Foundation Leadership

Dr. Sean Sharma has been a member of the 4‑H Foundation Board since 2018. He is a life-long 4‑Her with 10 years as a member of the Warren County 4‑H program. Dr. Sharma is an Internist and Pediatrician by training and currently practices medicine as the Medical Director at the Subaru Health & Wellness Center, serves as Health Officer for the Fountain & Warren County Health Department, and has part-time responsibilities in his hometown hospital in Williamsport, Indiana. Dr. Sharma is eager to contribute his passion for 4‑H and healthy living to the Indiana 4‑H Foundation.

Jordan Downham is excited to be part of the Indiana 4‑H Foundation to promote the founding principles of 4‑H, and to ensure access to 4‑H educational resources for underserved and underrepresented communities. Jordan attended the University of Notre Dame with a degree in American Studies with minors in Journalism and Catholic Social Tradition. Jordan eventually chose to redirect her career path and attended the Mauer School of Law at Indiana University. Currently, she works as an Associate Attorney practicing trademark law at Quarles & Brady LLP. Specifically, Jordan is interested in working toward filling an endowment in each of the 92 Indiana counties.

Sharon Hutchinson is a second-generation 10-year 4‑H member with more than 40 years of volunteer service to the Warren County 4‑H program. She received her degree in Landscape Architecture from Purdue University. Currently, Sharon serves as Grant Facilitator for the Tippecanoe County Commissioners and enjoys the challenge of finding local projects needing state and federal funding

She is excited to contribute her experience to the Indiana 4‑H Foundation.

Emily Williams is excited to utilize her 4‑H background and her technology expertise to contribute to the success of the Indiana 4‑H Foundation. Growing up in Sullivan County’s 4‑H program, she fostered a passion for 4‑H and community involvement. Emily graduated from Valparaiso University with a degree in Public Relations, Professional Writing, and Political Communication. Her background includes time as a technical recruiter, director of a coding bootcamp, and program manager for a women in tech nonprofit. Currently, she consults with technology startups as they build their operations, hiring, and cultural infrastructures. Her experience is impactful in assisting the Indiana 4‑H Foundation with funding for new technology opportunities for youth.

Christy Steinman Denault is Past President of the Indiana 4‑H Foundation. She is the founder and principal at Springmill Communications. A communications strategist with 20+ years of experience that spans higher education, private industry, politics, government, nonprofits, and startups, she brings strong analytical and problem-solving skills to the table, as well as expertise in media relations, crisis communications, government advocacy, and targeted messaging. Christy has led corporate communications efforts and served as Director of Communications and spokesperson for both a Lt. Governor and a Governor. She specializes in helping those in technical and scientific fields explain the impact of their work.

As a Fulbright scholar, Christy earned her master’s degree with highest honors in international conflict analysis from the University of Kent at Canterbury, England. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. 

Julie Byers feels that the friendships that she gained through her ten years as a 4‑H member, and her now 40 years as a volunteer, are priceless. Along with her husband, David, the Byerses operate a dairy lease program in their county. Each year, twenty-five to thirty 4‑H youth lease a dairy animal from their farm with the expectation of exhibiting that animal at the Tippecanoe County Fair. Using her Head, Heart, Hands and Health Julie is helping to shape the future here in Tippecanoe County. She states, “As a member of the 4‑H Foundation Board of Directors, I hope to encourage my community to fiscally support the Indiana 4‑H program.”

As a Boone County 4‑H leader for more than 15 years, Robyn Heine understands the impact that Indiana 4‑H has on the leadership development of Hoosier youth. Robyn was a 10-year 4‑H’er from South Dakota where she grew up. In the early 1990s, she was an International 4‑H Youth Exchange (IFYE) representative in Australia and New Zealand where she lived and worked with agricultural host families and studied the agricultural industry. Today, Robyn volunteers as a Boone County 4‑H Project Leader for the Verbal Communications project and is a past Mini-4‑H Leader and Boone County 4‑H Fair Board Member. Currently, she is the Communications Director for the Transformation Office at Corteva Agriscience. Robyn is eager to contribute to the success of the Indiana 4‑H Foundation.

