Beth Neu
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She concluded her career at Ball State University with the Indiana Communities Institute, assisting many small communities across the State of Indiana with community development projects, before retiring in 2022.
A native of Fort Wayne, Neu served a term as President of the Indiana Economic Development Association Board of Directors and spent time testifying before the Indiana Legislature on various economic development bills and policies presented to the General Assembly.
A graduate of Indiana University and the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute, Neu served on the Board of Directors of the American Economic Development Council for many years and also taught at the Economic Development Institute for over ten years. In addition, she has served on several local boards of directors including the Fort Wayne Sister Cities Committee.
In retirement Neu volunteers her time with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Jail Ministry and is a docent at the Allen County Courthouse. Her love of travel has taken her to all 50 States and several foreign countries. She is married and has two adult children and three beautiful granddaughters.
Rev. Nikki Shaw
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Before a second career calling to the ministry, she was a professional writer and editor. As a pastor, she is interested in the meaning and value of sacred story in the lives of people of faith, and in walking alongside her congregation as they articulate their theological understanding and Christological understanding so that they can become ideal neighbors who are concerned with the health and wellbeing of all people.
Todd Zeiger
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His experience ranges from museum and non-profit management to building restoration, relocation and real estate development involving commercial, residential, and public buildings.
Todd has been with Indiana Landmarks for nearly 30 years serving as the director of the Northern Regional Office since 1998. providing a wide range of consultation, project development and advocacy assistance to grass roots organizations, historic preservation commissions, Main Street communities and private building owners.
As an adjunct Professor of the Practice at the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture’s Historic Preservation concentration and master’s programs, he teaches research, history, theory, and practice.
He resides with his family, and menagerie of animals, as the fifth generation at the family farmstead on the south side of South Bend. One of his first projects involved relocating the historic parsonage of his church when the board decided to demolish it.
Kristin Thomas
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As part of the MS4 Program, municipalities hold a permit to discharge storm water into local waterways. As the stormwater coordinator, Kris is responsible for ensuring the city remains in compliance with the MS4 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, or NPDES, permit. This permit requires the municipalities to implement and maintain a storm water management program that reduces the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent possible, protects water quality, and satisfies the water quality requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act. In Indiana, the MS4 program is overseen by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) at the state level.
Dan Ross
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Mr. Ross is actively engaged in community partnership activities to connect and align the creative sector with broad community initiatives. He currently serves on the Fort Wayne Public Art Commission and the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership Regional Opportunities Council. Prior to his work at Arts United, Mr. Ross held several administrative staff positions with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic including interim executive director, general manager, director of artistic operations, and orchestra personnel manager.
Mr. Ross also performed as a trumpet player for the Fort Wayne Philharmonic from 1983 to 2023, performed as a substitute with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra from 1979 to 2003, and has taught at Grace College and Indiana-Purdue University at Fort Wayne.
Darlene Vassil
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Along with my teaching I also found time to create my own paintings, raise 3 children, and freelance 200 wall murals in homes and businesses. Now retired, I recently moved to Decatur to spend more time with family, have an art studio, and be a part of the Decatur art community. I am a board member for The Decatur Sculpture Tour, Decatur Arts Commission, and the North Adams Art Council. I have an art studio in the Ace 40.8 Galley where my enjoyment of serendipitous moments continues.
Mari McHenry
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Among other responsibilities, Mari serves as a liaison of Cameron for public policy matters and community needs as it pertains to DEI and social determinants of health. Her experience working closely with students, scholars, staff, and local community members from diverse cultural backgrounds has instilled in her a deep understanding of the importance of creating safe and inclusive environments. Having lived and worked abroad, coupled with raising multiethnic children with her husband, she possesses a true appreciation for diversity and its capacity to enrich communities. With the support of amazing leadership at Cameron, Mari is committed to promoting inclusivity and celebrating the richness diversity brings, firmly believing that embracing differences makes communities stronger and more resilient.
Adam Toering
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Most recently, Toering was the Historic Preservation Administrator with the City of South Bend, coordinating government preservation efforts and serving as staff to the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County. During his six-year tenure in local government, Toering participated in preservation planning and project review for hundreds of individual structures and nine designated neighborhoods, as well as advised other governmental units on how to handle historic assets. During that time, he oversaw the adoption of the updated “Standards and Guidelines” for designated historic properties, the first time in nearly 20 years that these documents had been modified. Toering sees investing in historic preservation projects as economically prudent and enjoys helping property owners understand how carefully executed projects can save money and create desirable, exciting spaces.