On International Women’s Day, we recognize and celebrate the women whose leadership, talent, vision, and dedication strengthen Intend Indiana and the communities we serve. Across the organization, women shape our culture, drive innovation, and open doors for others.
We believe that when women thrive, organizations and communities thrive. Their perspectives improve decision-making, their leadership builds resilience, and their commitment to excellence raises the standard for all of us. From leadership and strategy to operations and community impact, women contribute invaluable insight, integrity, and vision that move Intend Indiana forward.
International Women’s Day is not only a moment of recognition but a reminder of our responsibility. We remain committed to fostering a workplace where women are supported, respected, and empowered to grow. Today, and every day, we are grateful to the women of Intend Indiana for the impact they make and the brighter future they help build.
—Steven Meyer
Keep reading for more sweet sentiments about the fabulous women behind our nonprofit:
Recognizing Stephanie Quick
“Stephanie has been nothing but an exceptional leader and a pleasure to be around since we met. Her consistency, poise, and ability to instill confidence and motivation into those around her are all things that speak to the type of individual she is both inside and outside of the workplace. Stephanie is a pleasure to be around and is a clear example of a thriving woman who helps her community rise.”
—Sam Hunter
Recognizing Angela Thompkins
“When I think of the workplace culture at Intend Indiana, I immediately think of Angela Thompkins. Angela brightens the darkest of rooms – from the Rockstar Jar (ROCKSTAR!) to the mood wheel, I know that if Angela is involved, people will be smiling and laughing. Of course, her impact extends past the morale boosts she provides to Intend’s staff. As People and Operations Manager, Angela ensures that everyone at Intend has what they need to complete the mission. In an organization, logistical capacity and leadership are just as if not more important than anything else. Angela is the secret driving force behind everything Intend does, and her work does not go unnoticed by staff here at Intend!”
—Joe Fillenwarth
Recognizing Katherine Flores
“It is said that the most impactful moments of an interaction are the first impression and the last. This is the very reason why having Katherine Flores as the first point of contact is so integral to our team and organization. Kat exhibits a dutiful compassion in her connections with clients and partners. Service to our communities and the recognition of humanity in everyone inform her engagement. Through her orientation conversations with clients and her input within team collaboration, Kat makes sure Edge Fund and Intend Indiana stay true to our mission and the people we are committed to serve.”
—Demetrius Warren
Recognizing Sarah Schaefer
“As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2026 and the Women of Intend Indiana, I am proud to spotlight Sarah Schaefer, VP of Real Estate Development at Intend Indiana. Sarah brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors, most recently serving with the City of South Bend, where she played a pivotal role in shaping community-driven development initiatives. Sarah helped forge a transformative partnership between Intend Indiana and the City of South Bend—an alliance that helped catapult the Lincoln Park Neighborhood into a new era of revitalization and opportunity. Her ability to align vision, strategy, and collaboration has made a lasting impact on the communities she serves.
Known for her passion, strategic insight, and approachable demeanor, Sarah leads with both heart and expertise. Her commitment to thoughtful, inclusive development continues to strengthen neighborhoods and inspire those around her.”
—Ben Harris
Recognizing Kim Wherry
“Throughout all of the changes and growth Edge Fund has experienced over the past few years, the constant has been Kim. Her knowledge of the programs and the processes is invaluable for her team and has allowed Edge Fund to thrive, and she manages to balance all of her many work responsibilities with her recent leap into motherhood like a pro. Even when she was preparing for leave, Kim went the extra mile to prepare her colleagues for anything that might come their way while she was temporarily out, and hit the ground running once she returned. Intend and its initiatives are made better by dedicated, resilient women like Kim, and we are so grateful for all her contributions!”
—Alex Ervin
Recognizing Corinne Robinson
“Corinne brings heart, integrity, and genuine care for others to everything she does. Through her boundless empathy and unwavering dedication at Intend Indiana, she creates spaces where both colleagues and community members feel empowered and supported. Her resilience, compassion, and commitment to meaningful change strengthen not only our organization but the broader community we serve.”
—Bennett Bensman
Recognizing Kristin Liggin
“Kristin is a consistent, inspiring leader whose support and guidance uplift everyone around her. She leads with empathy, clarity, and integrity, consistently empowering others to grow with confidence and purpose. When Kristin thrives, her impact is felt far beyond her role—inspiring others, fostering trust, and helping our communities rise. Her leadership is a powerful reminder that when women are supported and heard, meaningful change follows.”
—Brian Parks
Recognizing Ashley Bridges
“Have you ever Googled Ashley Bridges? The stories that surface reflect a leader whose impact is both visible and just beginning. In the short time I’ve known her, Ashley’s presence has been consistently recognized for the way she leads with integrity, purpose, and care for others. Her achievements, community engagement, mentorship, and ability to build meaningful connections exemplify what it means to break barriers and advocate for what’s right, not just for women, but for the communities we serve. Ashley’s journey is a powerful reminder that when women are supported and empowered, their ability to thrive creates lasting, positive change for all.”
—Edwin Montano
Recognizing Lauren Warfield-Nowlin
“Lauren Warfield-Nowlin has been with Intend for a little over half a year, yet her contributions to the organization have been substantial. As one of the Trent L. Garrett fellows, she has worked diligently with our Build Fund initiative to spearhead the completion of their second small business cohort and has begun preparations for the third. In her free time, she’s a dedicated member of The Exchange at the Indianapolis Urban League Leadership Fellows program and is training for a marathon with other community members throughout Indianapolis. Her involvement in The Exchange details her commitment to her personal and professional growth as it pertains to civic engagement, economic empowerment, and leadership development. Lauren not only works on herself in her free time but has also invested her time in many of the youth programs around Indianapolis. She is an exemplary example of Intends core values and mission as demonstrated by her involvement throughout Indianapolis and we celebrate her helping communities to rise with her.”
—JaMarious Phillips
Recognizing Emma Steiner
“Emma is Intend’s resident accounting and compliance expert. Her expertise, precision, dependability, and never-ending consistency keep our projects going and allow our organization to better connect people to opportunity. Emma’s role is too often thankless, as she humbly operates as a powerhouse- literally keeping the lights on, ensuring we remain in compliance with funding requirements and our many invoices get paid. We are so lucky to have her on our team, and I’m grateful for her friendship!”
—Jeb Reece
