About the IYSA
We’re connecting youth services across the state of Indiana.
IYSA STAFF MEMBERS
Kenneth Allen
Program Director
Kenneth has extensive experience working youth. He attended Indiana University Purdue University - Indianapolis and Ivy Tech State College. Kenneth previously worked as a supervisor for the Marion County Superior Courts Juvenile Division and he also served as the Director of Senior Wellness for Forest Manor Multi-Service Center. Kenneth has received numerous awards both locally and nationally for his work with youth. He currently serves as the Chair for the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males. Kenneth is very passionate about youth and in particular giving a voice to the least of these.
Skye Berger MS, CYC-P
Director of 3C
Skye’s professional background includes child welfare, mental health, addictions, facilitation, and program development. Skye is the founder of Door Opener Academy as a sought-after expert in empowering youth and families while renewing the youth workers and organizations that serve them. Unparalleled in her desire and aptitude to engage international audiences, Skye is able to cultivate excitement and synergy within individuals, families, and organizations. Skye joins the IYSA team to advance curriculum, competency, and culture through The Journey and Child and Youth Care Certification (CYC). Skye is the mother of three young ladies and twin boys. Skye resides in Central Indiana, with a heart for all things non-vanilla, creatively uplifting, and youth work-related.
Sheila Bobay
Region 10 Coalition Coordinator
Sheila is a graduate of Indiana University Southeast and holds a degree in Psychology with concentrations in research and human development. She has dedicated the previous 13 years to youth and their families through Case Management, Independent Living, Shelter Management, Substance Abuse related issues and Outreach/Prevention efforts with National Safe Place. The youth and families she supports have experienced various complex individual trauma(s) including, but not limited to consequences of: family separation, poverty, behavioral issues, mental illness, abuse, neglect, substance abuse, social marginalization and various other vulnerabilities. She began to focus ardently on Human Trafficking 2 years ago through presentations/educating communities, schools, organizations, and is aspiring to create alliances and easily accessible resources within communities to confront the broad-gauged facets of Human Trafficking and Exploitation. Additionally, due to the increasing prevalence of trafficking and exploitation within youth populations, she recently co-founded a youth advocacy program which piloted summer 2018. Sheila is currently a member of the Southern Indiana Human Trafficking Coalition, the Harrison County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and coordinating with the Louisville Metro Human Trafficking Task Force and its’ sub-group focusing on Demand Reduction.
Melinda Bowman, MS, CYC-P, COO
Director of The Journey Fellowship for Students
Chief Organization Officer and Director of The Journey Fellowship For Students Melinda is a natural at both making people feel welcome AND ensuring the important work of The Journey is organized and efficient. She is the Director of the Journey’s program for college students, where she is a natural coach and mentor to young people exploring whether youth work could really be a career for them. 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 National Civilian Community Corps, 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.
Nancy Brown
Account 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
Region 8 Coalition Coordinator
Meagan is a graduate from Ivy Tech Community College with a degree in Human Services. She is a certified Recovery Coach, serving five years in the field of substance abuse and mental health. She started her career as an intern at the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Indianapolis. Her love and passion for recovery and helping others was ignited after witnessing several family members battle their own addiction. She continued to grow in her career and became a certified recovery coach at Centerstone in Seymour, Indiana, making her mark through Southern Indiana. During her time at Centerstone, she had the opportunity to expand the intensive outpatient program and become a part of the Jackson County Drug Court team. She transitioned her role from outpatient treatment to advocacy when pursuing her goal as a freelance journalist focusing on the recovering individuals and the community. Her passion then switched from not only helping adults in recovery but also focusing on prevention work with youth. She is currently serving as a co-founder of a nonprofit organization, Recover Out Loud, utilizing her own experience to empower others in their own recovery journey. She uses her skills and experience for advocacy, prevention, education and raising awareness to empower individuals to recover from the traumas of substance abuse to human trafficking, and every societal issue that impacts our communities. She is a combination of personal and professional experience that brings amount of transparency and authenticity to the work field.
Surekha DiOrio
Chief Financial Officer
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.
Robin Donaldson
Chief Operating Officer
Robin Donaldson is the Chief Operations Officer at Indiana Youth Services Association, a member organization that provides accreditation, training, and support for Youth Service Bureaus in Indiana. Previously, Ms. Donaldson was the Program Development and Research Director for National Safe Place from 2008 – 2013. Prior to joining National Safe Place, she was the Assistant Director at Youth Services Bureau of Monroe County in Bloomington, IN and had been at YSB of Monroe County for 12 years. She has been teaching psychology, human resource, and youth development credentialing classes at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana since August 2001. Robin has a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Social Psychology, a Ph.D. candidate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Adler University, and is a candidate for Butler University’s graduate Educational Neuroscience certification. She has been a licensed Mental Health Counselor and a licensed foster parent.
Jeremy Greenlee, MA
Region 3 Coalition Coordinator
Jeremy brings over a decade of experience working with youth who have experienced complex trauma. Prior to joining IYSA, Jeremy was a clinical team supervisor at Oaklawn Psychiatric Center’s child & adolescent residential program. Jeremy is a member of the steering committee of the Anti-Trafficking Network of Northeast Indiana and co-chairs the Anti-Demand Working Group for Indiana’s statewide human trafficking taskforce, IPATH. Jeremy is a certified training instructor for the Interdiction for the Protection of Children training, which was developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety and is designed to make patrol officers aware of the variety of resources available to assist them in establishing the status of a child who may be missing, exploited, or at risk of exploitation and what courses of action are immediately available. Jeremy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Anderson University and a Master’s Degree from Wheaton Graduate School.
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.
