Autistic employees bring unique strengths—are you creating a workplace where they can thrive?”

This interactive panel will explore the experiences of individuals on the autism spectrum, best practices for workplace accommodations, and strategies for self-advocacy. We’ll discuss how organizations can foster inclusive cultures, streamline accommodations, and support neurodiverse employees in building meaningful careers. Attendees will gain practical insights, have the opportunity to engage in a dynamic Q&A session, and learn about community resources that support workplace inclusion and accessibility. Lunch will be provided.

Panelists:

• Dr. Courtney Jarrett
  Director of Disability Services
  Ball State University
• Melanie Wright
  Program Chair for Human Services
  Ivy Tech – Muncie
• Brad Robertson
  Community Advocate
• Grayson Joslin
  Ball State University Student
  Freelance Journalist/Writer
• Rhonda Jo Wood
  Internship Development Specialist
  Easter Seals Crossroads

This is a FREE Community Program and we will be providing lunch. Please register at least 24 hours ahead of time. 

Discover the hidden power that shapes your success. This dynamic workshop unpacks the concept of Spheres of Influence. Learn how to recognize your own sphere, expand it strategically, and harness its power to advance your career, business, and personal goals. History, practical tips, and interactive exercises will reveal the invisible dynamics guiding your professional and personal world.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the key people, networks, and systems that shape your opportunities.
2. Uncover your current sphere of influence through interactive exercises.
3. Apply practical strategies to strengthen your influence whether you are an introvert or extrovert.

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $50 non-member. $30 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

Jennifer Merrell. Starting as a dance performance major, Jennifer graduated from Butler University with a degree in Corporate Communications, served as social chairman of her sorority, won an alcohol-awareness award, and spent a season as a cheerleader (you followed that, right?). Jennifer’s life and career are intertwined in a series of directional changes that she best describes as ”a trail I’ve used a machete to hack through.” Over the span of her 25+ year career, Jennifer has served in multiple industries including entertainment, sports & fitness, tech, real estate, and economic development. She has climbed ladders and fallen off cliffs only to discover that she is driven to solve problems while elevating the people and organizations around her. She also figured out that curiosity is the start of all great adventures. Jennifer is the retired Vice President of TechPoint where she spent her time working to grow Indiana’s tech ecosystem, with a special focus on bridging the gap between industry and academia. Today, Jennifer continues her bridge-building work between higher ed and the workforce as a consultant, keynote speaker & emcee, and professional dot connector.

Many people struggle to be concise and organized in their verbal and written communication. Different personality styles often have different motivations or perceived needs for being wordy or confusing, but most people in professional environments wrestle with this at some point in their career. This workshop covers why a focus in this area is important and why many of us struggle. Discussion includes practical tactics that individuals can try out and the possible impact of those tactics.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the importance of brevity in effective communication and the benefits of using concise communication tactics
2. Gain awareness of common risks of overly wordy or convoluted communication
3. Leave with specific techniques to audit and improve conciseness and tactics you can iterate for developmental growth

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $50 non-member. $30 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

Matt Dickerson has enjoyed a 20-year career in sales and management that serves as the foundation of his skills for coaching and mentoring. He has worked in multiple industries with the majority of his experience in Pharmaceutical/Vaccines. During his time with a global pharmaceutical company, Matt was instrumental in developing and executing new tools for people development. He coached coaches in how to be more effective people developers and managers. He also created curriculum that supported skill growth in coaching for performance. Matt has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Purdue University and a Master’s in Business Administration from University of Indianapolis. He is recognized as a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation (ICF). He is the former Board President for Family Promise of Greater Indy and the Immediate Past President of the Indiana Chapter of ICF.

All Aboard: Board Leadership in Motion is a three-hour workshop ideal for individuals who have a desire to serve on a not-for-profit board but want to learn more about what serving as a board member entails, and how to find the potential board opportunity that suits their interests and skill sets.

Participant Takeaways

• An understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a not-for-profit board member
• How to determine board opportunities that match interests, skills, & desired level of commitment
• Guidance on how to be an effective board member
• Insight on how to find potential board member opportunities
• Descriptions of board member opportunities currently available in the area

Who Should Attend?

All Aboard is ideal for individuals who have a desire to serve on a not-for-profit board but want to learn more about what serving as a board member entails and how to find the potential board opportunity that suits their interests and skill sets.

Tuition:

Thanks to our generous sponsors, All Aboard is available for free.

In-Person 3 Hour Session

Learning Objectives

1. 1. Manage Speaking Anxiety and Build Confidence – Develop strategies to overcome nervousness and speak with ease in any setting.
   2. Enhance Communication Through Body Language and Vocal Delivery – Master posture, gestures, tone, and pacing to engage and connect with your audience effectively.
   3. Craft Compelling Messages with Strong Openings and Closings – Learn to structure presentations and conversations for maximum impact.
   4. Develop a Powerful and Memorable Elevator Pitch – Create a clear and engaging introduction that leaves a lasting impression in networking settings.

