Staff
Administrative
Jeanette Dillon, Chief External Officer, jdillon@womensbureau.com
Jeanette Dillon joined the Fort Wayne Women's Bureau in November 2009. Prior to joining the Women's Bureau, Jeanette worked in the communication field in commercial and public radio, most recently as the News Director for Northeast Indiana Public Radio. Her career has given her a background in management, marketing, event planning, fundraising, sales, writing, and teaching. She holds a Master's in Professional Communication and a Certificate in Public Management. She lives with her husband, son, and three pampered kitties in a historic home in southwest Fort Wayne.
Patti Van Leuven, Chief Operating Officer, pvanleuven@womensbureau.com
Patricia Van Leuven received a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Cincinnati in 1979. After 8 years of teaching at the university level, she entered the non-profit arena in a variety of consulting roles—grant writing, need assessments, program evaluation, and demographic studies. In 1995, she joined the Fort Wayne Women’s Bureau as the Research/Development Director and assisted in the implementation of the Transitions Program. She left the Bureau in 1997 to become the first Executive Director of the Drug and Alcohol Consortium of Allen County, bringing the coalition its first federal grant in drug and alcohol prevention. She returned to the Bureau in 2000 as the Director of Quality Assurance, where her primary roles have been accreditation and grant writing. She lives on a lake in Noble County with her husband and their dog and cat. She also is an adjunct instructor for Ivy Tech Community College and for IPFW.
Earlene Cunegin, Chief Financial Officer, ecunegin@womensbureau.com
Earlene L. Cunegin joined the Fort Wayne Women’s Bureau in May 2000 as the Director of Finance and Human Resources. Earlene received the Gold Leaf Award at the 2009 Women’s Bureau Annual Meeting in recognition of her outstanding staff service to the Bureau and has also been named the Woman of the Year. Prior to joining the Women’s Bureau, Earlene has worked in the for-profit and not-for-profit sector where she was responsible for the financial affairs of Lutheran Social Services of Indiana, the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne, and the Fort Wayne Neighborhood Housing Partnership. She is a ‘Proud Boilermaker,' receiving her degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Earlene is an Advanced Master Gardener (Bronze Level) and enjoys spending time with her Doberman-Terrier mix, Kendall, as well as her four wonderful grandchildren.
Rose Hardy, Administrative Coordinator, rhardy@womensbureau.com
Rose Hardy started work with the Women's Bureau in March of 1987. As the Administrative Coordinator, she works closely with the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Operating Officer. Rose's longevity with the Bureau provides a valuable historical perspective. Rose was very active with run, jane, run, the Women's Bureau's long-term fundraiser, and continues to be involved in every special event. She was a recipient of the Bureau’s annual "Woman of the Year" award and was one of the 1999 YWCA Tribute to Women of Achievement honorees. Rose truly wants to help women and strongly believes in the Women's Bureau mission: "Providing equity and opportunity for all women."
Cindi Archbold, HR/Finance Assistant, carchbold@womensbureau.com
Cindi Archbold joined the Fort Wayne Women’s Bureau in February 2009 as the Human Resources and Finance Assistant. She received her bachelor's degree from IPFW in Organizational Leadership & Supervision with a concentration in Human Resources Management. Prior to joining the Women’s Bureau, Cindi was employed by General Electric in Fort Wayne. She served on the Executive Board of IUE-CWA Local 901 where she actively assumed a leadership position of organizing media events to retain union jobs, both locally and nationally, from outsourcing. Cindi volunteers in her spare time with her husband, Rudy Arriaga, for the American Legion, Fort Wayne Three Rivers Festival, IUE-CWA and other community events. She enjoys being a part of the Women’s Bureau and helping to promote our worthwhile mission.
Sheila Stahl, Volunteer Coordinator, sstahl@womensbureau.com
Sheila Stahl enjoyed a banking career at Wells Fargo for 24 years and retired in April, 2009. She’s always played a support role at Wells Fargo and enjoyed being “second banana." Community service and volunteering has always been a part of her life and now she can focus more on “paying it forward." Sheila’s new role as Volunteer Coordinator at the Fort Wayne Women’s Bureau gives her a chance to put to good use all of the life lessons she’s have learned so far. Sheila says, “Thank you again to the FWWB for being a part of my next stage in life."
Women's Enterprise
Monica Hughley, Director, mhughley@womensenterprise.org
Monica Hughley comes to Fort Wayne from Syracuse, New York, where she was the director of Syracuse University's Southside Entrepreneurial Connect Project and Innovation Center. She’s also been the President/Owner at Brown Holding Group, LLC -Chemical Distributor, and a Senior Sales Representative at Mays Chemical. A Purdue graduate, Hughley’s entrepreneurial experience serves Women’s Enterprise well as it promotes the growth of women-owned businesses through programs that offer business counseling, mentoring, training and technical, financial, and procurement assistance.
