Staff

Claudia Cummings is the president & CEO of the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance (IPA), one of the largest statewide networks in the country created to boost philanthropy’s impact in communities throughout its state borders. 

A strategic leader and dedicated public servant, Claudia brings a distinct vision and passion to maximizing the impact of Indiana’s foundations, corporations and social investors that collectively hold more than $21 billion in assets and make more than $850 million in grants annually.

During her tenure leading IPA, Claudia has worked with leadership to inspire innovation and action; to engage members in collaborative forums to address key issues; and to amplify the diverse voices that make up Indiana’s philanthropic sector. 

Prior to joining IPA, Claudia served as vice president of strategic development at Conexus Indiana, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) initiative that has positioned the Hoosier state as the best place for advanced manufacturing and logistics industries to invest, employ, and succeed. For more than ten years, she served in senior leadership at Conexus Indiana, overseeing nationally recognized collaborations on workforce development and education between industry, academic, philanthropic, and public sector partners.

Prior to her work with Conexus Indiana, Claudia served as Deputy Commissioner at the Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA), where she focused on small business development. In addition to her role at IDOA, Claudia previously worked in various policy, 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 is deeply involved in her community, including service on the boards of Sagamore Institute, Goodwill Education Initiatives, Indiana University Public Policy Institute and the Bowen Center for Public Affairs at Ball State University.  She previously served as a member of the Indiana Election Commission, State Workforce Innovation Council, and the Board of Directors of the Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank.

Claudia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Franklin and Marshall College; a Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University's O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs; and an executive certificate from the Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business.

Holly oversees IPA’s public policy initiatives, executes strategic initiatives important to IPA members, and secures sponsorships to aid in furthering IPA's mission.

Holly joins the team at IPA after working for trade associations representing home builders in two of the fastest growing cities in the country—Austin and Seattle. Prior to working on housing policies, Holly served as executive director of the Center for Women and Democracy, Indiana Leadership Forum, and Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series, non-profits focused on civic engagement.   

From 2008-2010, Holly served as an appointed Commissioner on the Marion County Alcoholic Beverage Commission. She has worked for various levels of government, including as staff to the Indiana Senate and Program Director for the Indiana State Treasurer's Office, overseeing the Public Deposit Insurance Fund (PDIF) as well as the Education Savings Authority.  Additionally, Holly implemented a new voting system while directing the Marion County Election Board in 2001, and later organized the first satellite voting sites in the state of Indiana setting the stage for current vote centers.

Holly made the Indianapolis Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list in 2009, and was recognized by Governor Mitch Daniels as a Distinguished Hoosier in 2010. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from Indiana University-Bloomington and is a 2007 alumnae of the Campaign School at Yale University. She and her husband, Michael, live in Zionsville with their three daughters. 

Amy leads IPA’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. In this work, she oversees board and staff training, consulting, and networking opportunities that strengthen Indiana's 94 community foundations. Amy also serves as a navigator for IPA’s GIFT VII community leadership work.

Before joining IPA in 2020, Amy served for eight years as executive director of Blue River Community Foundation based in Shelbyville, Indiana. In this role, she built cross-sector partnerships for greater impact, transitioned the foundation to a catalytic model, improved operational efficiencies and nearly doubled the foundation’s assets.

Prior to her work at the community foundation, Amy had a successful career in community development. She was the redevelopment director for the City of Shelbyville and the executive director of Mainstreet Shelbyville. As redevelopment director, Haacker led collaborative plans for community and economic development efforts as a Stellar Communities program finalist. She also helped create a workforce development partnership with the City of Shelbyville and Rose Hulman Institute of Technology that provides local career pathways in engineering, science and technology.

Amy earned her master’s degree from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment and bachelor’s degree from Purdue University’s School of Agriculture. She completed Ball State University’s Building Better Communities Indiana Economic Development course, has a Certificate in Fund Raising Management from IU Lilly School of Philanthropy and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive.
 

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.

Julie supports IPA educational programs, website development, and social media efforts. She also provides support for the delivery of IPA's youth philanthropy training and technical assistance.

Before joining IPA, 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.

Sarah directs learning and professional growth opportunities for community foundation staff and boards across Indiana. She also serves as a navigator for IPA’s GIFT VII community leadership work funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc.

Before joining IPA, Sarah worked as 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.

Lissa oversees IPA’s communications and marketing strategy. In this role, she is a skilled communications jack-of-all-trades—maintaining IPA’s website and CRM integration, managing IPA's brand and outreach efforts, and overseeing IPA's digital communication 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 the company's volunteer service projects.

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.

Maria supports IPA’s efforts in providing technical assistance to Indiana’s 94 community foundations serving all counties in the state through its GIFT—or Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow—team. She previously worked as theater director at Cathedral High School. She has also served as a limited-term lecturer at the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance at Purdue University. Maria has over 12 years of management, administrative, writing, researching and customer service experience. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater from Purdue University and a Master in Fine Arts from The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University.

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.