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, Children’s 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.