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Governance
Advisory executive Council
president
derrick wilson
Derrick Wilson graduated from the University of Louisville School of Law (Cum Laude) in 1991. His Bar Admissions include Indiana, Kentucky, U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana and U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit.
Derrick Wilson’s practice is devoted to family law, medical malpractice defense, business counsel and representation, and personal injury matters.
He has served as a Council member for St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities since 2012.
Vice-president
DR. MELISSA FRY
Melissa Fry has earned the degrees of B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in Sociology. Since 2011 she has been the Director of the Applied Research and Education Center and Assistant Professor of Sociology at Indiana University Southeast.
Melissa joined the Council in 2015 after working with St. Elizabeth’s staff on the plan to end homelessness and through networks in the community. Impressed with the quality of the staff and programs, she welcomed the opportunity to get involved with the organization through Council service.
Melissa and her husband, Mark Konty, are the proud parents of two teenage sons.
Secretary
Alan Akin
Alan Akin received his BS in Accounting from Western Kentucky University and worked with Arrow Electric from 1982 up until his recent retirement.
He joined the Council around 2003 after another member extended an invitation.
Alan and his wife Karen were blessed with a daughter by God and through the agency’s adoption services so he felt getting involved would be a great way to give back.
Alan is an active member of St. Anthony of Padua and also serves as Vice President of Kiwanis Club of Clarksville.
Treasurer
Brenda Byrne
Brenda Byrne received a BS in Business Administration from Indiana University Southeast. For 25 years Brenda worked as an accountant with the former McCauley Nicolas & Co CPAs.
Brenda volunteered as the first bookkeeper for St. Elizabeth when it opened in 1989 and soon became an employee, handling various accounting, human resources and general business concerns of the fast growing St. Elizabeth.
After leaving in the late 1990s, she came back as a volunteer and has served on the Advisory Council since 2008. Brenda is passionate about St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities and the vital services the agency provides to assist women and children, giving them positive solutions and a strong support system during difficult circumstances.
Brenda and her husband Pat are members of St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church in Floyds Knobs. They are parents of 3 children, 5 grandchildren and another on the way.
Council-At-Large
Tonja Aaron-Wells
Tonja Aaron-Wells is a lifelong Kentuckiana resident. She is a real estate broker with over twenty years of experience in the field. Tonja has been very active in the Southern Indiana Realtors Association, serving numerous roles for the organization over the years including board member, chair, vice chair and interim CEO.
Tonja and her husband, John, enjoy many activities together including music, fine dining, travel and social dance lessons. Tonja chose to get involved with St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities because she wanted to devote time to serving a charity within the community.
Mary Beth Camp
Mary Beth Camp is retired from the March of Dimes, where she worked for 19 years and served as Division Director and NICU Family Support Specialist. While working at the March of Dimes Mary Beth became familiar with St Elizabeth Catholic Charities. The two organizations’ missions intersected. She was always very impressed with the work that St. Elizabeth’s did and vowed that when she retired, she would volunteer for them.
Mary Beth joined the St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities Council in 2021. She serves on the Direct Services team which coordinates and leads craft, sewing, and cooking classes with residents in the shelter. Mary Beth also works several shifts at Marie’s Blessings each month.
About her work with St. Elizabeth, she says, “Once I became involved, eventually joining the Council, I became even more impressed with St. Elizabeth’s and feel honored to be a part of it’s work and mission.”
Sharyn Cortés-Cabello
Sharyn Cortés-Cabello was born in New York City. She earned a Doctorate in Education from Azusa Pacific University in California and worked in education for the Covina-Valley Unified School District in Covina, CA for 18 years.
Sharyn and her husband, Miguel, moved to Crestwood, KY in 2018 where they joined St. Aloysius Catholic Parish. Sharyn enjoys cooking, reading, science experiments, travel and spending time with God, friends, and family, especially her grandchildren.
She is currently retired and volunteers in the office at St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities. She chose to become involved with St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities to “build up God’s kingdom by helping others.”