Jo Ellen Pepple, Administrative Assistant, jpepple@womensenterprise.org
Jo Ellen Pepple was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Following graduation from North Side High School, she began a career in the banking industry. She has also been a receptionist and an office manager. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, fishing and relaxing at the lake with her husband, and spending time with her 2 wonderful children, daughter-in-law, and grandson. Jo Ellen joined Women’s Enterprise in November of 2006, and reports “I love the work here and enjoy helping people.”
Barb Johnson, Program Manager, bjohnson@womensenterprise.org
Barbara O. Johnson, an accountant by profession, earned her Masters in Business Administration/Accounting from Saint Francis University with a minor in Performing Arts. In 1992, Barb was the recipient of the “Tribute to Women of Achievement Award” presented by the local YWCA. She currently runs SheeKriStyle, Inc. (dance studio). In starting her business, networking with Women’s Enterprise provided Barb with guidance and mentoring in the areas of business plan preparation, marketing, financing, and advertising.
Rape Awareness Program
Abby Widmer, Director, Rape Awareness Program, awidmer@womensbureau.com
Abby Widmer completed a Bachelors degree in Social Work with a minor in interpersonal relations from Ball State University in 2000. After working for two years at a local social service agency, she decided to leave and obtain a Master’s of Social Work degree from Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI). After graduating in 2005 with a MSW, she worked in several different social work fields and most recently was the director of a small adoption agency. Abby welcomes the chance to work with individuals as well as the community to raise awareness about sexual assault and its devastating impact on our society. Abby enjoys spending time with her husband Mike, her son Mason, and her dogs Cassady and Stitch.
Melinda Harris, Clinical Counselor, mharris@womensbureau.com
Melinda Harris has worked at the Fort Wayne Women's Bureau Rape Awareness Program since August 2007. She completed a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a minor in Psychology from Manchester College in June 2006, and went on to complete a Master's in Social Work from the University of Denver with concentrations in trauma therapy and "at-risk youth" in the fall of 2007. While in graduate school, she focused on trauma through her coursework as well as with an outdoor leadership program for the youth populations residing in high gang activity neighborhoods of Denver. Melinda enjoys working in a program which offers the community both clinical and prevention services surrounding sexual assault and abuse.
Sheenah Johnson, Crisis Intervention/Outreach Specialist, sjohnson@womensbureau.com
Sheenah Ashley Johnson is a native of Fort Wayne and 2006 graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. Sheenah joined the Women’s Bureau in 2008 and focuses primarily on the radKIDS Program. She teaches kids in local schools the skills necessary to feel a sense of empowerment knowing they have safety plans to protect themselves in case they are attacked. Sheenah is a former NBA Pacemate/Guest Choreographer for the Indiana Pacers’ organization, Dance Coordinator/Choreographer for Fort Wayne’s new NDBL Team, Head Coach for the Indiana Tech Dance Team, and Lead Artistic Director at the family-owned business, SheeKriStyle Academy of Dance Arts, Inc. She is the daughter of Ernest and Barbara Johnson of Fort Wayne and sister to Kristen, a student at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. Dance, fitness, and working with youth are her passions.
Transitions
Amanda Fall, Director, Transitions, afall@womensbureau.com
Amanda Fall joined the Fort Wayne Women’s Bureau as Director of the Transitions program in January 2006. She was born and raised in Fort Wayne. She graduated from the University of Saint Francis in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, and completed her MBA with a focus in management from Indiana Tech in May of 2006. Prior to coming to the Women’s Bureau, Amanda spent 8 years as a Case Manager at the AIDS Task Force. She feels that her job at Transitions is a perfect fit, requiring her to use both of her degrees, and her skills in both social work and management. When she is not working she enjoys time with family and friends, especially with her two children, and watching the Cubs or the San Diego Chargers.
Kendra O’Connor, Clinical Supervisor, koconnor@womensbureau.com
Kendra O’Connor is from Fort Wayne and she received her BA in psychology from St. Mary’s College at Notre Dame, IN and her master’s from St. Kate’s/St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. Kendra has extensive training in sexual abuse for adults and children. She has been working with children since 1999. She has been a school counselor at elementary, grade schools and high schools. For two and ½ years she was a family, adult, child and couples counselor; and for four years worked in nursing facilities as a social service director. She has developed grief and loss, friendship, relationship, and motivation groups for children. Kendra loves being a mother to her son and looks forward to adding more children to her family.
