About the IYSA
We’re connecting youth services across the state of Indiana.
IYSA STAFF MEMBERS
Kenneth Allen
Chief Engagement Officer
Kenneth is the Chief Engagement Officer for Youth Services Association. He serves the entire state and is based in Marion County. As the Program Director, he trains the community on the effects of human trafficking on our youth, attends community meetings to increase our network of service providers, and serves as the statewide spokesperson for IYSA’s Anti-Trafficking Program. He attended Ivy Tech State College and Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis where he majored in Business. He also has a certificate in Education Finance from Georgetown University. He has worked in the victim advocacy field for over a decade. He also serves as At-Large Member of the Indianapolis Public School Board. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and fishing.
Sheila Bobay
ITVAP Coalition Coordinator
Sheila is a Regional Coalition Coordinator covering South East Indiana, based out of Harrison County, where she lives. She trains the community on the effects of human trafficking on youth, attends community meetings to increase the network of service providers, and assists with case coordination when a victim is identified to find the best available service provision referrals. She graduated from the Indiana University Southwest with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She began her professional career in public service as an EMT, firefighter, first responder, and 911 dispatcher. Her continued work focuses on facilitating education within her community, creating connections for services, and serving youth populations who are at great risk to be exploited. In her free time, she enjoys time with her family, horses and animals on her farm.
Melinda Bowman, MLD, CYC-P
Director of Journey Community
Director of Journey Community, Melinda, is a natural at both making people feel welcome AND ensuring the important work of The Journey is organized and efficient. Melinda ensures all the Journey programs, fellowship and initiatives are well-planned and successful. Prior to her work in The Journey, she served with AmeriCorps NCCC, worked as a fourth-grade teacher and ministered to students at Ball State University. Melinda received her BS in Elementary Education from Ball State University and her Masters in Leadership Development with a focus on non-profit organizations from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. She is a certified Chopra Health Instructor, helping people find balance and live healthy lives.
Nancy Brown
Finance Manager, Mission Management Services
Nancy joined IYSA in October 2015. She enjoys serving the non-profit community using both lobes of her brain and is very happy to be working with some of the best people she knows. Nancy studied percussion performance and jazz at Indiana University and still uses her skills with WARHEADS, the drumline for Indy Eleven. When not drumming or accounting, she enjoys knitting and relaxing with her cats.
Meagan Cunningham
ITVAP Coalition Coordinator
Meagan is a Region Coalition Coordinator covering South Central Indiana. She trains the community on the effects of human trafficking on youth, attends community meetings to increase the network of service providers, and assists with case coordination when a victim is identified to find the best available service provision referrals. She is a graduate from Ivy Tech Community College with a degree in Human Services, with a focus in Addiction Studies. Meagan is also Co-Founder of a recovery community organization, Recover Out Loud and a Certified Recovery Coach, serving 8 years in the field of substance abuse and mental health. Her career expertise has ranged from intake coordinator, case management, and life skills, to group facilitation and program development.
Surekha DiOrio
Chief Financial Officer & Vice President of Administration
Surekha has in-depth capability and experience with a broad variety of not-for-profit organizations as well as extensive experience working for major corporations in financial management, investment research, operations, and strategic planning. She currently leads the financial management and bookkeeping service areas for Mission Management, overseeing 1 staff member and 20 clients. She is also the CFO for Indiana Youth Services Association and has provided contract CFO services to various not for profit organizations in the region. Surekha possesses a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of North Carolina and an MBA in Finance and International Business from Columbia Business School.
Dr. Robin Donaldson
Chief Impact Officer
Dr. Robin Donaldson is the Chief Impact Officer at Indiana Youth Services Association, a member organization that provides training, and support for Youth Service Bureaus in Indiana. She is also the founder and CEO of Collective Impact Training and Consulting, LLC. Dr. Donaldson worked at National Safe Place for five years and was at Youth Services Bureau of Monroe County in Bloomington for 12 years. She has been teaching psychology classes at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana since August 2001. Dr. Donaldson has a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Social Psychology, a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and has a graduate Applied Neuroscience certification. She is a federally-approved trainer in trauma-informed care and an ACEs Interface Master trainer. She has been a licensed Mental Health Counselor and a licensed foster parent. She is the mother of four sons and has one granddaughter.
