Team

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 partnerships to aid in furthering IPA's mission. She directs the John M. Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute. 

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 (IESA).  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. She is the Vice President of Education and Training for the National Women's Political Caucus. 

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 is a Certified Association Executive (CAE), active as a member and speaker with the Indiana Society of Association Executives, Government Affairs Society of Indiana, and serves on the Public Policy Committee for the United Philanthropy Forum. She and her husband, Michael, live in the Old Northside neighborhood of Indianapolis 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.
 

Logan supports the IPA team by managing and streamlining office operations, efficiency, and continued growth.

Before joining IPA, Logan served as brand manager of Asphalt Materials Inc. at The Heritage Group. She defined marketing strategy to personify and elevate brands in the asphalt industry. Prior to that stop, Logan worked as director of operations for Onya, a state-ranked marketing agency in Fishers, where she supported business development efforts by identifying KPIs for programs, processes, and systems implementation.

Logan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in organizational leadership & supervision and spanish language & literature from Purdue University. Outside of the office, Logan has served as Court Appointed Special Advocate® (CASA) as a judge-appointed advocate for children’s best interests. She is fluent in American Sign Language, Spanish, and French. Logan resides on the east side of Indianapolis with her cats, Greenbean and Pickle. 

In his role, John develops, directs, and implements a comprehensive offering of IPA’s philanthropy education, networking, and collaboration programming, including a biennial conference, regional forums, peer communities, skill-building workshops and webinars, and cross-sector issue collaboratives.

Prior to joining IPA, John was a Fellow at The Patterson Foundation (TPF) based in Sarasota, FL. His dynamic fellowship consisted of collaborating within and/or managing multiple special projects across several different initiatives to provide strategic value and further innovation. His primary roles included serving as manager of the Digital Access for All initiative, and intimate involvement with the creation of multiple offerings within TPF’s Nonprofit Thrivability initiative.

Previously, he spent three years with Indiana United Ways in a variety of roles dedicated to supporting all local United Ways throughout Indiana. Prior to that, John was in hospitality for more than 18 years in a myriad of roles, including trainer and manager. He is passionate about helping people and organizations thrive.

John received his degree in Philanthropic Studies from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, the world's first school dedicated solely to the study and teaching of philanthropy. He was named Chancellor's Scholar for his graduating class and proudly serves as chair of the Alumni Association board of directors for the school.

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.

Nick supports IPA’s communications strategy, including content creation and cultivation, messaging, editing, and more.

Prior to joining IPA, Nick worked in journalism, communications, and government relations roles. His most recent stop was as the communications manager for the Indiana Library Federation, the statewide association for more than 2,000 librarian and library supporter members. He was a reporter and editor for various Indiana newspapers and magazines and remains a passionate defender of a free press. He also worked as a government relations manager at the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA), an international trade association for residential technology companies.

Nick earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Political Science from Indiana University – Bloomington and a Master of Public Affairs degree in Nonprofit Management from IUPUI’s Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

JoAnna works with the GIFT Team to develop and deliver programming that provides resources and technical assistance to Indiana’s community foundations.  

Previously, JoAnna was employed as the communications director at Steuben County Community Foundation (SCCF). In addition to managing donor communications and marketing, JoAnna participated in a variety of projects related to grantmaking and program development. JoAnna led the development of a regular nonprofit capacity building series to provide support and learning opportunities for nonprofit leaders in Steuben County. JoAnna also managed the intern program and served as a navigator for SCCF’s youth philanthropy program, FIST. Her appreciation for the community foundation sector began as a participant in youth philanthropy and later internships with the Community Foundation of Noble County.

JoAnna graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management and earned her master’s in Philanthropic Studies through the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in Indianapolis.

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 has served various communications and public relations roles for the Eskenazi Museum of Art and IU Mathers Museum of World Cultures. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University, where she graduated Cum Laude.

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.

Rosemary supports IPA's National Community Foundation Boot Camp and training services, which are offered to foundations across the country.

Rosemary has spent her career in the philanthropic sector. In 2020, she received the Sagamore of the Wabash in recognition of 40 years of philanthropic leadership to the state of Indiana. As an IPA consultant, Rosemary helps lead the Foundation Legal Help Desk and Community Foundation Boot Camp programs.

Prior to her retirement in 2020, Rosemary served as IPA’s vice president and director of their Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow technical assistance program. During this tenure, she was instrumental in building the operational, fundraising, and executive leadership capacities of Indiana’s 94 community foundations.

Before joining IPA, Rosemary held a variety of leadership positions at the Indianapolis Foundation and Central Indiana Community Foundation, including vice president for partnerships and community initiatives (2009-2010), chief operating officer (1999-2009), and vice president for programs/program director (1996-1999). From 1988 until 1993, she served as Director of Programming at Community Centers of Indianapolis, and prior to that for eight years she was director of evaluation and planning associate at United Way of Central Indiana.

Rosemary has also held several important volunteer leadership positions, including serving as board chair for Indiana Humanities and board member for the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival, Indianapolis Parks Foundation, TechPoint Foundation, and the Lacy Leadership Association. 

Sonya supports IPA programs, including the Community Foundation Internship program and Foundation Legal Help Desk.

Sonya has been in the philanthropic field for more than 25 years. Sonya has 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.

Phil Purcell, CFRE, MPA/JD, provides expert legal and planned giving guidance through IPA's Foundation Legal Help Desk, as well as through IPA's GIFT Expert in Residence service. 

With an extensive and varied experience background, Phil offers specialized knowledge in grantmaking, scholarships, fund management, planned giving, nonprofit law, the Pension Protection Act, UPMIFA, and other laws that specifically affect the operations of a foundation. READ MORE

Contact Amy Haacker to learn about GIFT Expert in Residence services.

Alisa provides technical support to Indiana community foundations, with input and support from GIFT staff and Experts in Residence. 

Alisa most recently served as the executive director of the Rush County Community Foundation (RCCF) and is a graduate of the Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute. She led RCCF through growth in staff, assets, and two successful GIFT initiatives, and created innovative partnerships and grant opportunities to position the foundation as a recognized leader in Rush County. Alisa is on the board of the Rush County Economic and Community Development Corporation and is an active member of the Rotary Club and Glenwood United Methodist Church. She attained her BS in sales management from Purdue University and a master’s degree in public health from Indiana University.