INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC DESIGN

Michael works extensively in both design and film, aiming to raise the caliber and conversation of both industries in Indianapolis.

He has presented PUP's work across North America, including Design Boom in New York, Brightworks Innovation Day in Toronto, and Creative Mornings in Indianapolis, among others. Through PUP, Michael served as the Steering Committee Co-Chair for Indy Rezone, the city's first comprehensive zoning update since the late 1960s.

His production design work (here) was most recently featured in the first season of Netflix's Russian Doll for which he won an Emmy for Outstanding Production Design. His recent work also includes the Sundance hits Results and Computer Chess, the Toronto-premiering Beneath the Harvest Sky, and Ari Shaffir's Netflix special Double Negative. He holds a Master in Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin. He and Jessica are twins.

CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF DESIGN + FABRICATION

Jessica started with PUP in late 2009, working initially as a product designer. She now oversees all product development - from material sourcing to prototyping - ensuring that PUP continues to deliver awesome, high-quality products. 

Additionally, Jessica works independently as an interior designer. In this capacity, she has worked for Lohr Design and Rowland Design in Indianapolis. She studied Interior Design at Ball State University and is LEED Certified. She and Michael are twins.

BRAND MANAGER

Emma grew up in Indianapolis and studied Fashion Merchandising at Ball State University. She first joined PUP as an Intern in 2015. After living and volunteering in Jamaica, West Indies she returned to Indy with a fresh appreciation for her community (and fried plantains).

When she's not pondering over clever Instagram captions, she's most likely dancing, dreaming up business ideas, or planting trees with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.

RESOURCE MANAGER

Jason is from Morristown, Indiana. After completing a tour in Iraq he returned to his hometown and decided to disrupt the relatively quiet small town with a three day, multi-stage music festival in the town’s local park. Every summer for the last eight years Morristown has been treated to a variety of local and touring bands alongside movies, artists, and local food trucks.

In addition to PUP, Jason works as a tour guide at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He studied geography/urban planning and event management at IUPUI. He lives on the southside with his fiancée alongside four cats and a goldfish.

STUDIO ASSISTANT

Sara grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. She studied Photography at Indiana Wesleyan University. After falling in love with Indiana during her college years, she moved to Indianapolis in 2014. She first joined PUP as a volunteer during the summer of 2017.

She has a passion for the zero waste lifestyle as well as sustainable and ethical clothing. You will most likely find her thrifting and running her secondhand clothing business during her free time. She lives on the westside with her husband.

LEAD PRODUCT DESIGNER

Amy grew up on a Missouri farm where making something from nothing was often a necessity. She earned a degree in graphic design and remembers the smell of ink from the Iowa press where she first set type. Amy moved to Indianapolis in 2006, began sewing products in her basement in 2012 and for PUP in 2014. She likes home, travel, photography, gardens and helping creative people do good things.

SENIOR PRODUCT DESIGNER

In 2009, with a passion to connect the consumer with the producer and increase the standard of living for those working in production factories, Elizabeth started Liz Alig - a clothing and dress line made from upcycled and recycled fabrics, and produced by several fair trade groups around the world. 

She brings these talents to PUP, where she's been designing and making PUP products since 2010.

STITCHER

STITCHER

Michelle grew up in central Indiana and studied Apparel Merchandising at Indiana University. She recently Joined PUP after working in Marketing for several years. She has always had a knack for creating products and brings product development experience from past jobs. She is the owner/designer/maker for Busty’s Fun Bags, a local boutique line of handbags and small leather and canvas accessories. 

Michelle is a Realtor with the FC Tucker Company and serves Central Indiana. She has a passion for Mid-Century houses and furnishings. She lives on the north side of Indianapolis in a Mid-Century home with her husband and pack of fur-kids. She also has a passion for fashion and is a Retailer for the size inclusive company, LuLaRoe. In her free time she likes to socialize with friends and hang out with the local Tiki group. 

KEY VOLUNTEER

Mary is originally from Davenport, Iowa and is now retired from public school teaching and administration after 40 years. Along with volunteering with PUP since 2012, she volunteers with IPS, Christ Church Cathedral, the League of Women Voters, and is currently a docent at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. She and her husband Greg have been married for 44 years, and together have one son and two grandsons.

STUDIO ASSISTANT

STITCHER

Luke grew up in Plymouth, Indiana. He moved to Indy when he was a junior in high school. After graduating in 2013, he studied apparel design at The Art Institute. He started working as a stitcher at PUP in 2019.