Meet the LifeSmart Leadership Team
We are proud to have a staff and board who dedicate themselves to our mission of fostering successful lives by empowering youth to make responsible choices and adopt healthy behaviors.
Staff
Tonja L. Eagan, M.P.A., CFRE
Chief Executive Officer
Tonja joined LifeSmart Youth in June 2014 after serving as CEO of The Leadership Institute – Women with a Purpose. Previously, she led Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana and Girls Inc. of Indianapolis. Tonja is experienced in fund raising, board development, operations, strategy, external relations, and program evaluation. A graduate of Indiana University, Tonja earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and has a master’s degree in Public Affairs, Nonprofit Management & Leadership. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). She is an active volunteer with organizations focused on youth, elderly and animals. Tonja has been honored as a top leader in the nonprofit sector locally and nationally.
Angela Bridge, CHES, CFRM
Director of Development
Angela became a LifeSmart Youth of Indiana staff member in 2011; however, she has been involved with the agency since 1998 through board membership, volunteerism and through contractual work. As the Director of Development, Angela oversees all aspects of securing resources to support SHA’s valuable mission and programs. She leads and manages grants, individual donor relations, corporate sponsors, and special events. Angela earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University in Health Science and is a Certified Community Health Education Specialist. She earned her Certificate in Fund Raising Management from The Fund Raising School at Indiana University.
Abbe Shapiro, MSW
Director of Programs and Evaluation
In 2011, Abbe earned her Master’s in Social Work, with a concentration in Organizational Leadership, from Indiana University. She gained national recognition for creating innovative programs that improved health outcomes for underserved communities in Indianapolis, and local recognition for strengthening community partnerships. Prior to joining LifeSmart Youth, Abbe worked for the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors to create an online tool kit that assists agencies in creating HIV Linkage to Care Programs. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Health Advocacy Coalition and Circle City Derby Girls.
Michelle Anderson, MBA
Director of Operations
Michelle has more than twenty years of experience in operational leadership roles with an emphasis in the nonprofit and government sectors. Recently, she worked as Deputy Director of the Indiana Arts Commission and before that, she was COO of Girls Inc. of Indianapolis. Her experience encompasses financial management, operational administration, community relations, fund development, human resources, and program design and evaluation. Michelle earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communications from Indiana University. She also works part-time as a bookkeeper and operations consultant with other small businesses and nonprofits.
Maria Cheeseman
Manager, Scheduling and Client Relations
Maria graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Public Affairs Management, a concentration in Nonprofit Management, and a French minor. She has applied her diverse skill set to non-profit work, youth health and education, and the staffing industry. Prior to joining LifeSmart Youth in July 2017, Maria’s passion for youth led her to serve with AmeriCorps Public Allies of Indianapolis at the Indiana Youth Group as a Case Manager and Youth Resource Coordinator. She also serves as a member of the Indianapolis Symphonic Orchestra Association.
Hannah Saeger Karnei, BS
Assistant, Marketing and Development
Hannah joined LifeSmart Youth in 2017 as Marketing and Development Assistant. She earned a B.S. in Human Development from Virginia Tech and is currently earning a Masters in Philanthropic Studies from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Hannah assists with development and marketing needs, utilizing her experience in digital marketing and passion for youth and the nonprofit sector.
Board of Directors
President
Alex N. Fritz, CPA/ABV, ASA, CVA
Director, Valuation and Healthcare Strategy Group/Valuation and Forensic Services, Blue & Co., LLC
Immediate Past President
Jeffrey M. Wilson, CPA, CMA, CFM
Director Finance, Audit Services Eli Lilly and Company
1st Vice President
Tami A. Earnhart, JD
Partner, Ice Miller LLP
2nd Vice President
LeRoy Lewis, III, MBA
Community Relations and Health Promotions Liaison, Eskenazi Health
Treasurer
Elliott Pinkie, JD
Attorney, Cline Law Group, LLC
Secretary
Jessica Moore, MA
Immigrant Program Specialist, The Indianapolis Public Library
Board Members
Matt Bova, CPA
Senior Accountant, DEFENDERS, Inc.
Ethan Brown, MBA
Vice President, Brand Strategy & Development, Pacers Sports & Entertainment
Bridget Dotson, BS, BA
Intern, U.S. House of Representatives – Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)
Rebecca Ford, MBA, MS
Consultant Engineer, Commissioning and Qualification Lead – Global Facilities Delivery, Eli Lilly and Company
Mackenzie Hartman, BS
Senior Analyst, Transmission Settlements, MISO Energy
Una Hartzell-Baird, MPA
Director of Translation, LUNA Language Services
Mary Jischke Thomas, MBA
Marketing Director, Eli Lilly and Company
Tanya Malone, RN
Forensic Pediatric Nurse, IU Riley Hospital for Children’s Hope Center
Lun Pieper, JD
Staff Attorney, Indiana Office of Court Services, Indiana Supreme Court
Ravi Shah, MBA, CPA
Director, State of Indiana
Abbey Shultz
Regional Manager, J.C. Hart Company, Inc.
Denis E. Ward, PhD
Retired, former School Superintendent, Educational Consultant