Staff

Claudia is responsible for the overall management of IPA and works closely with its Board of Directors in developing IPA's role as a leader in philanthropy in the state.

Prior to joining IPA in 2019, Claudia served as vice president of strategic development at Conexus Indiana, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) initiative positioning the Hoosier state as the best place for advanced manufacturing and logistics industries to invest, employ, and succeed. For over ten years, Claudia was a senior leader with Conexus Indiana, overseeing collaborations on workforce development and education between industry, academic, philanthropic, and public sector partners.

Claudia has dedicated her career to public service and community impact. Prior to her work with Conexus Indiana, she was Deputy Commissioner at the Indiana Department of Administration, where she focused on small business development. She has also worked in various policy advocacy, communications, and leadership positions for the Mayor of Indianapolis, Speaker of the Indiana House, Marion County Clerk, and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.

Claudia currently chairs the Goodwill Education Initiatives Board of Directors and serves on the Leadership Council of the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council and as vice chair on the Distinguished Alumni Council for the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA). She has also been a member of the State Workforce Innovation Council and the Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank.

Claudia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; a Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs in Bloomington, Indiana; and an executive certificate from Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Rosemary has spent her career in the philanthropic sector. In her current role, she provides leadership to the GIFT program which provides board and staff training, consulting, and networking opportunities for over 90 community foundations in Indiana. 

Prior to joining IPA in 2010, Rosemary was with Central Indiana Community Foundation for 17 years, serving in various roles, including chief operating officer and vice president for Partnerships and Community Initiatives. She also worked for the United Way of Central Indiana and Community Centers of Indianapolis. 

Rosemary has served on numerous not-for-profit boards, including Indiana Humanities, Indianapolis Parks Foundation, TechPoint Foundation, and the Lacy Leadership Association. 

Jill develops a diverse offering of programs and events for IPA members, stakeholders, and partners. In this role, she explores targeted initiatives and partnerships that support foundation development and impact. Jill also oversees IPA affinity groups and technical assistance to support youth philanthropy.

Jill brings over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, with a strong focus on program and curriculum development, training/evaluation, grant writing, and nonprofit management. Jill previously served as the Program Director and primary contact for the Youth Philanthropy Initiative of Indiana (YPII), a signature program of IPA, authoring resources and providing technical assistance to promote and support youth philanthropy. Jill also facilitated training on how foundations and nonprofit organizations can engage younger generations in their communities. Passionate about lifelong learning, community collaboration, and empowering younger generations to take action and make a difference, Jill’s prior work experience includes 15 years in the museum field.

Jill earned a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and master’s degree in Museum Studies and Non-Profit Management from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

Belinda assists with the administration and communication of community foundation learning opportunities, Foundation Legal Help Desk, and the Tri-State Community Foundation Partnership webinar series.

Belinda’s nonprofit office and administrative work spans 29 years, beginning at United Way of Central Indiana in 1990. She was the second employee for the newly created Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) in 1996. During Belinda’s 12 year tenure at Central Indiana Community Foundation, she held various positions, including coordinator for Women’s Fund of Central Indiana, investment analyst, grant coordinator, operations associate, and assistant to special projects, initiatives, and supporting organizations.

Belinda graduated from Beech Grove High School and began her work life shortly after. She is married, has three children, and a Chiweenie named Bullet.

Sonya has been in the philanthropic field for more than 25 years. She currently serves as consultant to GIFT, a signature program of IPA, created and supported by Lilly Endowment Inc.

Prior to her role as consultant to IPA’s GIFT program, Sonya taught as adjunct faculty with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, created and lead Franklin College’s nonprofit certificate program, directed Indiana’s I-GIVE program, and served on the Johnson County Community Foundation’s board of directors for ten years before becoming its president/CEO.

Sonya has compiled, edited, and published an extensive guidebook for families to consider charitable estate planning. She is also a longtime board member of JCCF, co-founder of the Youth Philanthropy Initiative of Indiana, president of Bowlingtown Heritage Association and Delta Delta Delta Alumnae Association, and volunteer for several other local and state organizations.

Sonya is an alumna of Franklin College, Leadership Johnson County, and the University of Indianapolis. She resides in Greenwood (Center Grove), Indiana, with her daughter Meredith.

Becky directs membership recruitment and stewardship activities, oversees marketing, and assists in advocacy efforts of IPA.

Becky has spent the majority of her marketing and development career in the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining IPA in 2016, she served as a philanthropic advisor for the Central Indiana Community Foundation; program manager for the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC); and development director for Second Helpings, Hoosier Environmental Council, and Indianapolis Humane Society, among other great organizations. In 2004, Becky and her husband founded Well Done Marketing, a full-service ad agency located in the Indianapolis neighborhood of Fountain Square.

Becky has a bachelor’s degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University Bloomington. She currently serves as vice president on the Board of Directors at FACE Low-Cost Spay Neuter Clinic in Indianapolis and is founding member of Tonic Ball, an annual fundraising event for Second Helpings, also in Indianapolis.

Terri works with GIFT staff to provide training and on-site consultation for the boards and staff of the 94 community foundations in Indiana. She provides technical assistance in all aspects of the community foundation field.

