Foundation Staff

Community Foundation Staff

We have a dedicated professional staff with more than 150 years of combined experience with the Community Foundation. We’ll help you achieve your philanthropic goals.

Rose Meissner

President
Rose Meissner joined the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County when it was first established in 1992. Under her leadership, the Foundation has grown to be one of the top 100 community foundations in the United States. Meissner holds an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, and a MA in English Literature and a BA in Economics from the University of Notre Dame.

Anita Echevarria

Vice President, Administration
Anita Echevarria joined the Community Foundation in 2002.  As Vice President, Administration, Echevarria is responsible for the Foundation's day-to-day operations including accounting, audit, financial management, information technology, and human resources. Echevarria holds an MBA from Indiana University South Bend and a BBA with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame.

Angela Workman

Vice President, Program
Angela Workman has been with the Community Foundation since 1999. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Marketing and Psychology, Workman also holds an MA in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). At the Foundation, she oversees program activities and program staff, working closely with the grants processes.

Malissa Ayala

Senior Program Officer, Education
Malissa Ayala, previously with the Community Foundation from 2002 to 2010, returned in 2022 after more than a decade working with financial aid and scholarships for IU South Bend and for Purdue University. Most recently, she held the position of Director of Span Plan Nontraditional Student Services at Purdue. She holds a BS from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue , as well as an MA in Instructional Design & Technology from Purdue.

Kayla Myers

Senior Program Officer
Kayla Myers joined the Community Foundation in 2014, and supports the Foundation's efforts in programming and scholarships. Myers holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Public Affairs with a concentration in Nonprofit Administration and Policy, both from IU South Bend.

Roberto Leal

Program Officer, Student Success
Roberto Leal joined the Community Foundation in September 2023. As a graduate of Washington High School and a beneficiary of the 21st Century Scholars Program, Roberto has incredible passion for helping students in St. Joseph County to realize their potential. Roberto is a former Teacher of the Year nominee in the South Bend Community School Corporation and has a degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in English / Language Arts from IUSB.

Christine Amstutz Moore

Program Officer
Christine Amstutz Moore joined the Community Foundation in November 2023 and supports the Foundation’s efforts in programming and scholarships. She worked in higher education for over 10 years before joining the Foundation, primarily in international student services and academic advising. Christine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bluffton University in Bluffton, Ohio.

Clare Ramel

Program Associate
Clare Ramel started work with the Community Foundation in 2021 as a member of the Program team. She holds a BA in Communication from the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, and has previous experience in working for media and nonprofit organizations in the Fort Wayne area.

Brian Markin

Staff Accountant
Brian Markin came to the Community Foundation in January 2024 as a Staff Accountant after nearly 19 years in various finance, accounting, and IT roles at a Fortune 500 consumer packaged goods company. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Toledo and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Western Michigan University.

Aaron Helman

Director of Communications
Aaron Helman joined the Community Foundation in 2023, and has worked in nonprofit communications and marketing around South Bend for the past 15 years. He is responsible for internal and external communications, marketing, and public relations. He has a BA in Economics from Indiana University (IUPUI), and is the author of two local history books.

Sharan Palmer

Accounting Associate
Sharan Palmer began working for the Community Foundation in August 2023, and has more than 20 years of experience working for nonprofit organizations in the South Bend area.  Sharan has an AS degree in Accounting at Oakland Community College in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
P.O. Box 837, South Bend, IN 46624 | 305 S. Michigan St., South Bend, IN 46601 | Phone: (574) 232-0041 | Fax: (574) 233-1906

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