Anne Cristiani
Anne Cristiani attended Indiana University Southeast and is the Owner of A.C. Equipment Rental, Inc. She has been involved with Clark County 4-H (Leader/Area II Horse & Pony Committee Secretary), Spriestersbach Corporation (Secretary) and Exit Zero. Her personal interests include travel, riding horses, camping, golfing and cooking. She also enjoys spending time with family including her husband (Dan), children (Lora, Daniel, Lisa, Kyle and Rachel) and many grandchildren.
Anne lists her Faith as the most important thing to her. She is part of the Faith Formation Committee at St. John Paul II Catholic Church. In fact, it was Father Tom Clegg who first approached Anne with the suggestion that her interests and abilities would be a great fit with St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities. Anne is excited to bring her business sense, strong faith and caring nature to assist with fulfilling the agency’s mission.
Pat Daily
Pat Daily is a life-long resident of Southern Indiana, having grown up in Jeffersonville. He graduated from Providence High School, Indiana University Southeast and Stonier School of Banking. Since the mid 1980’s, he has worked in the banking industry including PNC Bank and Heritage Bank/ Community Bank where he served as President. In 2003 he became an Executive Vice President and Board member of The New Washington State Bank (NWSB). In 2017 he became President of the company and in 2021 became the CEO.
As a volunteer in the community, he has served on the Boards of Noah’s Ark, Providence High School United Way of Southern Indiana and New Hope Services, Inc. Pat has also been a volunteer through the years for Boys Scouts of America, One Southern Indiana, American Heart Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Indiana Bankers Association.
Pat and his wife Chanda live in Sellersburg, near their children Lauren, Ella, Christian and Caleb. Additionally, they have 3 grandchildren Sunny, River and Crew.
Greg Ernstberger
Greg received his B.S. degree from St. Meinrad College, and M.A. from Ball State University, majoring in Biology. He retired from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. in 2013 after 33 years of service. He served in various capacities in hospital sales and hospital sales management over his career.
He has served previously on the St. Meinrad Alumni Association Board of Directors, and the Community Kitchen of Jeffersonville Board. He is an active member of St. Mary of the Knobs where he has been an RCIA Catechist, Eucharistic Minister, and served on various parish committees. He has served on the St. Elizabeth Advisory Council since 2021, and is currently Facilities Committee, Chair.
Greg and Jan began their 44-year marriage at St. Malachy Church in Brownsburg, Jan’s home parish. They have four adult children, their spouses, and five beautiful grandchildren. Greg enjoys playing golf, fishing, and reading in his spare time.
Emmett Exum
Emmett Exum attended the University of Louisville and works as Branch Manager at Interlinc Mortage Services, LLC in Louisville, KY.
He Joined the Council in July of 2016. He has been a long-time supporter of St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities and when the opportunty presented itself to join the council he knew he wanted to be part of it.
Emmett and his wife Jackie have two children: Lila and Nora.
Kim Fancher
Kim Fancher has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Quantitative Business Analysis from the Indiana University School of Business. She has more than 28 years of experience in IT and has been a leader in learning and development for over 10 years. She is passionate about positivity in leadership. Kim recently retired from Humana as Associate Director IT Learning Services.
Kim resides in Floyds Knobs with her husband Scott. They have three grown children, Sean, Jami and Will. The Fanchers are members of St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church where Kim is part of the Service & Social Ministry. Kim enjoys spending time with family and friends, boating, golfing, cooking and being a lifelong learner.
Kim decided to join St. Elizabeth’s Council because she fully believes that the agency’s mission and values are the foundation for making a difference in so many lives. She also feels her leadership and organizational skills can help support this important mission.
Tom Gettelfinger
Tom Gettelfinger retired in 2015 as President/CEO of Zeon Chemicals after 43 years. He joined the council in 2016 and has served on the PQI committee and worked with the school counseling program. The invitation to join the council in 2016 fit well with his goal to be more involved in community outreach in his retirement years.