Paulette LeCount-Dowden is a 10-year 4‑H member in Noble County and by receiving National recognition at 4‑H Club Congress, in both Leadership and Clothing and Textiles, these accomplishments were the result of the benefits and life skills that 4‑H provided for her development. She graduated with degrees in Retail Management, Education, and Communication from Purdue University. This led to a successful 40-year career in Retail Management. She has generously sponsored a scholarship fund for a deserving 4‑H person with Clothing and Textiles Achievement, on an annual basis. Through this example, she hopes to help the 4‑H Foundation to achieve more scholarship donations to provide those who are now reaping the rewards of the merits of what 4‑H has provided in their development.

Gloria Jimenez is committed to connecting communities to the Indiana 4‑H program. Originally from Peru, she moved to the United States in 2002 and lived in Los Angeles for 10 years where she worked as the Director of Marketing at LA Center. Gloria moved to Indianapolis in 2013 and worked at the City of Indianapolis where she planned several events such as the Mayors Celebration of Diversity Awards, bike rides, etc. In May 2018, Gloria joined the Indiana Latino Expo as the Executive Director. Gloria is the founder of Axis Leadership program in partnership with the City of Indianapolis. She is also a multicultural contributor and has a small segment on Community Link at WISH-TV and also hosts the Indiana Latino Expo show on Telemundo Indy Channel 19.

Charmayne Saylors understands the impact that 4‑H has on any youth participant. Currently, she co-owns a real estate company. She is an activity participant in volunteering and giving back in her community. Charmayne states, “It has been at times emotional as an adult to recite the 4‑H creed, and to learn how 4‑H today has evolved in ways that are still very relative to youth development. I’m proud to serve on the board, share the story of how 4‑H impacts lives, and support the work of the Indiana 4‑H Foundation.”

Lori Tennell is a strong believer in the 4‑H mission to equip Indiana youth with life skills and leadership. Lori graduated from Purdue University with a degree Agricultural Economics in 1983. Lori has held a variety of positions in the Farm Credit System serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee where she’s worked for over 36 years. Currently, she is the Vice President Retail Operations covering the State of Indiana. She’s been active in the Shelby County 4‑H program as a former 4‑H participant and serving on the Shelby County 4‑H Advisory Board. Lori understands the exposure that 4‑Hers have to leading meetings, giving demonstrations to learn public speaking and the discipline it takes to complete record books and projects.

Dr. Ron Thieme understands the value of the Indiana 4‑H experience. Dr. Thieme has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Experience Officer, and Chief Information and Knowledge Officer for a large healthcare delivery organization.  Dr. Thieme has served as a business and technology consultant, advising firms in the life sciences, financial, and logistics sectors. His focus has been to ensure that people, strategy, and technology are aligned to create verifiable business results. He has worked with numerous executive teams to develop strategy, transform organizations, and create effective working relationships. Dr. Thieme co-founded, scaled, and ultimately sold a successful business and technology consulting company. He currently owns a farm-to-consumer business, providing healthful food while healing the land for future generations.

Nancy Towner is committed to seeing the Indiana 4‑H program achieve and prosper. She is a 10-year 4‑H alumnus and a 38-year volunteer in Vermillion County’s 4‑H program. Nancy is a tax advisor, enrolled agent and a small business owner. Throughout her experiences in 4‑H, Nancy learned how to lead committees and expand her perspective. Her commitment to ensuring that communities become better starts with her passion for character development. She is eager to utilize her 4‑H experience to ensure the Indiana 4‑H Foundation can continue to impact Hoosier youth.

Growing up in Seymour, Indiana, Heather VonDieligen was a 10-year member of the Jackson County 4‑H program. She graduated from Concordia University Ann Arbor with a degree in Elementary Education, a Language Arts major, and my Lutheran Teaching Diploma. In 2015, she obtained a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Concordia University Irvine. Currently, Heather is a 4‑H Extension Educator in Jackson County where she recruits, trains, and retains 4‑H volunteers to help carry out educational programming with youth. She enjoys working with 4‑H members, volunteers, and families to move our program forward.

Bethany Lengacher is proud to be a student representative on the Indiana 4‑H Foundation Board of Directors; she values the education she received from her ten years in Indiana 4‑H and is committed to ensuring that the program continues to provide invaluable lessons and memories for generations of students like her. Bethany is a student in the Purdue University School of Industrial Engineering. She hopes one day to use her engineering degree and the skills she learned in 4‑H to start her own event strategy consulting business.

