YMCA of Elkhart County
Our Leadership
Focused on creating lasting personal and social change for our communityOur Y is governed by our Board of Directors that consists of volunteers from throughout the Elkhart community. Our volunteer Board of Directors sets policy for our executive, who manages the operation with full-time and part-time staff and volunteer leaders. 2012 Board of DirectorsTom Housand, President
Dianne Benko Bruno deJesus Sharon Liegl Julie Phillips Jack Smith Jr. Anthony Warning Suzanne Weirick Andrew Wyse Our Staff Leaders
It takes many caring people to make all the great things happen at the Y. That's why our staff leaders are at the forefront of the YMCA of Elkhart County delivering on its mission. Each of us shares our time, energy and focus on strengthening our community through helping kids reach their potential, encouraging healthy living for all ages, and giving back to our neighbors.
Here are the men and women who are leading the YMCA into the future:
 Joyce is a 30+ year veteran of the YMCA of Elkhart County, embodying the mission, values and vision of the organization. A native of Elkhart, Indiana, she began her career at the YMCA of Elkhart County in 1982, working as a teacher for the Preschool Learning Center. Working her way through the ranks, she became the Assistant Aquatics Director in 1987, before stepping into the role of Membership & Program Services Director in 2003. Prior to her appointment to Executive Director in 2008, Joyce served as COO beginning in 2006 and also the interim Executive Director following the retirement of Robert Brown, the former 10-year Executive Director. Joyce graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science from Indiana University South Bend and earned several certifications in Customer Service from Ivy Tech Community College in South Bend. During a recess from her Y career, Joyce worked for Monaco Coach Corporation as a Performance Trainer. In her years as Executive Director of the YMCA of Elkhart County, Joyce is credited with reenergizing and bringing to fruition an initiative to sustain the YMCA during the economic downturn while still accurately addressing the community’s needs. She is also a Rotary member and a volunteer for her church. Joyce loves spending her free time traveling to visit with her children and grandchildren, who are spread across the state.
Janice Werts Controller/Human Resources  Janice began as a volunteer for the Y and now performs the double duty of Controller and Human Resources for the YMCA of Elkhart County. She has helped organized and establish the HR department and maintains a very good working rapport with local vendors. Janice has also been a girl scout leader for over five years and for life balance, you can find her spending her free time camping with her family. She was originally introduced to the Y when she was just a teen looking for a place to stay fit for athletic purposes. Now, Janice really enjoys working for the Y. She finds so much meaning in the faces we meet, the stories we hear and the lives that are touched.
Theresa Serafino Membership Director  Theresa is a 20+ year veteran of the YMCA of Elkhart County. Originally she served as the Assistant Director of Childcare for the YWCA (housed in the same facility as the YMCA), became the Preschool Learning Center Director for the YMCA of Elkhart County in 1989 (a bold move for its time), followed by her current position as Membership Director for the YMCA of Elkhart County. Theresa also leads Day Camp, School Days Out and early childhood education. Her primary responsibilities to the Y are understanding the dynamics of membership, articulating the needs, and executing the goals. When Theresa isn't at the Y you will often find her socializing with friends, reading, cooking, attending sporting events, spending time with family, or traveling. Since their children began kindergarten, Theresa and her husband have also been actively involved in the education of their children including in the schools where their children attend. She was even a part of the CASA program for about 2 years. Theresa believes that working with children made her a better parent and working for Y for as long as she has made her a better person.
