the beauty of internationalism.