He is particularly active in the local parish Haiti outreach program, the national Parish Twinning Program of the Americas for Haiti and Latin American, and the Homeless Coalition of Southern Indiana White Flag program.
Tom and his wife Judy are members of St. John Paul II in Sellersburg Tom and Judy have been married over 50 years, with 3 children and 5 grandchildren.
Abbi Harbeson
Abbi is the Coordinator of Youth Ministry for Holy Family Catholic Church in New Albany. A native of Kentuckiana, she graduated from Providence High School before receiving her Bachelor of Theology from St. Joseph’s College of Maine.
Abbi currently resides in New Albany with her husband David where she can be found organizing or baking. She also participates in hiking and other outdoor activities.
St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities’ Board is Abbi’s first endeavor as a board member of a local organization. She has worked with St. E’s for previous service and youth ministry projects. She is honored to be a part of the mission here at St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities.
Brenda Harris
Brenda Harris is a therapist for Lucas Oil Products. She studied Psycology at Purdue University and lives in Columbus, Indiana.
Doug Harritt
Doug Harritt is the co-founder and president of Harritt Group, Inc. He is a licensed auctioneer and real estate broker in Indiana & Kentucky as well as a respected personal property appraiser.
He has been the official auctioneer for St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities Giving Hope ~ Changing Lives Gala for several year and joined the Council in 2023.
Marcella Hawk
Marcella Hawk is a lifelong Indiana resident. She attended Holy Family Grade School, Providence High School and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. For the past seven years, she has worked as Office Manager for Huber’s Orchard & Winery.
Marcella and her husband, Daniel, reside in Floyds Knobs with their two children, James and Elliott. They are members of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Marcella enjoys spending time with family, cooking, gardening and running.
She decided that after having two children and growing her career for several years, she wanted an opportunity to serve her community. As a mother to young children and a member of the Catholic Faith Community, she feels that St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities speaks directly to her heart.
CHARLOTTE IPSAN, DNP, RNC, NNP-BC
Charlotte Ipsan, DNP, RNC, NNP-BC was named to her current role of Senior Vice President and Chief Hospital Officer, in July 2022. She oversees operations for all Norton Healthcare hospitals.
She previously served as chief administrative officer of Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital, since 2012. Charlotte was instrumental in creating the first women’s and children’s hospital in the Louisville area. She has excelled at implementing a transformational model of comprehensive health care for women, along with expanded pediatric services in conjunction with Norton Children’s.
Charlotte has more than 30 years’ experience in maternal/child and pediatric health care. She worked in several roles at Norton Children’s Hospital, Norton Audubon Hospital and the former Norton Suburban Hospital, including staff nurse; nurse manager, neonatal intensive care unit; and director, women’s services. She was named vice president of Norton Children’s Medical Center, the first pediatric outpatient center of its type in Kentucky, in November 2009, then promoted to system vice president of pediatric services for Norton Healthcare/Norton Children’s Hospital in 2011.
Ken Johnson
Ken Johnson is a lifelong resident of Jeffersonville, Indiana and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He and his wife, Jean, have been married for 33 years and have three children and two grandchildren.
He has earned degrees from Purdue University (BS Pharmacy), Webster University (MBA in Health Services Management), and University of Kentucky (PharmD). Ken has served as a member of the Indiana State Department of Health, Metro United Way Executive Committee, and as Southern Indiana United Way Chairman in the past. He is a current Board Member at Providence High School.
He has served on St. Elizabeth’s Council since 2010 and is current President. Ken got involved with St Elizabeth’s because he feels the agency and breadth of services provided fill vital needs in our community.
Vicky Lopp
Vicky Lopp is a new council member representing St. Mary’s New Albany Parish. Her commitment to volunteerism is evident through her work with Marie’s Blessings.
At St. Mary’s – Navilleton Catholic Church, Vicky volunteers in the parish office and is the secretary of the St. Mary’s Altar Society, whose mission is the upkeep of the altar and Parish house.
