Building connections and developing professional networking opportunities can be invaluable. For Kylie Heagy, a senior at Indiana University Indianapolis majoring in applied data science, these were key factors in participating in the Indy 500 Festival Princess Program. Heagy balances academics, community service and leadership roles, all while preparing for a future in business analytics. Now, as one of the newest ambassadors for the legendary Indy 500, she’s ready to inspire and engage with Hoosiers.
The 500 Festival Princess Program selection process is highly competitive, with hundreds of applicants vying for just 33 spots. Community involvement is a key component of the program, and Heagy is no stranger to giving back. She is actively involved in volunteer work through her sorority and a full-ride scholarship program that requires 20 hours of community service each year. One of her favorite volunteer roles is serving as a canine companion at Indy Humane, where she helps with dog enrichment and facility upkeep.
As a festival princess, she’s eager to expand her outreach. “One of my first planned events is working with the Center for Young Children at IU Indianapolis,” she says. “I also want to connect with young women in STEM fields, especially in tech, since being a woman in data science can be challenging. I hope to encourage more girls to pursue those paths.”
In addition, Heagy hopes to inspire young athletes. A former cross-country runner, she wants to engage with student runners and promote health and fitness – the core values of the 500 Festival. “The festival is all about celebrating movement and community, and I’d love to share that message with young runners,” she says.
On top of her duties as a festival princess, Heagy is preparing for graduation and the next step in her career. She has already secured a position in Rolls-Royce North America’s Graduate Development Program, where she’ll rotate through different roles in operations management before transitioning to a full-time business analyst position. Meanwhile, she’s also working toward her master’s degree in applied data science through IU’s accelerated program.
Despite the busy months ahead, Heagy is confident she’ll manage everything. “It’s something I’m passionate about, so I’ll make time for it,” she says. “The festival team is also really supportive and makes sure we prioritize our academics.”
In addition to her individual volunteer efforts, Heagy co-founded Notable Measures, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting youth music education. Founded in 2017 with fellow Zionsville musicians, the organization has raised thousands of dollars to fund music programs across Indiana. “Zionsville has a well-funded music program, but not every community is as fortunate,” Heagy says. “We wanted to help make music education more accessible for other students.”
Though she has yet to meet many of her fellow festival princesses in person, Heagy is looking forward to the journey ahead. “From what I’ve seen in our group chats, it’s such a supportive group of women,” she says. “We all come from different backgrounds and I think we’ll learn a lot from each other.”
As she steps into this new role, Heagy is excited to represent Indianapolis and the 500 Festival. From inspiring young women in STEM to promoting health and wellness, she hopes to leave a lasting impact, just as the program has already done for her. With Heagy’s passion for service, leadership and education, she’s more than ready to take on the challenge.
For more information, visit 500festival.com/programs/princess-program/class.
