A (work)force for good

Justin Christian

Justin Christian founded BCforward in 1998 after graduating from DePauw University with a BA in Computer Science.

Justin leads the overall BCforward corporate strategy and develops executive-level relationships with its customers and corporate partners. He serves as a member on the boards of the Lumina Foundation, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, AAA Hoosier Motor Club, and The DePauw University Board of Trustees, among others. Justin is also a member of the Business Equity for Indianapolis Taskforce. In 2020, Ernst & Young (EY) named Justin a National Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner.

He and his wife live in Zionsville, Indiana, with their four daughters.

Jen Franklin

Jen Franklin leads BCforward’s global delivery services, supporting client satisfaction and candidate exerience leveraging 15+ years of project, product, and service management experience.

A proud Boilermaker, Jen graduated with degree in English and Communication from Purdue University. Jen lives in Indianapolis with her husband and their three daughters.

Bryan Smith

Bryan Smith is the Acting CFO at BCforward and has historically served as an advisor supporting BCforward’s corporate growth strategy. In addition to supporting BCforward, Bryan is the President of Smith Equity Partners, a growth-oriented private investment and advisory firm based in Indianapolis leveraging an extensive background in high growth and turnaround situations as both a corporate leader and investor. An industry generalist, Bryan has successfully led operations and closed transactions in the healthcare, technology, logistics, construction, and publishing industries.

Bryan is a graduate of Butler University. He resides in Indianapolis with his wife, two daughters, and two sons.

Patrick Foley

Patrick Foley leads BCforward’s Professional Services business development activities, supporting client objectives through engaging BCforward’s consulting capabilities across all industries. Patrick has led business development for national and global clients over the past 15 years across multiple industries. Patrick graduated from Michigan State University, with a BA in Employment Relations. He resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his wife and two sons.

Kris Katelman

Kris Katelman leads BCforward’s global sales organization’s business development activities supporting clients’ objectives with our talent network and workforce management services – Payforward & Talentforward.

Kris has held various positions in sales leadership with responsibility for business development in staffing, worforce solutions and consulsting services over the past 15 years, following his start in the industry as a recruiter.

Kris graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication. He lives in Tampa, Florida with his wife and three children.

Janice Gunst

With more than 25 years as corporate counsel and a host of experience at respected organizations, Janice brings exceptional expertise to her role as Vice President & General Council for BCforward. Janice’s extraordinary analytical skills and ability to negotiate complex governance issues, mergers and acquisitions, and securities matters has earned her recognition as a strong communicator and creative problem solver who is able to execute legal and business responsibilities with aplomb. Janice graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Juris Doctorate from Indiana University School of Law.

Janice is the author of multiple legal publications, a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors’ Accelerate Program, and a certified yoga teacher.

Nikki J. Henson

Nikki has an extensive background in administration, oversight, and human resource management. She holds a Master’s Degree from Butler University and a Bachelor’s of Science from Alabama A&M University. Before joining BCForward, Nikki spent over 25 years devising educational programs and strategies for students and working professionals. As the founder of Sharpened Minds, LLC, she provides resources for parents and professional development for educators. Over the course of her career, she has designed and implemented numerous instructional methodologies, assessments, and process improvements. Outside of BCForward, Nikki teaches classes at Marian University.