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $250 non-member. $200 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our FacilitatorS

Michele Owen, known by some as “The Muncie Woman,” is a professor of Psychology at Ivy Tech Community College. She has always been passionate about communication, and has given a TED talk, taught public speaking at Ball State, and served as the Communications Director for the City of Muncie. Michele believes that everyone has the capacity to become a charismatic speaker in their personal and professional lives, if given the tools to understand and overcome their anxiety.

Peggy Cenova is a seasoned professional who was the Regional Director for the East Central Indiana SBDC, where she presented over 190 training events throughout the region. She is the former owner of the specialty advertising catalog company – Straight Status, which was listed in Inc. Magazine’s 500 fastest-growing businesses. She is a former board member of the National Speakers Association of Indiana and Shafer Leadership Academy. Peggy’s speaking philosophy can be summed up in three words: Prepare, Perfect, Present.

“Facilitation is the act of engaging participants in creating, discovering, and applying learning insights.” (ATD)

Facilitation is more than leading a discussion—it’s about creating an environment where participants feel engaged, heard, and motivated to explore new ideas. In this interactive session, participants will learn the fundamentals of inclusive facilitation, including how to establish a welcoming space, encourage participation, manage group dynamics and create interactive learning activities. Together we will build a facilitation toolkit, discover facilitation tools, and work towards building confidence in the art of facilitation. This part 1 of our Facilitation Skills Series. Part 2 will be offered in quarter three about virtual facilitation skills.                                                           NOTE- this workshop will last 2 hours instead of 90 mins and lunch will be served. 

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the role of a facilitator in creating engaging & inclusive learning environments.
2. Learn techniques to foster participation, curiosity, and discussion- utilizing active listening, presence, and adaptability skills.
3. Understand how to navigate group dynamics through discussion & practice in small groups.
4. Learn about facilitation opportunities with Shafer Leadership!

About Our Facilitator

Eilis (A-lish) Wasserman is the Program Director at Shafer Leadership Academy focused on overseeing impactful leadership development programming and creating innovative opportunities for Shafer members.  She has a background as a career coach and facilitator, dedicated to cultivating confidence and inspiring self-discovery. She is an introvert and early career professional advocate, empowering introverts to hone their unique strengths and develop their own career stories.  Eilis believes the most valuable skill that you can learn, and practice is the art of connecting- it’s all about telling our story. Eilis is a freelance coach on The Muse and has worked as a career coach with Ball State University and the University of Michigan. Eilis looks forward to working with you to present your best self wherever you may be in your career journey.

Read a book. Lead with inspiration.

SLA in partnership with Muncie Public Library is offering a unique quarterly gathering, highlighting important take-aways from inspirational leadership books. At each event, facilitators will share key leadership development lessons from leadership-focused books. This is not a book club, rather a guided discussion around the key takeaways from each book.

Prior reading of the book is not required but we encourage participants to share about what they learned and check-out one of the books from Muncie Public Library. All participants attending will be entered in a raffle to win a digital copy of one of the books discussed.

All sessions are FREE and open to the public. Registration is required.

LEARN MORE »

Led by: Kate Elliott 

Is your resume making the right impression? Do you have a customized cover letter?

Learn the basics of what is most important to develop a professional, customized, and polished resume AND cover letter that will appeal to any employer. Your resume shows the breadth of your experiences, and your cover letter shows the depth; learn how to stand out with both of these marketing documents.

Eastern Indiana Works provides these sessions, in partnership with Shafer Leadership Academy, as a free service to our clients.

Workshops are designed to enhance your marketability and improve your skill-set. 
Please register within 24 hours of workshop time. 

Led by: Michele Owen

Your first impression over email can be lasting.

Understand the basics of email etiquette and learn helpful to tips to manage the clutter in your email account so you have more time and less missed messages.

This session is in-person at the Recovery Cafe. 

Eastern Indiana Works provides these sessions, in partnership with Shafer Leadership Academy, as a free service to our clients. Workshops are designed to enhance your marketability and improve your skill-set. 
Please register within 24 hours of workshop time.

In today’s digital landscape, social media is a powerful tool for nonprofits and small businesses to engage with their communities, share their mission, and build their brand. However, without clear policies, organizations can face challenges in managing their online presence, maintaining professionalism, and handling difficult interactions.

This session will provide a comprehensive look at social media policies from two key perspectives:

1. Internal Policies – Guidelines for staff, board members, and volunteers on appropriate social media use, personal accounts, and representing the organization online.
2. Public Engagement Policies – Best practices for managing an organization’s social media pages, including when to engage with or remove comments, blocking considerations, and maintaining a professional, inclusive online presence.

Participants will leave with practical strategies and frameworks to implement effective social media policies that align with their mission, mitigate risk, and foster positive engagement.

 Cost: $25

Facilitators:

Suzanne Clem has worked in nonprofit marketing and communications for more than 20 years. Her experience includes roles in higher education and healthcare, most recently serving as Vice President of Community Engagement at Open Door Health Services.  She received a bachelor’s degree in advertising and master’s degree in social psychology, both from Ball State University, and holds Online Marketing Certified Associate certification through OMCP.