Annie Smith is eager to help youth identify their gifts and talents to
encourage active participation in their respective communities. Annie attended Butler University where she studied voice and piano. In July 2017, Annie started her consulting business where she offers individuals and groups insights into cultural diversity that enables participants to move forward with shared goals and understanding. She is currently a member of the Marion County 4‑H Advisory Council and past Vice-President of Purdue Extension Marion County Board. Annie is also the Far Eastside Ambassador with the Central Indiana Community Foundation and a Lead Facilitator with Kiwanis International. Her experience within the nonprofit sector will ensure the Indiana 4‑H Foundation continues to cultivate a welcoming environment for all youth participants.

Roger Sherer grew up on a Noble County farm in northeast Indiana, where he was a 10-year 4‑H member. In 1973, he attended National 4‑H Congress and was selected as one of the scholarship winners in Safety, sponsored by General Motors. Upon graduating from Purdue University in 1978 with a degree in Ag Education and Animal Science, Roger was selected to be a delegate to Poland in the International Four‑H Youth Exchange (IFYE) program. The inspiration to become an IFYE came from a talk at his local 4‑H Club by an Indiana IFYE that had traveled to Venezuela. He recently retired after serving 40 years as a 4‑H Youth Development Educator in Wells County with the Purdue Extension Service. Roger will provide valuable experience and expertise to ensure the Indiana 4‑H Foundation continues to fund programs for Indiana youth.

Eric Wolfe is thrilled to help Indiana 4‑H provide numerous opportunities to youth across the state. Eric grew up in Brazil, IN (Clay County), graduated from DePauw University with a B.A. in Communication, and currently resides in Greencastle, IN (Putnam County). Eric Wolfe is the Owner and Managing
Broker of Prime Real Estate Group and a top real estate professional in his market getting results for his clients. Formerly, Eric was the Assistant Director of Student Life at DePauw University in Greencastle, IN, the Community Development Director at the Putnam County Community Foundation in Greencastle, IN, and the Executive Director of the National 4‑H Youth Directions Council in Chevy Chase, MD. His experience will assist the Indiana 4‑H Foundation to cultivate lasting legacies for donors.

Valerie Messmore was a 10-year 4‑H member in Kosciusko County who shared her passion for 4‑H through the service and leadership engagements she pursued. Currently, she is a student at Purdue University studying Finance with a minor in Human Resource Management. 4‑H was not entirely new to her when she joined, as her family has participated in Kosciusko County 4‑H for over 60 years. Upon graduation, Valerie plans to use her finance degree to become a Financial Advisor and assist families and professionals with achieving their financial goals in various ways. She is eager to contribute her 4‑H experience to the Indiana 4‑H Foundation.

Luke Schirmer is a third generation and proud 10-year 4‑H member. Luke attributes his active participation in 4‑H to developing his leadership, public speaking, networking, citizenship, and organization skills. As the 2020 Indiana Premier Civic Engagement award winner, Luke’s passion for giving back to others coincides with the mission of the Indiana 4‑H Foundation Board. He hopes that the programs that they develop will provide the inspiration and foundation for 4‑H youth to give back to their communities but also be the platform for gaining valuable life skills that they will utilize the rest of their lives. Currently attending Vincennes University, Luke is studying Precision Machining and Computer Numerical Control Technology and plans on continuing his education in Manufacturing Engineering and Business. His future aspirations are to own a manufacturing company that specializes in making medical devices. He looks forward to continuing to grow his experiences as a member of the Indiana 4‑H Foundation Board.

Aaron Sandel is a current sophomore studying at DePauw University, double majoring in Saxophone and Communications. As a 10-year member of Tippecanoe County 4‑H, Aaron has always been highly involved in the program. Active in Communications, Photography, and Cats, as well as an prominent member of his Junior Leaders club (6 years), Aaron has had his fair share of leadership experience, attributing much of his growth as a leader, communicator, and student to the healthy skills developed through 4‑H. His favorite experience in 4‑H was serving on the 2019 State Junior Leader Conference council, after attending the conference the two prior years. Currently, he uses his leadership skills as a First-Year Mentor at DePauw, where he acts as a guide and helpful resource to incoming first years who are unsure how to navigate their first semester of college. Aaron is excited to leverage his previous 4‑H experience as a participant to better serve the Indiana 4‑H Foundation.