Before joining IPA in 2012, Terri was the executive director of the Northern Indiana Community Foundation (NICF) in Rochester, Indiana, for ten years. Prior to becoming the executive director, she served as NICF board member while also co-owner of her family business. Terri has served on several community nonprofit boards, including Fulton Economic Development Corp. and Fulton County Leadership Academy. She is an active member of Grace United Methodist Church.

She is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University and International Business College. She holds degrees in business management and accounting.

Tony serves as a “navigator” for IPA’s GIFT VII community leadership work funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc., and provides support to IPA’s education programs.

A Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy^®, Tony consults with donor families, grantmakers, and their advisors and associations about purpose, use of resources, action planning, and learning. In four years as executive director of the Roy A. Hunt Foundation, he facilitated changes in visioning, impact investing, grantmaking, trustee education, and operations for a multi-generation family. In 12 years and four roles at the Central Indiana Community Foundation, Tony developed and led grantmaking and community change initiatives, advised generous entrepreneurs and families on philanthropic tools and strategy, attracted $39 million in assets and co-investments, and co-founded a social enterprise. He began his career managing technical assistance, grants, and tax credit programs for the Indiana Department of Commerce.

Based in Fort Wayne, Tony is a senior advisor to the Impact Finance Center, senior consultant with Ekstrom Alley Clontz & Associates, and senior consultant with the National Center for Family Philanthropy. He has a Master’s in Music from Butler University and interdisciplinary B.A. from Manchester University. Tony has volunteered for more committees, task forces, and boards than he can remember.

Julie supports youth philanthropy related programs, communications, resources, training, and initiatives. She provides technical assistance to members on youth philanthropy, while supporting IPA social media efforts. She provides overall support for the delivery of youth philanthropy training and technical assistance.

Previously, Julie spent four years with the Indiana Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as the Student Series Campaign manager. Working with thousands of students at hundreds of Indiana schools, she raised more than $2 million to support blood cancer research and patients, and became a mentor to colleagues in other chapters. In 2018, Julie took on a more personal role as she managed her daughter’s LLS Student of the Year campaign, which raised $63,107 in seven short weeks. Julie began her nonprofit career as a chapter relations specialist with Sigma Theta Tau, International, the Honor Society of Nursing.

Julie earned a bachelor’s degree in public affairs, specializing in public policy, from Indiana University School of Public & Environmental Affairs in Bloomington, Indiana.

Catrena assists with planning and coordinating networking meetings, educational programming, and public-policy events. She also performs administrative and office support activities for senior management staff. Reach out to Catrena if you have an event registration question.

Sarah serves as a “navigator” for IPA’s GIFT VII community leadership work funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc.

For the past seven years, Sarah has been the director of development for Starke County, part of the Northern Indiana Community Foundation (NICF). In that role, Sarah has had the opportunity to work with a number of coalitions and partnerships, including ones focusing on community health and early childhood education, as well as an effort to achieve a Stellar Community designation. Sarah brings to the role a real passion for community philanthropy with a particular interest in community development. Prior to her work with NICF, Sarah held positions at The Heritage Foundation, the John Jay Institute for Faith, Society, and Law, and the Colorado State House of Representatives.

Sarah graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Political Science and earned her Certificate in Fundraising Management at IUPUI.

Jalen has worked with IPA’s GIFT team since 2016. She is responsible for supporting GIFT initiatives and coordinating event logistics for all GIFT programs, including in-person workshops, boot camps, and online trainings. Jalen also directs GIFT’s Office Manager Deep Dive Days and Luncheons, and she assists extensively with the IPA Conference.

Jalen earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Global and International Studies and minor in Religious Studies from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. She is passionate about her community and currently volunteers as a facilitator for Girls Inc., and is a faithful volunteer at the Lincoln Center. 

Lissa manages IPA’s communications and marketing strategy. In this role, she is a skilled communications jack-of-all-trades—designing and maintaining the IPA’s website and promotional materials, managing IPA's brand and outreach, and overseeing social media strategy.

Lissa currently serves as a member of United Philanthropy Forum’s Knowledge Management Collaborative, which unites philanthropy supporting organizations across the country in an effort to improve a shared CRM and website technology platform based on Salesforce and Drupal.

Prior to joining IPA in 2016, Lissa worked in the corporate sector as senior marketing associate with American Structurepoint, a nationally ranked design firm. In this role, Lissa assisted architectural, urban planning, and engineering marketing and business development efforts for the following markets: federal, municipal, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, education, transportation, environmental, and commercial. Lissa also supported the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts by directing wellness initiatives for 400+ staff in nine offices, while actively participating in volunteer service projects on behalf of the company.

Lissa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History with Studio Art minor from Indiana University Bloomington. While achieving her degree, Lissa served as president of Golden Key International Honor Society, public relations assistant to the Eskenazi Museum of Art, and collections curator for IU Mathers Museum of World Cultures.

Marilee manages accounting files, membership records, data management, HR administration, and other office operations. She serves as a liaison with outside vendors and service providers. Marilee also supports Board and Audit Finance Committee meetings.

Marilee serves IPA’s lead Salesforce administrator. She is also a member of the United Philanthropy Forum’s Finance/Administrative Peer Community and the Knowledge Management Collaborative, which unites philanthropy supporting organizations across the country in an effort to improve a shared CRM and website technology platform based on Salesforce and Drupal. 

Marilee has an Associate of Arts degree, majoring in Humanities, and a Certificate of Secretarial Sciences from Wabash Valley College. She has worked for IPA since 1993.