Two New Staff Members Join the Community Foundation of Pulaski County
The Community Foundation of Pulaski County, Inc. (CFoPC) announces the hiring of two new staff members. Stacia Conrad joins the CFoPC as Coalition Coordinator for the Pulaski County Early Learning Network—a CFoPC program—and Heidi Wright joins the foundation as its Director of Programs.
A graduate of Western Governors University Indiana (WGU), Conrad is a licensed Elementary Education professional with a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) from Ivy Tech. Wright is a graduate of the University of Louisville with a background in community foundation work, donor relations, and family services. Prior to joining CFoPC, Wright served the Northern Indiana Community Foundation as its Director of Development for Miami County.
“Both Stacia and Heidi bring a great deal of experience into their new roles,” said Leeann Wright, CFoPC Executive Director. “One of our pressing goals in Pulaski County is to add more options for high quality, affordable childcare. Our current local providers do a great job of filling the need, but—for the long-term health of our growing families and workforce—we need to add additional high-quality, affordable seats. As Coalition Coordinator for our Early Learning Network, Stacia’s background in education is crucial in continuing our good momentum toward increased early learning opportunities. Heidi’s experience in building and strengthening relationships and working with donors will be of great benefit to our community partners, our local service providers, and our nonprofits. We are glad to welcome Stacia and Heidi, and we look forward to continued future growth for the county.”
In 2024, the Quality Childcare Coalition of Pulaski County, in partnership with local businesses and the CFoPC, helped the county earn a $750,000 grant through the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) of Indiana. Money from the grant provides business expansion support to licensed in-home providers and aims to increase the number of seats available. The grant also supports start-up and licensing costs for those interested in becoming licensed in-home providers, as well as the establishment of childcare centers or new programs in Francesville and Winamac.
“I am excited to learn more about what the residents of Pulaski County want for the community and how the CFoPC can empower the achievement of those goals,” said Heidi Wright. “My role as Director of Programs is multifaceted, just as are the needs and services of Pulaski County. The important work of the CFoPC is to foster hope and change through philanthropy. Everything we accomplish is achieved through collaborative relationships, and I hope to nurture and build upon the strong relationships that started long before my work here.”
In January, the CFoPC announced the addition of two members to its 2025 Board of Directors. Former board member Shane Pilarski, President and CEO of Alliance Bank in Francesville, now serves on the foundation’s Resource Development Committee, and first-time board member Christi Beavers—a marketing strategist for GE Healthcare—serves on the CFoPC Governance Committee.
“We have an incredibly hard-working and dedicated Board of Directors that is fully invested in Pulaski County’s growth,” said Leeann Wright. “Each of our board members understands our mission and our vision and the addition of Stacia and Heidi to our staff brings new enthusiasm and fresh perspective with which we hope to increase our positive impact on the entire Pulaski County community.”
Officers for the 2025 CFoPC Board of Directors are unchanged from 2024; Kaye Beall serves as Board President, Jill Kasten as Vice-President, Kurt Dickey as Treasurer, and past president Vicki Overmyer serves as Board Secretary in 2025. Joining Pilarski and Beavers on the 2025 Community Foundation Board of Directors are Pam Burger, Brandy Goble, Karen Jones, Bill Peppers, John Sass, Joey Schlatter, Christian Smith, Megan Wegner, and Peter Zahrt.
“This is a unique opportunity for me,” said Conrad. “I understand my new role to be crucial, as many families struggle to find affordable, quality childcare. I have been involved in early childhood education for much of my life, and I am excited about helping families in Pulaski County access the childcare they need. I look forward to doing all I can to help the community achieve its educational and childcare needs—for the present and into the future.”