Anthony Dumas
Journey Fellowship Coordinator & Facilitator
Journey Co-Facilitator, Anthony is a life-long eastside Indianapolis resident. A graduate of Warren Central and Ball State University, he has over 20 years of experience of youth work and leadership experience. His job history includes working directly with those incarcerated within the Marion County Justice system, Indianapolis Public School #63, and the previous eleven years walking alongside homeless and housing displaced youth and young adults. Anthony loves spending time with his wife Sonna and his six children. In his free time, he loves to grill out and all things pickleball!
Lisa Eicher
Service Provider Support Director
Lisa is an advocate at heart who is passionate about creating systems of care that are equitable, accessible, and safe for all persons especially those most vulnerable. Her responsibilities include training service providers to excel at trauma-informed, victim-focused interventions with individuals who have been trafficked or exploited. Lisa holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Trine University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Indiana University. Lisa lives on a third-generation family farm in northeast Indiana with her husband. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family.
Will Glover
ITVAP Coalition Coordinator
Will is a Regional Coalition Coordinator covering West Central Indiana including Tippecanoe County with West Lafayette serving as his base hub. He trains the community on the effects of human trafficking on youth, attends community meetings to increase the network of service providers, and assists with case coordination when a victim is identified to find the best available service provision referrals. Will graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Recreation Sports Management . He worked in the criminal justice field for 12 years before changing focus into social work. In his free time, he enjoys playing with his son, exercising, and playing video games.
Jeremy Greenlee, MA
ITVAP Program Director
Jeremy is the Program Director for the Indiana Trafficking Victims Assistance Program and brings over two decades of experience working with survivors of trafficking or other forms of exploitation. Prior to joining Indiana Youth Services Association, Jeremy was a clinical team supervisor at Oaklawn Psychiatric Center’s child & adolescent residential program. Jeremy is a board member of the Anti-Trafficking Network of Northeast Indiana and founded the Anti-Demand Working Group for Indiana’s statewide human trafficking taskforce, IPATH. Jeremy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Anderson University and a Master’s Degree from Wheaton Graduate School.
Ian Hurst
ITVAP Coalition Coordinator
Ian is a Regional Coalition Coordinator covering North Central and North West Indiana, based out of South Bend. He trains the community on the effects of human trafficking on youth, attends community meetings to increase the network of service providers, and assists with case coordination when a victim is identified to find the best available service provision referrals. He graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies. He has worked in social services for 15 years with therapeutic foster care and juvenile probation, as well as teaching fourth grade. In his free time, Ian is busy with his wife and three children.
Jessica Herzog-Hall
Director of the ACEs Indiana Coalition
Jessica Herzog-Hall is a graduate of Bellarmine University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. During her academic career Jessica dedicated herself to understanding all aspects of what a survivor of violent crime experienced. Jessica served as a Legal Advocate, assisting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking through the court process. She then served as an intern with the Louisville Special Victim’s Unit. Assisting the police officers with victim interviews, case organization and arresting offenders. Prior to joining the Indiana Trafficking Assistance program, Jessica worked at Chaucie’s Place as a Prevention Education Coordinator. Helping to educate the community on child sexual abuse prevention and suicide prevention. Mrs. Herzog-Hall has a great passion for helping rid the world of human trafficking. She is currently working towards her Masters of Social Work and is thrilled to continue to advocate for Indiana families as the Director of the ACEs Indiana Coalition.
JaToya Jones
Administrative Specialist
JaToya is a native of Gary, Indiana and graduated from Roosevelt High School. She holds an AAS degree in Computer Programming and Software Technology from Westwood College of Technology and has over 10 years in the administrative office and non-profit field. She joined IYSA in July of 2021. JaToya enjoys listening to music, watching movies, hosting events, and spending time with her family and friends which includes her 2 daughters and 2 sons.
