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.
Katelyn Firestein
Administrative Associate
Katelyn Firestein has been with the Community Foundation since 2018. She is the main coordinator for the local Imagination Library program’s database, enjoying every opportunity she has to get books into the hands of St. Joseph County children. She holds a BA in Health Communication from Indiana University South Bend.
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.
Elizabeth Kubinski
Director of Accounting and Reporting
Hired in 2021, Elizabeth Kubinski is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame. She comes to the Foundation with a background in financial planning and analysis, and is in the process of completing her Master of Nonprofit Administration (MNA) degree at Notre Dame.
Laura Moran Walton
Vice President, Communication and Public Relations
Laura Moran Walton has been with the Community Foundation since 2006. She is responsible for the Foundation's communications, including media contact and publications. Each summer, Moran Walton manages the Community Foundation Performing Arts Series at the Chris Wilson Pavilion. She holds an MA in English Literature from Notre Dame and a BA in English Literature from Grinnell College.
Becky Malewitz
Communications and Events Associate
Becky Malewitz joined the Community Foundation in 2019 as Donor Services and Events Associate. As part of the communications team, Malewitz provides support for events and helps tell the Foundation's stories using her photography and videography skills. Malewitz holds an MA in journalism with a concentration in photojournalism from the University of Montana, and a BA in communications from Valparaiso University.
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.
Emily Hoover
Program Officer
Emily Hoover joined the Community Foundation's Program team in 2021. Previously, she worked in financial aid for Indiana University South Bend. Emily holds a BS in Marketing with a minor in Computer Information Systems from the University of Indianapolis.
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.
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.