Joel Fenner e-Communications Director Originally from Virginia, Joel was introduced to the Y in 1998 when he became a certified YMCA lifeguard at the Downtown Family YMCA in Louisville Kentucky. Prior to earning his degree from Indiana University, Joel worked as a lifeguard for the Monroe County YMCA in Bloomington Indiana starting in January 2002. In 2004 he moved to Elkhart Indiana and took a part-time position as a lifeguard for the YMCA of Elkhart County. In 2005 Joel was given the opportunity to serve the Y as Marketing Coordinator (the last official hire by Robert Brown, former 10-year Executive Director, before his retirement). In 2007 Joel became the Director of Communications and in January 2011 he became the e-Communications Director for the YMCA of Elkhart County, YMCA of Michiana and Niles-Buchanan YMCA. Joel helped organize the YMCA of Elkhart County marketing department and led the development and implementation of the YMCA of Elkhart County's strategic three-year marketing plan. He also designed and maintains the websites for the YMCA of Elkhart County, YMCA of Michiana, Niles-Buchanan YMCA and YMCA Camp Eberhart. Joel volunteers for his local church and is in a book club. He also met his wife at the Y. Terry Jackson Health & Wellness Director  Terry is an Elkhart Native with a BA in Criminology/Psychology from Purdue University. He first became familiar with the Y in his youth. Now, Terry is the Health & Wellness Director for the YMCA of Elkhart County. He is currently attending IUSB to get a Masters in Physical Therapy. Terry's past position at the Elkhart Community Schools allowed him to work with parents, students and teachers in home support, educational resources, parenting ideas and classes. He worked with the staff to determine resources to identify the needs of families and discuss ways of meeting these needs. His position as Head Volleyball Coach allowed him to put in place a fitness action plan and coaching to meet the needs of the players individual skills. With 15 years of experience in the fitness arena, he is committed to promoting healthy living through diet, exercise and education. In his spare time he enjoys playing competitive volleyball and tennis.
Jeff Kline Facilities Director  Jeff Kline joined the YMCA in the middle of 2010 to help expand and improve Y facilities and grounds as the Facilities Director. He brings over 20 years experience in the commercial world to the position with past supervisory skills and 18 years in commercial/residential construction. Jeff first came in contact with the Y in 1998 when he enrolled his children in the YMCA Youth Sports program. He is primarily responsible for the Y facility and grounds, but Jeff also helped organize the YMCA of Elkhart County preventative maintenance program. He has earned certifications in Business Management and Supervision from Indiana University South Bend and Goshen College. Apart from his Y duties, Jeff serves on the the Beautification Council of Elkhart through the Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, the Porter Township Wetlands Committee and is a member of the local Harley Davidson Group. He loves spending free time with family and friends at his lake house in Michigan and riding his Harley with his wife Michelle. Jeff credits the Y with opening his eyes to those with special needs, something that had never before been in his life.
Terri Oliver Aquatics Director  Terri came to the YMCA of Elkhart County on a scholarship membership. In 2004 she began volunteering for the Aquatics programs. She soon took the position of Aquatics Coordinator and in 2006 became the Aquatics Director. Terri oversees the Y's two indoor swimming pools including the lifeguards, swim lesson program, special populations program and swim team. She also mentors younger staff, many who are just being introduced into the work force. Terri strives to instill good work ethics and Y values in a very high-risk environment. Before the Y she was a teen parent educator under a grant program with the school system. Terri now enjoys spending her free time with her children at her lakeside home in Michigan. She is also an EMT with the Fire Department.