Heather Maravilla
ITVAP Coalition Coordinator
Heather is a Regional Coalition Coordinator covering Central Indiana, based out of Indianapolis. She trains the community on the effects of human trafficking on youth, attends community meetings to increase the network of service providers, and assists with case coordination when a victim is identified to find the best available service provision referrals. Heather is a lived-experience expert in Domestic Sex Trafficking and Domestic Violence. She is an author, speaker, and spoken word artist, who writes under the name Heather Heartflo. She is the author of; “Love’s Redeemed Daughter the Reflections of Nyla” and “The Sapphire & Scarlet Letters”. Both books are poetry from her experiences. Her 3rd book called, “Words Have Wings”, is a workbook that uses poetry & creative writing as a tool to help survivors process trauma through journaling. She has worked in the anti-trafficking field for 6 years in a variety of roles. Heather has 6 children; 5 grandchildren and they call her Ya Ya.
Shawna Meyer-Niederman
Journey Fellowship & Coordinator
Shawna, a 2010 New Pro fellow with The Journey, brings her passion for youth development to the IYSA team. As a Coordinator & Facilitator for The Journey, she combines her diverse experience with her Master of Science in Youth Development Leadership from Clemson University with her Bachelors of Science in Communication & Culture from Indiana University Bloomington. Shawna’s background includes working with youth in public, nonprofit, and higher education sectors, where she gained experience in programming, management, community engagement, and building organizational culture. She thrives on empowering individuals through authentic relationships, intentional programming, and having fun. Shawna strives to be an ally and lifelong learner. When not with her family in Bloomington, you’ll find her outdoors, travelling, or exploring something new.
Genevieve Meyer, MBA
Coalition Development Coordinator
Genevieve is a passionate advocate against human trafficking, serving as the Coalition Development Coordinator for the Indiana Trafficking Victims Assistance Program. With her extensive expertise and personal experience, she actively consults on trafficking issues to raise awareness and drive change. Holding an MBA and degrees in Human Services and Political Science from Purdue University and Indiana University, respectively, Genevieve combines her knowledge to make a lasting impact. With over a decade in pediatric mental health, she transitioned to the anti-trafficking movement in 2018, becoming a strong voice of resilience. She is widely recognized for her impactful work, featured on CBS, NBC, MSNBC, and more, and is dedicated to empowering survivors and creating a world free from exploitation. In her free time, Genevieve enjoys spending quality moments with her husband and four children, embarking on new adventures, and embracing learning experiences.
Ashley Moore
Journey Program Coordinator
Ashley serves as the Program Coordinator for The Journey. Ashley is a young professional who is passionate about youth worker well-being and spreading genuine love. Ashley previously served at the Edna Martin Christian Center for 4 years in the school-aged youth department and she remains committed to pouring into her community. Outside of IYSA, Ashley is a mother, mentor, student, and a community liaison for children with autism. Ashley also serves on the IAN and the IDOE OST advisory boards. Ashley loves people and looks forward to helping nurture the Journey community and beyond.
Brigitt Nasby
State Safe Place Director
A born and raised Hoosier, Brigitt now calls Bloomington home after growing up in central rural Indiana. Brigitt is a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington. Brigitt joins IYSA after over 5 years at Youth Services Bureau of Monroe County as the Shelter Outreach and Safe Place Coordinator. Through personal and professional experiences, Brigitt has long been drawn to youth work. She looks forward to strengthening and growing the Safe Place program so all youth are empowered to seek help and youth workers are supported in their efforts. In her spare time, Brigitt volunteers for Lotus World Music Festival, goes to as many concerts and live shows as possible, focuses on health and healing, spends as much time as possible with her dogs Indy and Freya, and pretends to be an outdoors person.
Tom Plake, MSOD, CYC-P
Director of Fellowships, The Journey
For over 30 years, Tom Plake has worked extensively as a speaker, coach, facilitator, and provocateur for: corporations, foundations, churches, universities, not-for-profits, state, local and federal government associations, community organizations, and schools. In 1992 he formed his own leadership and organization development consulting firm, Creative Resources, Inc. to help “people and organizations grow.” Tom joined Janet in 2002 to create The Journey and began to design the award-winning programs and experiences that would bring a more intense level of personal and professional development to youth workers in Indiana. Using his design and facilitation skills, Tom ensures that all Journey fellowships and programs are “wow” experiences. Tom holds a bachelor’s degree from Wabash College and a M.S. with distinction in Organizational Development from American University/AUNTL. He is also a graduate of CoachU. He has been a member of the International Association of Facilitators, The Graduate School of Coaching, The National Human Services Assembly, The OD Network and The National Staff Development and Training Association. When not on The Journey, Tom tries to keep up with his wife and two teenage sons while working in a little traveling, reading, and music playing.
