18 Central Indiana nonprofit leaders begin second Executive Leadership and Fundraising Academy

Eighteen executive directors and CEOs within the first few years of their roles will begin the Central Indiana Community Foundation’s (CICF) second Executive Leadership and Fundraising Academy on Wednesday, October 14. The 11-month program focuses on building the leadership and fundraising skills, confidence and peer networks leaders need to lead and sustain their organizations. 

Strong nonprofit leadership is critical to helping Central Indiana thrive. Central Indiana’s nonprofit sector provides essential services and programs, generates $43 billion in annual economic activity and employs 10% of the region’s private-sector workforce. 

The cohort’s organizations serve people in many ways, including youth programs, services for older adults, arts, health, education, neighborhood development and support for Latino communities. They range from neighborhood-based groups to county-level organizations across Indiana. 

The academy exists in response to CICF hearing from nonprofit leaders that new executives needed more access to education and peer networks specific to the new-executive phase of their careers. CICF created the program with The Fund Raising School at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. The first cohort of 16 leaders graduated in September. 

“New executives are often learning the job while they do it, and access to expert instruction can be limited by what an organization’s budget allows,” said Diana Coyle, director of nonprofit services and sustainability at CICF. “This program puts leaders in a room with experienced faculty and with each other. The people in this group already know a lot about running organizations, and they’ll learn a great deal from their peers. Our role is to create that space and bring in people who can add to it.” 

Stepping into an executive leadership role means taking on fundraising, board relationships, people, strategy and the long-term health of an organization at once. The academy gives participants a structured place to build those skills alongside peers facing the same demands. They meet monthly in alternating in-person and virtual sessions on leadership, fundraising, strategic vision, team development, communication, innovation, storytelling and leading through change. Sessions combine practical frameworks, peer conversation, reflection and real-world application, and participants build relationships they can draw on after the program ends. 

Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., senior assistant dean for external relations, clinical associate professor and director of The Fund Raising School, will serve as lead facilitator. Angela E. White, CFRE, president and CEO of Eskenazi Health Foundation, and Vicki Pugh, CFRE, CAP, CEO of Advancement Experts, will join select sessions as guest facilitators. 

The 2026-2027 Executive Leadership and Fundraising Academy cohort members are: 

• Juan Constantino, La Casa de Amistad 

• Jennifer Cooper, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir 

• Erin DeJong, Indiana Women in Need Foundation 

• Belinda Drake, Community Research and Resource Center 

• Sara Ferguson, Fishers Youth Initiative 

• Kristy Hayes, Village of Merici 

• Deniese Hofmeister, Dyslexia Institute of Indiana 

• Tricia Hudson, Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County 

• Chad Huff, Tipton County Foundation 

• Jamie Inskeep, TechPoint Youth  

• Emily Nelson, Westminster Neighborhood Services 

• Andrew Peñalva, Indiana Latino Institute 

• Lindy Powell, St. Joseph Hearing + Speech 

• Lisa Schneekloth, CICOA 

• David Sklar, Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council 

• Akilah Webster, Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center 

• Tamara Winfrey-Harris, Women’s Foundation of Indiana 

• DeAnna Woodruff, Martindale Brightwood Community Development Corporation