Our Staff

Kristen Bitzegaio

Engagement Manager

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Kristen supports the IPA through working with the Mutz Institute, membership, and public policy.

Before joining IPA, Kristen served as the executive director for Zionsville Alliance for Mental Wellness, where she advocated for mental health and wellness through community education. Kristen has also worked as a nonprofit and philanthropic consultant, and grantmaking and community leadership initiatives at a community foundation in South Carolina. While working in South Carolina, Kristen led philanthropic initiatives related to disaster relief & recovery, local journalism, placemaking through arts & culture, rural communities, nonprofit employee mental healthcare, and trust-based grantmaking.

Kristen has a bachelor’s degree in public relations and master’s degree in nonprofit management from Ball State University. She lives in Zionsville with her husband Ryan, their two sons, and a massive Saint Berdoodle named Muncie.

Logan Campbell

Operations Manager

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Logan supports the IPA team by managing and streamlining office operations, efficiency, and continued growth.

Before joining IPA, Logan served as brand manager of Asphalt Materials Inc. at The Heritage Group. She defined marketing strategy to personify and elevate brands in the asphalt industry. Prior to that, Logan worked as director of operations for Onya, a state-ranked marketing agency in Fishers, where she supported business development efforts by identifying KPIs for programs, processes, and systems implementation.

Logan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in organizational leadership & supervision and spanish language & literature from Purdue University. Outside of the office, Logan has served as Court Appointed Special Advocate® (CASA) as a judge-appointed advocate for children’s best interests. She is fluent in American Sign Language, Spanish, and French. Logan resides on the east side of Indianapolis with her cats, Greenbean and Pickle.

Lauren Daeger

GIFT Program Manager

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Working with IPA's GIFT team, Lauren supports event logistics for community foundation programs and provides administrative support for the Community Foundation Internship (CFI) grant program.

She was previously employed at Salesforce under the Customer Success Group. As part of the Nonprofit Cloud team, Lauren bolstered nonprofit customers’ mission-focused work by helping to streamline their behind-the-scenes operations.

She also developed E-Learning content at the training software company Lessonly by Seismic. Before that, Lauren had her professional start in the nonprofit sector in Indianapolis in different capacities.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in public affairs with a nonprofit emphasis from the IUPUI O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Outside the office, Lauren volunteers at a farm animal sanctuary in Brownsburg and has served as a summer apprentice at Growing Places Indy. She leads a very active lifestyle, aims to take at least one solo trip (preferably international) per year, and loves to dance bachata.

John Ferguson

Director of Member Programs

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John develops and direct a comprehensive offering of IPA’s education, networking, and collaboration programming, including biennial conference, regional forums, peer communities, skill-building workshops and webinars, and cross-sector issue collaboratives.

Prior to joining IPA, John was a Fellow at The Patterson Foundation (TPF) based in Sarasota, FL. His dynamic fellowship consisted of collaborating within and/or managing multiple special projects across several different initiatives to provide strategic value and further innovation. His primary roles included serving as manager of the Digital Access for All initiative and being intimately involved with the creation of multiple offerings within TPF’s Nonprofit Thrivability initiative.

Previously, he spent three years with Indiana United Ways in a variety of roles dedicated to supporting all local United Ways throughout Indiana. Prior to that, John was in hospitality for more than 18 years in a myriad of roles, including trainer and manager. He is passionate about helping people and organizations thrive.

John received his degree in Philanthropic Studies from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, the world's first school dedicated solely to the study and teaching of philanthropy. He was named Chancellor's Scholar for his graduating class and proudly serves as chair of the Alumni Association's board of directors.

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Julie Markland

Program Associate

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Julie supports IPA professional development programs and peer communities. She can assist you with event registration and inquiries for youth philanthropy training and technical assistance.

Before joining IPA, Julie spent four years with the Indiana Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as the Student Series Campaign manager. Working with thousands of students at hundreds of Indiana schools, she raised more than $2 million to support blood cancer research and patients, and became a mentor to colleagues in other chapters. In 2018, Julie took on a more personal role as she managed her daughter’s LLS Student of the Year campaign, which raised $63,107 in seven short weeks. Julie began her nonprofit career as a chapter relations specialist with Sigma Theta Tau, International, the Honor Society of Nursing.

Julie earned a bachelor’s degree in public affairs, specializing in public policy, from Indiana University School of Public & Environmental Affairs in Bloomington, Indiana.