Annie Joslin, Outreach Specialist, ajoslin@womensbureau.com
Annie Joslin is excited to be a part of the Transitions team, where she can combine her skills in public relations with her passion for women’s advocacy. She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a master’s degree in Communications from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Purdue, respectively. She is proud to have a role in strengthening our community – now and for coming generations – by meeting the needs of women and their families. Annie is grateful for the support of her loving husband, Bill, and the amusing antics of their furry four-legged kids, a golden retriever and three cats. She enjoys being the “best aunt in the world” (really, just ask her nephew), photography, and scrapbooking in her spare time.
Jule Godsey, Family Clinician, jgodsey@womensbureau.com
Jule Godsey has worked in the mental health field for over 20 years, including work at Bi-County Services, Easter Seals ARC, Allen County Youth Services, and Washington House. She has a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Saint Francis, and is working to become certified as an alcohol/drug counselor. She is a member of the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors (NAADAC), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Indiana Counselors Association (ICA). Her passion is to touch a life and teach a mind, and to be a world-changer one person and one day at a time. In spite of her busy schedule, she finds time to garden, fish, read, and walk through the woods near her home in Markle. She lives with her loyal dog, Magic, and three cats, and has many hobbies that keep her balanced, active, and healthy.
Kim Sherwood, Administrative Coordinator, ksherwood@womensbureau.com
Kimberly Sherwood was hired in 1996 as the office employee assisting the program coordinator, two case managers, child advocate, three residential assistants, and a handful of clients and their children. Over the years, she has helped Transitions grow into a program that now employs 30 people and serves up to 20 moms at a time! Along the way, Kim has filled the roles of case manager and child case manager/child care supervisor. Kim is proud to see how Transitions and the Women's Bureau have become an integral part of Fort Wayne and surrounding counties. Kim has a bachelor's degree in General Studies from IPFW. She is married to Bud. They have a son, Charlie, three dogs (Gizmo, Rusty, and Buster), and a cockatiel (Rocky). When not working, Kim likes to volunteer, hang out with extended family, take photos and play with editing software, watch sports, and travel.
Sybil Clarkson, Case Manager, sclarkson@womensbureau.com
Sybil Clarkson was born and raised in Fort Wayne, and graduated from Wayne High School. She moved to Newark, New Jersey in 1975, where she briefly attended Rutgers University. After 18 years she returned to Fort Wayne, where she ultimately entered the Women’s Bureau’s AWAC (Addicted Women and Children) program and, two years later, the Transitions program, both of which she successfully completed. Since then, she has earned both an Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, with plans to begin a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Sybil has been employed by the Women’s Bureau for over 5 years, originally as a Resident Assistant prior to her current position.
Greg Conley, Case Manager, gconley@womensbureau.com
Over the last 25 years, Greg has been a minister, case worker, case manager, and counselor. He has a bachelor’s in social work and theology as well as a doctorate of divinity, and he is a chaplain. Greg's favorite part of working at Transitions is the opportunity to help people help themselves.
Beth Rogers, Case Manager, brogers@womensbureau.com
Beth Rogers was raised on a farm in Gibson County, Indiana. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech/Language Pathology from Indiana State University, and a Master of Arts in Speech/Language Pathology from Ball State. She worked as a speech clinician at the Fort Wayne State Development Center for 14 years, but chose to resign that position to address her addiction to alcohol. Her journey has taken her through two halfway houses and the Intensive Outpatient Treatment program at Park Center. With the help of AA and her wonderful sponsor, she has now been sober for over 6 years. She worked at SCAN, Inc. for three years before coming to Transitions. Beth believes that her personal knowledge of addiction gives her a true understanding of the women in the Transitions program. She hopes that each woman can remain clean for the rest of her life and establish a strong bond with her children.
Amanda Voltaire, Children's Specialist, avoltaire@womensbureau.com
Amanda Voltaire joined the FWWB in 2008 as a Child Case Manager at Transitions. In 2009, she was promoted to Child Specialist to assist with the SAMHSA grant. Amanda earned her BS in Counseling Psychology and Sociology from Morningside College in Sioux City, IA. She also earned a MA in Community Counseling and Social Psychology from Ball State University in Muncie, IN. Amanda’s passion is working with at-risk youth and she enjoys facilitating the Nurturing Parenting Program at Transitions. She also has work experiences related to women’s addictions, family home-based services, and parent education. Amanda is currently focused on becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and enjoys spending time with her family.
Kenya Irby-King, Child Care Supervisor, kirby-king@womensbureau.com
Kenya Irby-King holds an Associates degree in Business Management, and is currently back in school working on her Bachelors degree. In the past, she has operated her own home daycare, and has also worked at SCAN, CANI Head Start, Gingerbread House, and was an ESL teacher through AmeriCorp and Fort Wayne Community Schools. While Kenya enjoys the business side of life, she is very much a humanitarian at heart, and has a passion for working with children. She believes in setting goals and striving for the things you want in life – a message she frequently shares as she helps her 12-year-old daughter manage her candle business.