The Community Foundation Serving Howard, Clinton, and Carroll Counties is pleased to announce the 2026 cohort of the Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Series. Thirty nonprofit leaders from across the region have been selected to participate in this comprehensive professional development program designed to strengthen nonprofit management skills.
The Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Series addresses the evolving challenges facing today’s nonprofit sector by focusing on the fundamentals of effective nonprofit management. Participants will attend six monthly sessions from January through June 2026 at the Community Foundation office in Kokomo.
“Strong nonprofit leadership is essential to building thriving communities,” said Todd Moser, president at the Community Foundation. “This series equips local nonprofit leaders with the skills, knowledge, and connections to increase their organizations’ impact. We’re excited to work with this year’s cohort and support their professional growth.”
Participants will explore critical topics such as board governance, strategic planning, marketing, and grant writing, gaining practical skills to strengthen their organizations and expand their community impact.
Participation in the program is limited to ensure meaningful interaction and personalized learning. Sessions are held once a month and cover critical topics in nonprofit management 2026 Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Series Participants:
Teresa Butcher, President, Faithful Friends of Carroll Manor
Naketa Catchings, CEO/Founder, Helping Our Homies Inc.
Cindi Chapman, Administrative Assistant, Upper Room Youth Center
John Chapman, Director, Upper Room Youth Center
Isac Chavez, Board Member/Coach, Boys & Girls Club/Rotary Int’l/Frankfort Youth Baseball & Football
Jennifer Conyers, Board Member/Assistant Treasurer, Stars of Light Gap
Bakir Coulter, Executive Director, The Gilead House
Kayla Covey, Executive Director, Helping Our Homies Inc.
Kareen Dunn, Director of Programs and Impact, Kokomo Urban Outreach
Georgia Everett, CTE Director, Wildcat Creek Career Cooperative
David Fry, Executive Director, ONE80 Recovery Resources, Inc.
Katie Hillman, Adjutant, AMVETS Post 27
Rachel Lattimore, Executive Director, Delphi Opera House
Luke McLaughlin, Artistic Director/Social Media Engagement & Communication Manager/Grant Writer, Red Barn Summer Theatre (On-Stage Foundation)
Josie Miller, Work Based Learning Coordinator, Wildcat Creek Career Cooperative
Samantha Miller, Executive Director, Childrens Garden Carroll County
Jennifer Morris, Office Administrator, Marion-Kokomo JATC
Lisa Myers, Board Member, Habitat for Humanity of the Kokomo Community
Sara Norris, Case Manager, The Gilead House
Hunter Perry, Director of Development, Kokomo Rescue Mission
Lindsey Powell, Board President, Habitat for Humanity of the Kokomo Community
Krista Pullen, Food Resource Coordinator/Executive Director, Howard County Food Access Alliance
Shannon Querry, Community Development Manager, Turning Point SOC
Brittany Rahl-Coleman, Special Projects Assistant, Hope Behavioral Services
JoAnna Rodriguez, Founder, It’s the Little Things of Howard Co.
Maritsa Romero, Childcare Educator, Purdue Extension Community Childcare
Cheryl Simmons, Closing the Gap Director, Carver Community Center
Barbara Tranbarger, Board Member/Treasurer, Stars of Light Gap
Christine Watson, Executive Director, Narrow Gate Horse Ranch
Bob Webb, Commander/CEO, AMVETS Post 27
This initiative reflects the Community Foundation’s commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector across Howard, Clinton, and Carroll Counties by investing in leadership development and organizational capacity building.
For more information about the Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Series, contact Carrie Giannakos, Community Leadership Coordinator, at carrie@cfhoward.org or (765) 454-7298.
About Community Foundation Serving Howard, Clinton, and Carroll Counties:
The Community Foundation of Howard County, Inc. was formed as a not-for-profit public charity in March 1991, with the Clinton and Carroll County Community Foundations each established as affiliates in 1996 and 1997, respectively. Now coined the Community Foundation Serving Howard, Clinton and Carroll Counties, the foundation seeks to serve donors and make grants to benefit the citizens of each county. For more information, contact President Todd Moser at 765-454-7298 or todd@cfhoward.org. Information can also be found at cfhoward.org, cfclinton.org, or cfcarroll.org.