Chris Sinclair Honored with The McCloskey Mentor of the Year Award
The Anthem Group is proud to share that Anthem President, Chris Sinclair has been named the inaugural Mentor of the Year at the McCloskey Founders Summit, hosted at The University of Notre Dame.
The McCloskey Founders Summit is a gathering of Notre Dame’s top founders. The broader McCloskey program is a signature event in Notre Dame’s innovation ecosystem, built to connect student entrepreneurs with the mentors, investors and resources they need to build ventures that last.
This award recognizes an individual whose mentorship-driven approach, internship programming, and commitment to developing emerging professionals have made a meaningful and permanent impact. Chris was selected based on direct testimony from those that he has supported. From building The Anthem Group from the ground up to mentoring hundreds of students, professionals of all ages, and founders from all corners of the globe, Chris has always led with one core belief: build something that matters.
“Chris is the 2 a.m. mentor,” said John Henry, Director of Student Startups & Engagement at Notre Dame. “He picks up the phone, dives in deep, celebrates when things go right and advises when they don’t. Our founders credit him with changing how they think about building something that matters. That’s what this award is about.”
The award was presented by Adam Toland – a former Anthem intern and a living example of what Sinclair’s mentorship looks like in practice. It was a fitting moment: the very thing being recognized, delivered by someone who experienced it firsthand.
Chris was all over campus last week, from the award conferring to connecting with Head Football Coach Marcus Freeman to fireside chats and leading student advisory sessions.
It is the kind of recognition that reflects who Chris has always been. Since founding Anthem with his entire personal savings of $500 while still a teenager, Chris has grown The Anthem Group into a multi-industry enterprise with activity in over 70 markets across five continents. That lived experience is the foundation of his mentorship – practical, sustained and never transactional. He continues to show up for founders long after any formal program ends, through the wins, the pivots and the hard calls that define the entrepreneurial journey.
Congratulations, Chris. This recognition belongs to you – and to every founder whose path looks a little clearer because of you.