After receiving her BA and MEd in Elementary Education at the University of Louisville, she taught in New Albany Floyd County Schools for thirty years, most of which was spent at Grantline Elementary. Vicky and her husband Gary Lopp were blessed with two daughters, Erika and Andrea. Vicky is retired now, leaving more time for volunteering in her community
Amy Lorenz
Amy Lorenz is a Human Relations Culture Ambassador at Samtec. Amy spent most of her life in southern Indiana, attending OLPH and Providence HS. She had been in sales most of her career until joining Samtec.
Impressed by the services provided by St Elizabeth Catholic Charities, she attended the Reverse Raffle in 2019 and saw how much things had grown since she had moved back to the area. When Karen Schuler reached out to see if she was interested in being a part of the council, Amy was thrilled. She officially joined the council in early 2021.
Staci Marshall
Staci earned her Bacherlor’s degree in Communication from Indiana University and her Masters’s degree in Adult Learning from the University of Texas. She is the Director of Training & Development at Appriss, Inc. Staci is the mother of Grayson and Eleanor.
Staci became interested in St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities when she toured the campus with her Leadership Southern Indiana class. She is especially interested in helping the clients achieve self-sufficiency so that they can provide their families with the basic needs and achieve their personal education goals. She joined the Council in July of 2016.
Leaha Gibbons McCrite
Leaha Gibbons McCrite was born and raised in New Albany Indiana. Graduated from Providence High School, then attending Indiana University Southeast. She and her husband started McCrite Milling and Construction Co., Inc. in 1997. They have three children, and seven grandchildren.
Mike Naville ask Leaha to join the Council when daughter Ali was a Senior in High School, but she turned Mike not wanting to make the commitment, and not be able to keep up with that commitment because of traveling with her daughter. Instead, Leaha started planning Gala with Jeannie Schmidt and Kathy Kruer. She joined the Council shortly after daughter Ali graduated.
Leaha is happy that Mike Naville sparked interest in St. E’s those years ago, and feels very fortunate to represent St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities in our community. She has wonderful things to say about St. Elizabeth, “St. E’s is such an important and absolute need in our community.”
Tamyra Persinger
Tamyra Persinger grew up in New Albany, using her time, talent, and treasure to help those in the area. After she retired as and educator from New Albany-Floyd County Schools, Tamyra became a Realtor currently affiliated with Ward Realty Services. She has two adult children, Gretchen and Jacob.
Tamyra’s service to Kentuckiana includes holding several offices in the Nu Chapter of Tri Kappa as well as being a part of Indiana Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Greater Louisville Association of Realtors, Kentucky Real Estate Commission, and Southern Indiana Association of Realtors where she served on the MLS Committee.
As a former teacher, Tamyra witnessed how drugs and domestic violence can affect families and our community. She believes in St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities mission to serve and support these families.
Teresa Pfau
Teresa Pfau is a retired educator. She taught at Community Montessori Public Charter School in New Albany, Indiana, and in the Greater Clark School system. She enjoys traveling, the outdoors, and reading. She is very active with family and friends.
Teresa joined the St. Elizabeth Charities Advisory Board in 2021. She is blessed to be able to serve on this board and work with others with the same mission – to serve the community, and women and families in need.
Kortney Ryan
Kortney Ryan is a lifelong Kentucky resident. She lives in Shelbyville with her husband Rob and their two children.
Kortney is active in her children’s activities and sports teams. She is involved with several organizations including St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities and Lakeside Swim Team.
Kortney is a partner with Jones, Nale & Mattingly PLC and has more than 20 years of public accounting experience. Kortney leads the firm’s accounting and auditing practice. She is a graduate of Western Kentucky University, where she earned her B.S. in Accounting and graduated summa cum laude. She earned her CPA license soon after graduating.
Betty Seal
Betty Seal moved to the Kentuckiana
area when she accepted the position of Vice Chancellor of Advancement at
Indiana University Southeast. She is now retired after more than 20 years of
experience as a professional fundraiser for higher education. Betty earned her B.S. degree in Business
Administration from Albright College and MBA, Community Service and Economic
Development from Alvernia University, both in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Betty believes that the support St.