Jean Tavernier Community Activities Director With nearly 30 years of experience at the Y, Jean has held a variety of positions. Her diverse Y career includes preschool volunteer, gymnastics teacher, and welcome center employee as well as swim lesson instructor, health and wellness staff and Y Membership Director. Jean always performed all these duties with an emphasis on improving the lives of people. In her current role as Community Activities Director, she oversees the planning of programs that encourage people to exercise, socialize, and get involved in community activities that “give-back” to local and state agencies. Jean is also responsible for continuing education through the mediums of art and technology. She has expanded health awareness among those who participate in the Senior Center by implementing programs that partner with other agencies who share a wealth of knowledge concerning health related issues and topics. Jean has successfully created a "home-like" feel that has been very well received. With a bachelor's degree from Ball State University in Interior Design, she still often incorporates her creative talents into her work. Jean is a very proud mother and grandmother and enjoys the great outdoors of Michigan with her husband, two horses, four dogs and two cats. Jean is confident that in the future no one will care how wealthy she was or what kind of material possessions she had. Instead, she'd rather be remember as someone who helped others. Valerie Schumacher Youth Sports Administrator  Valerie joined the YMCA of Elkhart County in the summer of 2007 to help expand and improve the Y member experience as the Welcome Center Coordinator. Having retired from 30 years of teaching/administrating in Christian school education, Valerie offers a high level of organization and childhood education experience. Working the front desk afforded her the opportunity to commit to the Y mission. Valerie is currently the Youth Sports Administrator for the YMCA of Elkhart County. In this role, Valerie provides many youngsters with their first competitive experiences. She also offers leadership to the volunteer coaches and oversees all youth sports program areas with specific emphasis in basketball, t-ball, soccer, flag football, martial arts and gymnastics. Valerie uses her creativity and passion for learning to teach developmental assets in hopes of impacting not only youth but the whole community. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Elementary Education so it's obvious that learning is very important to her work at the Y. Valerie is also a member of the Elkhart Luncheon Optimists Club and is a volunteer leader for a small group Bible study for her church. For several years now she and her husband have been ballroom dancing. Valerie loves reading, enjoys walking for leisure and exercise, scrap-booking, cooking and traveling.
Jennifer Keen Executive Assistant/Events Coordinator  Jennifer is the Executive Assistant and Events Coordinator for the YMCA of Elkhart County. In 2006, while taking her son to the YMCA Preschool Learning Center, Jennifer noticed a sign asking for Volunteers for the Special Populations Swim Program and the rest was history. Over the course of 2 years Jennifer began taking responsibility of programs which ultimately led to the position that she currently holds today. She helped establish and maintains 4 annual community outreach and fundraising events and plays a pivotal role in the Y's annual support campaign. Jennifer was also the driving force behind: the YMCA's book nook area (where children play while their parents are helped at the Welcome Center); the adapted life jackets for the Special Populations swim program; the re-instated Employee Above and Beyond Recognition program that was expanded to Members and Volunteers; the overwhelming success of the annual Healthy Kids Day event that was expanded to cover 40 non-profit agencies and 1500 attendees; and instrumental in re-instating Sundays as Family Day at the Y. Jennifer came to the Y with an education in social work and has prior positions and experiences with persons with special needs. She also has a background in Community Relations for nonprofit organizations. Jennifer serves on the school board for the school that her children attend and she, along with her husband and their children, volunteers for a local food bank.
Carlos Harris Youth Services Coordinator  Carlos originally began his Y career in Chicago Illinois. However, in 2007 he relocated to Elkhart and began volunteering as coach for the YMCA of Elkhart County's traveling basketball team. His passion for youth development gradually led to his current position as Youth Services Coordinator. Carlos's primary responsibilities include directing and managing the YMCA's Wanke Youth Center. He has created innovative and comprehensive youth programs in a structured environment offering mentoring, tutoring/homework help, college visits, workforce readiness and other educational pieces. Carlos also partners with other community leaders who share and teach youth valuable life skills through mini-sessions and seminars. He ensures that the YMCA Wanke Youth Center remains a free community based program that offers a safe place for Elkhart adolescents and teens between the ages of 7 and 18. His main focus is to teach positive life values and the Y mission to our local youth. Carlos has studied Physical Education and Early Childhood Development at various schools and universities across the country including: Phillips College in Texas, Conners State College in Oklahoma, Northeastern Illinois University and North Park University in Chicago. During his free time, Carlos spends it with his wife and children. He loves playing basketball, watching movies, listen to jazz and visiting his extended family in Chicago. Carlos has become a big brother to many kids in the Elkhart community and feels that it has made him a family person in the best way. He is teaching our youth how to love and respect themselves so they can do the same for others.
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