Local recruiter left mark on Indianapolis tech workforce
Donald Raymond Kellner, 74, a fixture in Indianapolis’ technology recruiting and mentoring community, died May 21, 2026. A longtime resident of Carmel, Kellner spent more than four decades connecting technical professionals with leadership and engineering roles across central Indiana, according to his obituary published in The Indianapolis Star.
As owner and lead technology recruiter for The Consulting Forum and Momentum LLC, Kellner played a central part in building talent pipelines at a time when Indianapolis and its suburbs expanded their technology and engineering sectors. He also served as an advisor to local universities and technology leadership societies, roles that colleagues say amplified his influence beyond individual hires to the shape of the region’s professional networks.
“May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him.”
Born April 6, 1952, in Philadelphia, Kellner later moved to Buckskin, Indiana, and graduated from Indiana University. His obituary lists family survivors including his wife, Kristine Kellner; children Ryan, Nathan, Braedon and Alexandra Kellner; and grandchildren Grayson, Emily, Sebastian and Charlotte. He was predeceased by his parents, Margaret and Edward Kellner, his brother Edward Jr., and an infant daughter, Nathalie.
Impact on employers and students
Recruiters like Kellner serve as intermediaries in the regional labor market, matching specialized skills to companies at all stages. In Indianapolis, where life sciences, software and advanced manufacturing have grown in recent years, long-term relationships between recruiters and academic institutions can help smooth transitions from campus to career and address employer demand.
- Four decades of recruitment experience in Indianapolis and surrounding areas.
- Owner and lead recruiter for The Consulting Forum and Momentum LLC.
- Advisor and mentor to local universities and technology leadership societies.
The obituary does not list funeral arrangements. Family members and community members posted remembrances online after the notice appeared in The Indianapolis Star on July 10, 2026.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 74 |
| Date of death | May 21, 2026 |
| Residences | Carmel, Indianapolis area |
For Indianapolis employers and institutions that relied on Kellner’s network, his passing removes a well-known connector from the local talent ecosystem. The recruiter’s extended involvement with universities and leadership groups underscores how nonacademic actors contribute to workforce development in central Indiana.