Peter McCown

IPA Interim President

(574) 295-8761

Dr. Pete McCown is president of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County (CFEC) and serves as interim President of IPA. Since taking his role at CFEC in 2011, more than $400 million in gifts have been given to the Community Foundation. As president, he serves as chief investment officer and helps coordinate the work of both the growing staff and the dozens of volunteers who serve as board and committee members. As it has grown to be one of the top 100 community foundations in the United States, McCown has guided the organization and helped shape its culture, strategies, and policies. Prior to taking on that role in 2011, McCown served as a professor of business and vice president for advancement at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana. Pete and his wife, Wendy, have been married for more than 30 years, are the parents of five adult children, and have two grandchildren.

Maddison Miller

Vice President, External Relations

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Maddison oversees public policy initiatives, executes strategic initiatives and fundraising, and secures partnerships to further IPA's mission. She also directs the John M. Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute.

Maddison joins the team at IPA after a successful tenure as chief executive officer of the Brown County Community Foundation. Under her leadership, the organization achieved record fundraising, completed a successful GIFT campaign, shepherded its community through the pandemic response, administered hundreds of impactful grants and scholarships, and built new institutions to meet the socio-economic needs of its community. Those efforts included a preschool scholarship program, a high-quality early education center, a state-of-the-art student-run manufacturing facility, and a capacity-building program for small, undermanned nonprofit organizations.

Before becoming immersed in the ecosystem of Indiana nonprofits, regulatory landscapes, and cross-sector partnerships, Maddison spent a decade in state government. Her time at the Indiana Statehouse includes being a legislative staffer in various capacities, association lobbying, and driving advanced data analytics projects within Indiana’s government agencies.

Maddison currently sits on the boards of the Brown County Chamber of Commerce, Youth Enhancement & Training Initiative, and the South Central Community Action Program.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science from Ball State University and her Master of Arts in nonprofit management from Indiana University. She and her husband, Alex, live in Brown County with their daughter, Ruby.

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JoAnna Ness

Director of GIFT Progams

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JoAnna works with the GIFT Team to develop and deliver programming that provides resources and technical assistance to Indiana’s community foundations.

Previously, JoAnna was employed as the communications director at Steuben County Community Foundation (SCCF). In addition to managing donor communications and marketing, JoAnna participated in a variety of projects related to grantmaking and program development. JoAnna led the development of a regular nonprofit capacity building series to provide support and learning opportunities for nonprofit leaders in Steuben County. JoAnna also managed the intern program and served as a navigator for SCCF’s youth philanthropy program, FIST. Her appreciation for the community foundation sector began as a participant in youth philanthropy and later internships with the Community Foundation of Noble County.

JoAnna graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management and earned her master’s in Philanthropic Studies through the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in Indianapolis.

Keva Rop

Director of Finance and Operations

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Keva directs finance and operations, providing a platform for IPA’s talented staff to serve our mission and our statewide partners. Keva recently served as an administrator at the Indiana University School of Medicine, including roles in geriatrics, internal medicine, global health, and pediatric neonatology. She renovated IU’s medical library, developed an emerging medical technology lab, and built an onboarding and training program for new hires in finance. She has presented at national events and volunteers on community boards, providing insight into operations and governance. She spent nearly a decade on the advisory board providing training and structure for emerging leaders transitioning into higher-level departmental leadership roles. Keva’s commitment to public service extends her family’s legacy of community service, including family members in executive government positions and parents who invested in international literacy and education on two continents. Keva’s global projects include Kenya, Africa where Indiana University partners with a local medical school and hospital system in developing rural and urban healthcare interventions. She employed her music education at the American Pianists Association in Indianapolis, working in career advancement for classical and jazz pianists, and public arts education. Her international education includes primary education in Brazil, South America, and study abroad during undergrad at Oxford University in England. She earned a Bachelor’s in Business with a minor in Music from Taylor University, a Master of Business Administration from Taylor University, and a Master of Jurisprudence from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. She holds a certification through the Society of Human Resources Management as a SHRM-SCP.

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Alexandra Ross

Communications Manager

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Alexandra works to uphold IPA's commitment to empowering philanthropy and strengthening communities across Indiana through impactful storytelling, strategic communication initiatives, and social media strategy. She will also collaborate with members to elevate stories of community impact, share resources that support effective philanthropy, and strengthen IPA’s digital presence.

Alexandra joins IPA from Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, a statewide nonprofit that provides no-cost legal services and education to Hoosiers in need. As the organization’s marketing and communications coordinator, Alexandra enhanced the brand identity by refining messaging, visual consistency, and tone across print, digital, and social platforms to increase brand recognition and engagement.