In public relations, social media, and other marketing efforts, Suzanne’s focus is clear communication that shapes feelings, beliefs, and actions. She loves helping marketing teams and nonprofit leaders understand their audiences — both internal and external — as a foundation for how data is interpreted and communications decisions are made.

Originally from northeast Indiana, Suzanne has called Muncie home since the early 2000s. She has volunteered with neighborhood engagement efforts in the Thomas Park Avondale and Industry neighborhoods, with local environmental efforts, and as a writer for The Facing Project. She enjoys hiking, traveling, gardening, and finding other reasons to be outside.

Kourtney McCauliff is the Vice President of Consulting Services at Purple Ink. She loves to cultivate cohesive teams and develop strong leaders to lead them.  

Kourtney is an experienced Human Resources Professional, with a demonstrated history of working in HR for over 15 years in a variety of different industries – from hospitality to health care that also includes the non-profit sector. She has a focus in recruiting, retention, people development, workforce readiness, and employee engagement. Throughout her HR career, Kourtney has assisted clients with several training topics. She loves to help clients with her expertise in general HR best practices, such as HR assessments and compensation. 

Kourtney is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a degree in Sociology and Communications. She is a SHRM-CP and has a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion for HR from eCornell. Kourtney is also DiSC Certified and a Mental Health First Aid instructor. She has volunteered with the HR Indiana SHRM State Council, East Central Indiana HR Association, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, Non-Profit Support Network, and Kenmore Neighborhood Association in Muncie. 

 
When she isn’t working, Kourtney likes to enjoy the many state parks and trails with her husband and dog, and spend time with family. She is always interested in connecting with new individuals, so don’t hesitate to find her on LinkedIn or send her an email! 

Executive Director and Board President learning session to strengthen relationships, understand roles and responsibilities, and map out their year.

Together the Executive Director and Board President serve as the key leaders in a nonprofit organization corporation. As such, it is critical that they work in tandem to best serve their students, staff, and families.

The is a unique opportunity for nonprofit leadership to intentionally discuss, and delineate roles and responsibilities. Participants will leave the Summit with a clear plan of shared leadership for core functions along with a strategy for communicating that plan to the rest of the board.

Participants will:

• Discuss staff personnel
• Plan for the supervision of and annual review of the Executive Director / CEO
• Outline responsibilities for program development
• Discuss finance and budget
• Map out board meeting responsibilities
• Determine responsibilities for board building
• Examine the Executive Director and Board President relationship
• Determine an accountability and communication plan for the board

Cost: $50

Facilitators

Mitch Isaacs
Executive Director for Shafer Leadership Academy

Mitch Isaacs was named Shafer Leadership Academy’s Executive Director in May 2015. In this role, he works closely with the organization’s board of directors to fulfill the mission of the organization. He is responsible for creating vision, connecting with stakeholders, administering program offerings and leading the organization in meaningful ways.

Mitch has over 20 years of leadership development experience. He graduated from Ball State University in 2002 with a double major in History and Political Science and a minor in Counseling Psychology. Mitch completed his master’s degree in student Affairs and Higher Education at Indiana State University. Mitch returned to Ball State in 2005 and spent the next 10 years as a working professional in Higher Education, including five years as the Director of the Excellence in Leadership program, and Coordinator of the Leadership Studies Minor.

Mitch is an active member of the Muncie, Indiana community with broad nonprofit experience.  He  has served as the president of the board of directors Country Village / Creekwood Neighborhood Association, Muncie Action Plan, and Indiana Leadership Association. He has also served on the boards for Motivate Our Minds, Muncie Rotary and the Muncie Civic Center Authority. Mitch is passionate about youth development, with previous roles as Project Leadership Mentor, a Big Brother with Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Delaware County, and a member of the Burris Laboratory School Advisory Council.

Mitch has provided nonprofit consulting to organizations in Delaware County, Indiana, and beyond!

Jenna Ashby
Relationship and Resource Director for Nonprofit Support Network

Jena Ashby is Nonprofit Support Network’s Relationship and Resource Director. She has extensive nonprofit work and volunteer experience, and a wealth of experience convening diverse groups to build authentic, collaborative relationships.  She is passionate about the Muncie/Delaware County community and connecting people and organizations in meaningful, mutually beneficial ways.

 Jena is a lifelong Muncie resident who earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Ball State University in 2001 and continues to serve on the Department’s Advisory Council. She has also served on the staff of the following nonprofits: A Better Way, Habitat for Humanity, 8twelve Coalition, and Scholar House. Her Board involvement has included Muncie YMCA, Second Harvest Food Bank, Teamwork for Quality Living, and Step Ahead Preschool.

Jena and her husband have two young adult sons and enjoy outdoor activities, including cycling, hiking, and kayaking. They are active in leadership roles within their church.  She brings her skills in organizational management, public speaking, program development, connection/relationship building, and strategic planning to the many roles she is actively engaged in.