A prestigious early-career development program pairs versatile high-achieving college graduates with future-focused businesses in Indiana.
INDIANAPOLIS (July 6, 2026) – The Annex Group®, a leading impact housing developer that creates affordable, workforce and purpose-built student housing, today announces it has hired Kara Simison and Addison Clark through a partnership with the prestigious Orr Fellowship program. Addison Clark is an upcoming graduate of Indiana University, and Kara Simison is an upcoming graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University, both joining The Annex Group in the marketing department, contributing to our mission to create a positive impact with the people who live, work, and are involved in our communities.
Orr Fellowship recruits, assesses and matches university graduates with high-agency roles in growing Indiana businesses. Together, Orr Fellowship and partner companies give graduates the professional development resources and support network they need to accelerate their careers. The program currently operates two chapters, one in Indianapolis and one in Evansville, Indiana.
This is The Annex Group’s second year of partnering with Orr Fellowship. Nick Logan, Orr Fellow that started within our organization in 2024 as Preconstruction Coordinator has since been promoted to Project Engineer and is a highly valued member of the team.
Orr Fellows are carefully selected from a competitive pool of applicants, ensuring that companies gain access to the most promising graduates from across the country. This year, the top 10% of candidates advanced to Finalist Day from a competitive pool that started with 1200 candidates at the beginning of the recruitment process.
“The Orr Fellowship has a long history of shaping tomorrow’s business leaders, with alumni thriving in leadership roles, entrepreneurship, and beyond. At The Annex Group, we’re honored to partner with Orr Fellowship—investing in bright, ambitious talent and this year focusing on supporting our marketing team growth in exciting new ways,” says Amy Harnish, Vice President of Marketing.
As part of The Annex Group, both Addison Clark and Kara Simison will be working within our development, construction, and property management creative and marketing teams, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. The Annex Group is committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment where young professionals can thrive and develop their careers.
“Partnering with Orr Fellowship enables companies to actively fuel the professional growth and development of future leaders, while Fellows, in turn, bring fresh perspectives and energy to their teams,” said Steven Emch, President of Orr Fellowship. “We’re excited to see our partner companies play such an integral role in shaping Fellows’ experiences. Many Fellows choose to stay with their partner companies after completing the program, making this partnership a strategic investment in long-term talent retention. With 66% of Fellows staying beyond their two-year fellowship, the program creates a reliable pipeline for future leaders.”
For more information about Orr Fellowship and how to become a partner company, visit www.orrfellowship.org.
ABOUT THE ANNEX GROUP®
The Annex Group® is a leading impact housing developer that creates affordable, workforce and purpose-built student housing communities. With a focus on providing innovative, amenitized housing in emerging markets throughout the United States, The Annex Group is headquartered in Fishers, Indiana. To learn more about The Annex Group, visit www.theannexgrp.com or follow them on Facebook and LinkedIn.
About Orr Fellowship
Founded in 2001, Orr Fellowship is an early career development program for versatile high-achievers and future-focused businesses in Indiana. The organization recruits, assesses and matches university graduates with high-agency roles in growing Indiana businesses. Together, Orr Fellowship and partner companies give graduates the professional development resources and support network they need to accelerate their careers in business and positively impact Indiana. Learn more about Orr Fellowship here.