Ian Hurst
Region 2 Coalition Coordinator
Ian is a graduate of Ball State University. He has much experience working with youth in challenging situations. Ian has worked in case management, juvenile probation and therapeutic foster care. He has also taught fourth grade and worked at the Boys and Girls Club of St. Joseph County. Ian is very passionate about Human Trafficking because it is a rising problem that has limited resources.
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
Regional 5 Coalition Coordinator
Heather Maravilla is a lived experience expert in domestic sex trafficking and domestic violence. She is an author, advocate, speaker/trainer and spoken word artist. Heather writes under the pen name, Heather Heartflo. She is the author of “Love’s Redeemed Daughter the Reflections of Nyla” and “The Sapphire & Scarlet Letters”. Both books take you on a journey through Poetry into the mindset of a woman who spent 12 years in the life and her transformation out. Heather uses creative writing lessons in her curriculum called Words Have Wings to help trauma survivors process their thoughts using spoken word poetry. Heather has worked in the Anti-Trafficking field for 6 years. She has been a victim advocate for survivors in trafficking cases in Florida and Indiana, a “boots on the ground” case manager for women in the sex industry. Heather has shared spoken word poetry & hope through her story to ladies in the Indiana Women’s prison, in addition she has been invited to speak on multiple panel discussions, including, An Expose on Child Sex Trafficking in 2o18 with Indianapolis Star Journalist Tim Swarens. She was the Keynote speaker for the Geminus Corporation’s Childhood conference - Stolen Innocence in 2018 in Merrillville Indiana and the Keynote for the Refuge House in Tallahassee Florida’s Survivor Speak-Out in 2019.
Genevieve Meyer, MBA
Coalition Development Coordinator
Genevieve brings over a decade of experience working with youth who have experienced complex trauma. Prior to joining IYSA, Genevieve has worked in pediatric mental health and has taught in higher education. Genevieve speaks about overcoming trauma and building resilience. Genevieve also educates and advocates on the harmful effects of child marriage and human trafficking. Genevieve is passionate about bringing community stakeholders to the table to address challenging societal issues. Genevieve has been interviewed about her lived experience and the work of building large coalitions by NBC News, Red Table Talk, CBSN, People Magazine, and Today among other outlets. Genevieve Meyer is a co-founder of the Resiliency Foundation, peer coach, and committee member of Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking, Indiana Protection for Abused and Trafficked Humans Task Force (IPATH), Anti-Trafficking Network of Northern Indiana (ATNNI), and the national coalition to end child marriage and others. Genevieve is currently the statewide anti-trafficking collation development coordinator for the ITVAP program with Indiana Youth Services Association. Genevieve was successful in advocating to raise the minimum age to marry in her home state of Indiana in 2020 This law also includes protections to protect Hoosier children from going through what she did. Genevieve has continued to work to pass legislation to protect vulnerable children across the United States and the United Kingdom. Genevieve holds an MBA, HSBCP, B.S. in Human Services from Purdue University, an international relations degree from Indiana University, and a master’s degree from Western Governors University.
Brigitt Nasby
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.
Whitney Nixon, MA, CSAYC
Service Provider Support Director
Whitney is the Service Provider Support Director for the Indiana Trafficking Victims Assistance Program through the Indiana Youth Services Association. Since earning her Master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Indianapolis, Whitney’s clinical expertise has been in the areas of assessment and treatment of high-risk youth and their parents, sexually maladaptive behaviors, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care. Whitney also has experience with developmental disabilities, the high fidelity wraparound model and suicide prevention. Whitney’s current emphasis is on prevention and awareness of human trafficking. In Whitney’s role as Service Provider Support Director, she is responsible for building and supporting a network of service providers across the state who specialize in human trafficking. Whitney also provides clinical support to those providers as well as ITVAP staff in their work with individuals involved with trafficking.
Tom Plake, MSOD, CYC-P
Co-Creator and Chief Experience Officer
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.
Jeananne Reich, CYC-P
Director of Indiana Child & Youth Care Certification
Jeananne is a Child & Youth Care (CYC) Practitioner at the Professional Level and has a passion for professional development. With over 20 years in the field, her background includes work in residential facilities, substance abuse centers, and various after school settings. She has direct service and administrative experience. She is an instructor for the American Heart Association, Safe Sitter, and the Academy for Competent Youth Work. Now, as the Indiana CYC director, Jeananne applies her skills by overseeing CYC certification for the state. She is a graduate of Hope College in Holland, MI where she obtained a B.A. in Psychology/Sociology.
Josh Varab
Human Resources Coordinator, CYC - Professional
Josh serves as the Human Resources Coordinator at the Indiana Youth Services Association in Indianapolis, IN. 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 see their greatest strengths and finding successful tools for serving Indiana’s youth. In his spare time Josh is a drummer for the Indianapolis Colts, has taught drumlines across the state at the high school and college level, loves to golf and hike, and spend time with his wife Maria, dog Baxter and cat Stella.
David Westenberger
Chief Executive Officer
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!
Christina Wicks
Region 9 Coalition Coordinator
Christina is a graduate of Ivy Tech State College and the University of Southern Indiana with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. She is very passionate about improving the system in place for those being trafficked, getting more education to the public and creating a community that recognizes and understands the problem. Prior to joining Indiana Youth Services Association (IYSA), Christina worked as a victim advocate with domestic violent and sexual assault victims, where she advocated for victim rights, increased community awareness, worked on the community’s collaborative efforts to end violence and educated the community, organizations, youth and law enforcement on domestic and sexual violence. She currently serves as co-chair for the Southwest Indiana Regional Coalition Against Trafficking (SIRCAT) and serves on the board of directors for Willow Tree of Posey County and Prevent Child Abuse of Vanderburgh county.