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 Nonprofit Capacity Building

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 Nonprofit Capacity Building,  Sam will lead the Foundation's work serving nonprofit organizations. 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. 

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 Imagine Early

joanne@cfwabash.org

Joanne Case joined the Community Foundation in August 2016. Joanne is responsible for implementing the Community Foundation Imagine Early 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.  

Director of Operations

terri@cfwabash.org

Terri Sprunger joined the Community Foundation in March of 2016. As the Director of Operations, Terri is familiar with all areas of the Community Foundation's work. Terri brings a wealth of administrative and financial 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. 

Imagine Early Engagement Manager

judi@cfwabash.org

Judi Orr joined the Community Foundation in August 2019. She supports many areas of the Foundation, with a focus on the Imagine Early Program and traditional scholarships. 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. 

Director of Imagine One 85

Conner Hindman, a recent graduate of Manchester University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing while also being a member and captain of the football team.

Following his time at Manchester, including an internship under Alex Downard, CEO of the Community Foundation, Conner developed a deep connection to the Wabash County community and ultimately chose to make it his home. Conner and his fiancée, Brissa have recently moved to Wabash and are excited to plant roots in the county. 

Now serving as Director for the county’s strategic comprehensive plan, Imagine One 85, Conner is committed to building upon the strong foundation established by his predecessor, Alex Downard, and looks forward to continuing the momentum that’s shaping the future for Wabash County.

Program Associate

Austin Minnis initially joined the Community Foundation as an intern in August 2025 and was promoted to full-time upon his graduation from Manchester University. As Program Associate, Austin supports county-wide planning initiatives and local housing development by executing day-to-day project tasks. His work centers on coordinating community outreach, maintaining property tracking systems, and assisting with financial tracking and budgeting for the Wabash County Development Corporation. Working directly under executive leadership, Austin assists in aligning regional development projects with broader community goals to help improve local infrastructure and housing options across Wabash County.

Marketing Manager

Mason Pickens joined the Community Foundation in June of 2026 as the Marketing Manager, where he leads the Foundation’s marketing and communications efforts in support of its mission and community initiatives. He graduated from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business with a degree in Marketing. Mason’s interest in the Community Foundation’s work stems from his experience as a recipient of the Lilly Endowment Scholarship, which inspired his passion for philanthropy and the profound impact it can have.  Mason is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the Foundation’s team to support its mission through asset development, nonprofit capacity building, and community leadership.