Alexandra graduated from Indiana Tech with a bachelor's degree in digital graphics & design and a Master of Business Administration in marketing. Outside of the office, she enjoys traveling, crocheting, going to historical sites and museums, visiting national parks, and trying new beers at local breweries.

Lissa Silotto

Senior Director, Marketing and Business Intelligence

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Lissa oversees IPA’s communications and marketing strategy—amplifying the impact of philanthropy, maintaining website and CRM integration, managing branding and outreach efforts, and overseeing digital and print communications.

Lissa currently serves as a member of United Philanthropy Forum’s Knowledge Management Collaborative, which unites philanthropy supporting organizations across the country in an effort to improve a shared CRM and website technology platform based on Salesforce and Drupal.

Prior to joining IPA in 2016, Lissa worked in the corporate sector as senior marketing associate with American Structurepoint, a nationally ranked design firm. In this role, Lissa assisted architectural, urban planning, and engineering marketing and business development efforts for the following markets: federal, municipal, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, education, transportation, environmental, and commercial. Lissa also supported the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts by directing wellness initiatives for 400+ staff in nine offices, while actively participating in the company's volunteer service projects.

Lissa has served various communications and public relations roles for the Eskenazi Museum of Art and IU Mathers Museum of World Cultures. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University, where she graduated Cum Laude.

Consultants

Sonya Hallett

Program Advisor

(317) 506-8076

Sonya administers IPA's Foundation Legal Help Desk service.

Sonya has been in the philanthropic field for more than 25 years. Sonya has taught as adjunct faculty with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, created and lead Franklin College’s nonprofit certificate program, directed Indiana’s I-GIVE program, and served on the Johnson County Community Foundation’s board of directors for ten years before becoming its president/CEO.

Sonya has compiled, edited, and published an extensive guidebook for families to consider charitable estate planning. She is also a longtime board member of JCCF, co-founder of the Youth Philanthropy Initiative of Indiana, president of Bowlingtown Heritage Association and Delta Delta Delta Alumnae Association, and volunteer for several other local and state organizations.

Sonya is an alumna of Franklin College, Leadership Johnson County, and the University of Indianapolis. She resides in Greenwood (Center Grove), Indiana, with her daughter Meredith.

Phil Purcell, J.D.

Counsel, Foundation Legal Help Desk

Phil Purcell currently serves as Territory Director of Planned Giving for the Central Territory of The Salvation Army. In this role, he is the directional leader of thirty planned giving staff who close $80 million in planned gifts annually.

Phil is counsel for the national Foundation Legal Help Desk, as well as for Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, Philanthropy Southeast, and Philanthropy Ohio. He has served as independent counsel for over one hundred community foundations throughout the U.S. He served as Director of Gift Planning for the Central Indiana Community Foundation, consultant for Kansas Association of Community Foundations, consultant for the Florida Philanthropic Network, and a legal and peer reviewer for the Community Foundations National Standards Board, Council of Foundations.

Phil teaches courses on law and philanthropy, nonprofit organization law and planned giving as adjunct faculty for the Indiana University Maurer School of Law (Bloomington, IN) and Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and Fundraising School (Indianapolis, IN). He is a senior consultant for the Heaton Smith Group, a national legacy planning consulting firm. Phil serves as editor for Planned Giving Today, a national monthly publication, as well as a content editor for Giving USA.

Phil is an attorney and member of the Indiana and American Bar Association. He serves as Vice Chair of the Charitable Giving and Organizations Committee of the Real Property, Trust, and Estate section of the American Bar Association. He is president of the American Council on Gift Annuities board of directors, and formerly served on the boards of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (secretary), Indiana Charitable Gift Planners (president), AFP – Indiana (president), and was AFP-Indiana Fundraiser of the Year.

Phil received his B.A. degree from Wabash College (magna cum laude) and his J.D. and M.P.A. degrees (with honors) from Indiana University. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Alpha Alpha as well as a Truman Scholar.

Alisa Winters

Technical Assistance Advisor

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Alisa provides technical support to Indiana community foundations, with input and support from GIFT staff and Experts in Residence.

Alisa most recently served as the executive director of the Rush County Community Foundation (RCCF) and is a graduate of the Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute. She led RCCF through growth in staff, assets, and two successful GIFT initiatives, and created innovative partnerships and grant opportunities to position the foundation as a recognized leader in Rush County. Alisa is on the board of the Rush County Economic and Community Development Corporation and is an active member of the Rotary Club and Glenwood United Methodist Church. She attained her BS in sales management from Purdue University and a master’s degree in public health from Indiana University.

The Team