National Community Foundation Boot Camp

Rosemary has spent her career in the philanthropic sector. In 2020, she received the Sagamore of the Wabash in recognition of 40 years of philanthropic leadership to the state of Indiana. As an IPA consultant, Rosemary facilitates the National Community Foundation Boot Camp programs.

Before her retirement in 2020, Rosemary served as IPA’s vice president and director of their Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow technical assistance program. During this tenure, she was instrumental in building the operational, fundraising, and executive leadership capacities of Indiana’s 94 community foundations.
Rosemary has also held a variety of leadership positions at the Indianapolis Foundation and Central Indiana Community Foundation, including vice president for partnerships and community initiatives (2009-2010), chief operating officer (1999-2009), and vice president for programs/program director (1996-1999). From 1988 until 1993, she served as Director of Programming at Community Centers of Indianapolis. Before that, for eight years, she was director of evaluation and planning associate at United Way of Central Indiana.

Rosemary has held several important volunteer leadership positions, including serving as board chair for Indiana Humanities and board member for the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival, Indianapolis Parks Foundation, TechPoint Foundation, and the Lacy Leadership Association. 

Eric Hessel started working with the Community Foundation in 2003 as a youth grantmaker and has since worked in both the direct service and funding areas of nonprofits. Prior to joining HCCF full time, Eric worked in youth programming and with the US Census Bureau, in addition to building relationships in the local community that assist in strategic and effective grantmaking decisions. Eric grew up in Pittsboro and currently lives in Carmel, IN with his two dogs.

Terri has an extensive background in community foundation leadership and management. As the associate director of GIFT at IPA (2013-2020), she contributed to the organization's development and success. Her prior role as executive director of the Northern Indiana Community Foundation (NICF) in Rochester, Indiana, showcased her strategic leadership over a ten-year tenure, following her service as a board member. Additionally, Terri co-owned and managed a family business.

Her commitment to community service is evident through her board memberships, including the Fulton Economic Development Corp. and Fulton County Leadership Academy. Terri is also an active member of Grace United Methodist Church.

Academically, Terri holds degrees in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and Accounting from International Business College.

Meagan Niese is the Development Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County. She has been in nonprofit fundraising leadership for more than 15 years and is a Certified Fundraising Executive. Meagan co-facilitates the IPA Peer Development Group as well as a local development professional group. She also serves on the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance's Public Policy Committee. Prior to joining the Community Foundation she was the Development Director for the Monroe County Habitat for Humanity affiliate, a nationally recognized Affiliate of Distinction since 2010, and was responsible for fundraising, marketing, and communications. She and her husband Joel have called Bloomington home for the last 20 years, where they live with their three young children.