Intend Indiana Expands Leadership Team to Advance Statewide Housing and Community Development Efforts

INDIANAPOLIS – Intend Indiana has expanded its leadership team, welcoming two vice presidents and a new director to advance the organization’s statewide housing and community development efforts.

Sarah Schaefer has joined Intend Indiana as vice president of real estate, Caleb Bauer has joined as vice president of strategic initiatives, and Ashley Bridges has stepped into the role of director of Build Fund. In these roles, all will work across Intend’s integrated initiatives, including Affordable HomeMatters, Renew Landbank, Edge Fund, and Build Fund.

Schaefer brings nearly two decades of experience in affordable housing and community development, including roles with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the New York City Housing Authority. Most recently, she served as deputy director of the Department of Community Investment for the City of South Bend, where she helped lead efforts to expand housing opportunities and strengthen neighborhoods. She holds a graduate degree in philanthropic studies and nonprofit management from Indiana University Indianapolis.

Bauer, a native Hoosier, most recently led the City of South Bend’s Department of Community Investment, overseeing a 77-person department and more than $60 million in annual revenue. During his tenure, he helped lead a housing policy framework that contributed to significant growth in single-family home development and the creation of more than 2,000 new housing units. He also led negotiations supporting more than $1.3 billion in private investment and remains active in community leadership roles across Indiana.

In her role as director of Build Fund, Bridges will lead the continued growth and deployment of Build Fund’s small business lending strategy, supporting entrepreneurs across Indiana with access to flexible, responsible capital. She has been instrumental in advancing Build Fund’s work and brings strong experience in community development finance and program implementation.

“Sarah, Caleb, and Ashley each bring a strong track record of leading complex initiatives and building partnerships to move meaningful work forward,” shared Intend Indiana President Stephanie Quick. “As we continue to grow, their leadership will be critical in advancing our work across Indiana and ensuring our initiatives are aligned to meet the needs of communities stateswide.”

Across Indiana, Intend is deploying flexible lending strategies and quality housing solutions to support community-driven development and expand access to opportunity statewide. Through this work, the organization is also advancing strategic partnerships and initiatives that strengthen local capacity and align resources across markets. Schaefer, Bauer, and Bridges will help guide the continued growth and coordination of these efforts as demand in communities statewide increases.

Intend Indiana partners with community-based organizations, nonprofits, foundations, banks, and state and local governments to leverage resources and deliver impactful programs designed to meet the needs of communities across the state. For more information about Intend Indiana, visit intendindiana.org.