Staff

President and CEO

 alex@cfwabash.org

I am so excited to build upon the strong work and reputation of the Community Foundation and continue to make a positive impact in our community for generations to come. We will continue investing in our residents of all ages and creating a place where our young people are proud to be from, and excited to come home to.

Vice President of Strategic Initiatives

julie@cfwabash.org

Julie Garber has been working with the Community Foundation since 2012 as the Vice President of Programs. Her main areas of focus are early chilidhood education, workforce education, community development, postsecondary scholarships, and grantmaking to nonprofits. Julie was born in nearby Elkhart, Indiana, but has lived in North Manchester most of her life. She graduated from Manchester University, and since has graduate degrees in theology from Bethany Theology Seminary in Oak Brook, Illinois, and the University of Chicago. In her professional life, she has worked in publishing, college teaching, and community development. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, kayaking, and gardening. Twice she has walked on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and twice she has driven from Texas to Nicaragua to work on economic development projects and health promotion in remote communities recovering from decades of conflict. Julie is excited to be working at the Foundation to create high impact programs for education and family prosperity. 

Director of Community Grantmaking and Financial Management

sam@cfwabash.org

Sam McFadden joined the Community Foundation in May of 2021, shortly after graduating with a MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. As Director of Community Grantmaking and Financial Management, Sam leads the Foundation’s Good Deeds grantmaking and impact investing programs, contributes to marketing and communications efforts, and delves into all aspects of community foundation administration. Sam is a native of North Manchester and was a 2004 graduate of Manchester High School and 2008 graduate of Manchester University. Following undergrad, Sam worked for ten years with the U.S. General Services Administration in Indianapolis. Following his time with GSA, Sam traveled with his wife to Seville, Spain, where he lived for ten months and served as a private English language tutor. Sam is excited to be back in his hometown and to help better Wabash County. 

Program Associate

judi@cfwabash.org

Judi Orr joined the Community Foundation in August 2019. She supports many areas of the Foundation, with a focus on the Foundation's Scholarship and Grants programs. Judi enjoys assisting the Community Foundation in its mission to serve Wabash County. Judi’s work experience includes serving as Director of Food Service at Canterbury School in Fort Wayne and Administrative Assistant to the Music Department at Manchester University. Over the course of fifteen years, Judi has traveled to the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in South Dakota to participate in mission work through the YMCA and Habitat for Humanity. In her free time, she enjoys spending time at the lake with her family, quiltmaking, bicycling, gardening, reading, and traveling. 

Data Management Officer

terri@cfwabash.org

Terri Sprunger joined the Community Foundation in March of 2016. As the Data Management Officer, Terri is familiar with all areas of the Community Foundation's work. Terri brings a wealth of administrative experience and data management expertise to the Foundation, from her previous work in the field of medicine, law, and education. Her interest in the Community Foundation stems from her desire to be a part of bettering the Wabash Community. 

Development Associate

melissa@cfwabash.org

Melissa Ford-Kalbfell joined the Community Foundation in May of 2019 shortly after graduating from Indiana University Bloomington with an undergraduate degree in nonprofit management and a Master of Public Affairs. As Development Associate, Melissa works to increase donor engagement, builds relationships with the local referring community, and helps to manage fundraising efforts for the Foundation's initiatives and programs. Outside of her work at the Community Foundation, Melissa serves on the boards of the Wabash County YMCA and Waypoint Wabash County. She is also the director of Wabash Valley Dance Theater, part-owner of Alley Cat Outfitters, and a member of the steering committee of the Young Professionals of Wabash County who work to build leadership skills of young professionals and welcome newcomers to Wabash County.

In her free time, Melissa enjoys cycling and running on the Wabash River Trail, participating in triathlons, and attending community events. Melissa has a passion for community development, education, and youth, and enjoys being a part of the Community Foundation team.  

Director of the Early Award Scholarship Program

joanne@cfwabash.org

Joanne Case joined the Community Foundation in August 2016. Joanne is responsible for implementing the Community Foundation Early Award Scholarship Program for Grades 4 through 8. Joanne is a graduate from Brigham Young University, and also holds a graduate certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language and a Transition to Teaching License. With her strong passion for education, Joanne was excited to begin working with the Early Award Scholarship program at the Community Foundation so that she could partner with schools and families to further empower students to pursue lifelong learning.  

Administrative and Program Assistant

rachael@cfwabash.org

I need to work for a company with a strong purpose, the Community Foundation was a great fit. Being a part of an organization that so tangibly invests in their community is a practical way for me to give back to the general community I call home. When learning more about the foundation, the Early Scholarship programs caught my attention quickly, what an amazing way to invest in the future!