Larry Smith
President/CEO

Education: M.S. – Stanford School of Business, Stanford University

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: August 2022

Larry has over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, most recently as Director of Development for Central Indiana Community Foundation/Hamilton County Community Foundation. Prior to that, he was Founder and CEO of Leading Edge Advisory Firm (LEAF LLC), working primarily with nonprofit organizations to provide guidance on board development, fundraising, and strategic planning.

 

Penny Dunning
VP of Administration

Education: MBA – Western Governors University

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: March 2024

How I help the participants: Making sure everything runs like a well-oiled machine means our awesome team can focus on helping our fantastic participants! My mission? To turn all those complicated business processes into a breeze for our staff. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Fun Fact: When I’m not conquering the real world, you’ll find me immersed in the epic realms of World of Warcraft, slaying dragons and questing with my virtual troop!

Corey Parchman
VP of Programs and Partnerships

Education: B.A -Ball State University

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: February  2022

How I help our participants: I work with community partners and other companies to ensure Fathers and Families Center is around another 30 years.
 
Fun Fact: While at Ball State I was once known as the fastest player in college football. I hold several records at Ball State including highest kick return average in a season and in a career, most kick return yards in a season, career and a game. I also holds a Ball State and NCAA Football record for the longest kick return (105 yards) in a game. Because of this record-breaking feat, I was featured on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman.

Mohammed Sayeed

Controller

Education: MBA – University of Indianapolis

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: March 2024

How I help participants: By making sure the bills are paid on time.

 

 

Ken Beverly

Director of Programs

Education: M.A. Organizational Leadership

How I help participants: My engagement with our participants is to provide education, guidance, and resources that help them build capability while striving for excellence is all areas of fatherhood.

Fun Fact: I love traveling with my wife, coaching basketball, and flying helicopters as a recreation

Joseph Palus, PhD.

Director of Grant Administration, Research & Analytics

Education: PhD, Indiana University

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: January 2018

How I help participants: I seek our grants to help support our programs and conduct/coordinate evaluation efforts for our programs and services

Fun Fact: I read, speak and write Russian.

Mike Thompson

Director of Fund Development

Education: MPA, Indiana University

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: October 2024

How I help participants: I emphasize sharing the inspiring stories of the Fathers and Families Center and its participants, which is crucial for fostering relationships that generate funding. By connecting with individuals, businesses, and potential donors, I showcase the progress of our participants and the dedication of our leadership, all while conveying our mission. I aim for these interactions to inspire meaningful contributions to our organization.

Fun Fact: Before moving to the nonprofit sector in 2010, I worked as a design engineer, developing airbags and seatbelts for major companies such as General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford.

Jack Atkins

Fatherhood Specialist

Education: B.S. – Indiana University

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: December 2021

How I help participants: Everyday I bring my passion for helping others and wanting to see them succeed.

Fun Fact: In high school I played football and was also in the band. During the homecoming parade, I wore my full football uniform under my band uniform.

Nicole El

Workforce Development Manager

Education: B.S. – Indiana University

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: June 2021

How I help participants: I help participants by teaching them the skills to become not just employable but promotable.

Fun Fact: I received the President’s Young Writers Award and became a published author at the age of 16.

Rhonda English

QA Specialist

Education: B.S. Central State University, Wilberforce

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: August 2013

How I help participants: By ensuring the quality of our reports exceeds the expectations of our funders

Fun Fact: My children and I share the same birthday

Danny Graham

Construction Center Manager

Education: A.S. Human Services, Indiana Wesleyan

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: August 2024

How I help participants: I help empower fathers to build confidence and overcome barriers that have previously hindered their growth. It’s very rewarding to be a resource to fathers! Being an aid in connecting the dots plays a major role in unlocking their full potential in both manhood and fatherhood.

Fun Fact: When my daughter was a toddler, I would often entertain her with voice impressions of her favorite cartoon characters. Through this I perfected a pretty good impression of Scooby Doo.

Victoria Handy

Education Specialist

Education: MDiv – Christian Theological Seminary

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: August 2014

How I help participants: By believing in them even when they don’t believe in themselves. By being their best cheerleader even on their worst day. By telling them that giving up is not an option, tempered with plenty of humor.

Fun Fact: I’m very adventurous. I jumped into the ocean from a 32-foot cliff in Jamaica and climbed to the top of a steep mountain in French Lick, IN.

Mekissa Jones

Employment Specialist

Education: M.S. Indiana Wesleyan University

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: January 2024

How I help participants: By accepting, active listening, observing, challenging and encouraging participants to persevere and excel with the provided skill set and/or tools

Fun Fact:  I am a southerner who does not enjoy cooking and has not perfected southern recipes.

Robert Mays

Fatherhood Manager

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: Since 2008

How I help participants: I have the privilege to assist the men and fathers we serve with understanding the importance of a father and the effects of our decisions. I get to be a sounding board of fathers experiencing challenges as well as successful moments in life. I am trusted with the opportunity to be present at some of the most important times in the lives of the fathers and their families we serve.

Fun Fact: One of my favorite foods in life is Grilled Shrimp and at 45 I became allergic to shellfish.

Rebecca Mills

Executive Assistant to the President/CEO

Education: B.S. – Indiana University, Indianapolis

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: June 2021

How I help participants: By keeping the President/CEO and other executives on track so they may accomplish the goals of Fathers and Families Center.

Fun Fact: I know how to epee and foil fence. En Garde

John Muhammad

Fatherhood Specialist

Education: B.S. – Purdue University in Fort Wayne, IN.

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: June 2021

How I help participants: I help participants increase their awareness of their value and impact on the lives of their children and positively influence their desire to commit to being a responsible father.

Fun Fact: I have served in the role of a father for 10 children who have blessed me with 13 grandchildren

Natisha Washington

Bookkeeper

Education:B.S. – Indiana Technical Institute

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: October 2024

How I help participants: By providing financial information that helps with the business planning and decision making for our different programs.

Fun Fact: I love being in the mountains and camping.

Landon Radford

Data Specialist

Education: B.A. – Purdue University

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: 2016

How I help participants: I coordinate program reporting metrics which helps to strengthen programs and secure funding  so that we can continue to provide services.

Fun Fact: I have a twin brother