Elizabeth provides for women and children is needed now, more than ever in our
society, and for that reason she joined the council in 2017. She finds it rewarding to help the agency
fulfill its mission of helping care for women and children in our community who
may have nowhere else to turn.
Betty has a son Michael,
daughter-in-law Brittany, and two granddaughters, Mackayla and Alexandra. She is a member of St. Mary of the Knobs. Her
hobbies include travel, reading, and genealogy.
Andrew Takami
Andrew Takami is the Community Relations Manager of the UPS Foundation.
Abigail Vincent
Abigail Vincent is a lifelong resident of Floyds Knobs, Indiana. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry and Bachelor’s of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Louisville. Since 2015, she has worked at Brown-Forman within the Process Research and Development group.
Abigail and her husband, Dustin, are the proud parents of two young sons. Abigail enjoys spending time with family, camping, gardening and crafting. After focusing on her career and family for several years, Abigail felt a strong calling that becoming involved with St. Elizabeth’s was her way to begin giving back to the community she loves.
Jake Vissing
Jake Vissing is an Attorney with Frost Brown Todd LLP practices extensively in the area of municipal law, representing redevelopment commissions, planning and zoning boards, and sanitary sewer boards, among other municipal and public entities.
Jake is a cum laude graduate of the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where he served as a Note Development Editor on the Indiana Law Review.
Janine Wells
Janine Wells is a Branch Manager of US Bank on Spring Street in New Albany. Originally from Sturgis, Michigan, Janine is a graduate of Ball State University and has lived in Kentuckiana for the past 20 years. She spent her entire professional career in banking and financial services, and in addition to St E’s, also volunteers time with Junior Achievement. She currently resides in Madison with her husband and son, enjoying reading, sports, volunteerism, and photography in her spare time.
Janine joined the council in 2019. For 5 years prior to that, she volunteered with St E’s, providing financial education classes to the women in the shelter. After serving as a volunteer for many years, she was extended an invitation to join the council. She said “Knowing what an impact they make in the community in so many positive ways, I was honored to be asked and was called to commit at a higher level.”
Pam Wright
Pam Wright spent her career managing accounting and Human Resources departments for several small national construction and manufacturing companies. At forty-one she chose to stay at home with her two infant children, spending the next set of years taking kids to school, sports practices, cross country meets and tennis matches and teaching her kids to drive.
Somewhere along the way she started sewing again, working with several high school students to send garments down the KMAC runway and construct prom dresses. She has been a part of Bible Study Fellowship International since 1998 and has been a group leader for fifteen years, leading Bible discussion, discipling and just walking with women through life.
She says of her faith, “My prayer and challenge is to see the unseen, the overlooked as I go about my daily tasks and shine Christ’s light. Light always overcomes darkness, even the smallest hint of light.”
Jennifer Yennes-Vizhnay
Jennifer Yennes-Vizhnay earned a B. A. in Spanish language and literature from Indiana University and an M. B. A. in International Business from IU Southeast. She is co-proprietor of Carpet Corner in New Albany and an active member of St. Anthony’s. Jennifer and her husband, Mauricio have been married for twelve years and have two daughters, Naimah and Zaina.
Danielle Archer, a family friend and at the time a staff member at St. Elizabeth’s, invited her to become involved with the agency. She joined the Council of St. Elizabeth’s in 2013. Jennifer has a firm belief that we should help and love everyone as Christ expects of us.
Ex-Officio
David Bethuram
Executive Director- Secretariat for Catholic Charities
Rev. Jeremy Gries
Holy Family Catholic Church
Mark Casper
Agency Director - St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities
Leah Alexander
Development Director - St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis is comprised of 147 parishes, 71 schools, five Catholic Charities agencies and many offices of ministry across central and southern Indiana. St Elizabeth Catholic Charities is part of and is generously underwritten by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