Stephanie Putt
Controller
Stephanie Putt, CYC-P, is a highly accomplished financial professional with a diverse background spanning over two decades in business and operations management. She currently serves as the Controller for IYSA, where she ensures the responsible fiscal stewardship of community funding. Stephanie holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Indiana University, complemented by minor certifications in Sociology and Political Science. Additionally, she has earned a graduate Non-Profit Management Certification, reflecting her commitment to excellence in the nonprofit sector. Stephanie's professional journey includes years of experience in corporate finance and higher education finance administration before transitioning her focus to serving the nonprofit community. For over a decade, she has held various operational and programming roles within nonprofits, dedicating herself to guiding organizations towards stabilization and sustainability through effective change management solutions.
Jeananne Reich, CYC-P
Director of Indiana Child & Youth Care Certification
Jeananne is a youth worker who is passionate about professional development. With over 25 years in the field, her background includes work in residential facilities, substance abuse centers, and afterschool programs. As the Indiana CYC Director, Jeananne applies her experience and skills to coordinate CYC Certification for the state. In this role, she coaches and trains youth workers for certification, and supports organizations with professional development resources. She is a Lead Trainer with the Academy for Competent Youth Work, a Safe Sitter instructor, and teaches CPR for the American Heart Association. She is a graduate of Hope College in Holland, MI where she obtained a B.A. in Psychology/Sociology. In her free time, Jeananne likes to hang out with her family, watch movies, and go skating.
Sharon Smith
Manager of Marketing & Events
Sharon holds a B.S. in Journalism and Political Science from Indiana State University and an accreditation in public relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America. Her background includes award-winning campaigns, extensive community involvement, and elevating brands to the next level. She has served in marketing and communications roles at the American College of Sports Medicine, Indiana State Fairgrounds/Indiana State Fair, Riverview Health, Topics Newspapers, and has owned her own PR firm, Maverick Public Relations, for 19 years. Most recently, she provided communications services to Carmel Christkindlmarkt, which has been named the Best Holiday Market in the Country by USA Today. She currently serves on the Downtown Indy, Inc. Marketing Board, Italian Heritage Society of Indiana Board, and the American Cancer Society Discovery Ball Planning Committee. In her spare time Sharon enjoys writing (she’s publishing a children’s book this fall), live music, traveling, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog Alfredo.
Josh Varab, CYC-P
Human Resources Coordinator
Josh serves as the Human Resources Coordinator for IYSA. Josh received his Bachelors in International Studies from Bethel College, South Bend, and spent two years in International Development before transitioning to youth work. Before joining IYSA in 2022, Josh served four years as a Program Coordinator at the John Boner Neighborhood Centers in Indianapolis, IN. During his time there he served youth and youth workers in Marion County in the afterschool and summer camp setting. Josh is passionate about helping youth workers reach their potential and discover successful tools for serving Indiana’s youth. In his spare time, Josh is a drummer for the Indianapolis Colts and has taught drumlines across the state at the high school and college level. He loves to golf, hike, and spend time with his dog Baxter.
David Westenberger
President & CEO
David comes to the Association with a great deal of experience and understanding of the challenges and rewards of leading a youth serving organization having been the Executive Director of a member agency, Foundation for Youth, in Columbus, Indiana for over a decade. David has a degree in Psychology from Millsaps College and Master’s Degrees in Administration and Education from Indiana University. David is also an accomplished Instrument Rated Pilot, and lover of music, serving as the Treasurer of the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation.
Michele Whelchel
Chief Advancement Officer
Michele has been working in the youth development field for over 25 years. Recently she had been the Director of Community Affairs for Promising Futures of Central Indiana since 2000. Michele brings knowledge and experience in implementing initiatives and programs, fund development including special events, and marketing to IYSA. She is married and has three daughters and is a Mimi to five grandchildren. Michele is very involved in her community, she is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Fishers, as well as a Past Assistant Governor for Rotary District 6560. Michele has a passion for nutrition and started a community garden that serves over 28,000 servings of produce to the people that need it most. She is also an artist and loves the outdoors!