Kara Simmons
Kara@elevateindy.org
Teacher-Mentor
George Washington High School

Ms. Kara Simmons has served her home community of Indianapolis throughout her career to help develop youth, beginning with Elevate Indy in October 2019.

As a Teacher-Mentor with Elevate Indy, Kara serves as the school lead for George Washington High School and executes monthly large-group mentoring community service events for all Elevate students and staff to participate in in conjunction with community collaborators who embrace our holistic mission.

Kara began working within her local church, where she served as a teen youth leader before working with middle school youth at Emma Donnan as a teachers’ assistant and mentor. Her main goal is to be an aid in positively influencing the lives of Indianapolis youth every day.

Kara has taken classes towards her BS in Psychology at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Joshua Mendoza
Joshua@elevateindy.org
Teacher-Mentor
Arsenal Tech High School

Mr. Josh Mendoza is a native of Denver, CO, where he found his passion for working with youth at the young age of 15. Since then, he has worked as a Paraprofessional, Restorative Practice Coordinator, and Teacher-Mentor.

As a Teacher-Mentor with Elevate Indy since June 2021, Josh serves as the school lead for Arsenal Tech High School and executes sports & adventure programming for Elevate students to participate, implementing Youth-Based Sports Development principals throughout all Sports & Adventure programming.

As a leukemia survivor, Joshua learned early on the value of life, which has been his motivation since in working with youth. Joshua was honored as an MBK Honoree in 2019 by Mayor Hancock in Denver for his work with youth; he brings that drive and passion for servant-leadership with him to Elevate Indy. Joshua is pursuing a B.A. in Communication Studies with an expected graduation of 2023.

Aside from spending time with his wife, Ashley, and two beautiful daughters, Milah & Addie, Joshua enjoys playing sports (mostly basketball), watching the Denver Nuggets, writing, and doing outdoor adventure activities.

Allison Banks
Allison@elevateindy.org
Teacher-Mentor, Lead for Elevate Beyond
Arsenal Tech & George Washington High Schools

Ms. Allison Banks is a proud alumna of Arsenal Technical High School, where she played both volleyball and basketball. She continued her education and has received a B.S. from Indiana State University and an M.S. from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Allison serves as the Lead Teacher-Mentor for Elevate Beyond, our accredited college & career class, where she teachers and mentors the students of Arsenal Tech High School, George Washington High School, and alumni since March 2021.

As the mother of two teens, Allison continues to find time for her passions to play volleyball and travel. She comes to Elevate with 15+ years of management experience from the restaurant, retail, and travel/transportation industries. Though born in South Carolina, her roots are here in Indianapolis.

Daniel Jones
Daniel@elevateindy.org
Teacher-Mentor
George Washington High School

Mr. Daniel Jones was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is a graduate of Pike High School and an alum of the University of Illinois where he studied communication. He began with Elevate Indy in August 2020 and serves in our westside pipeline as a Teacher-Mentor at Matchbook Learning Community in Haughville and George Washington High School.

Daniel has worked with youth for the past 10 years through coaching, teaching, case management and mentoring services and has developed a deep passion for helping youth discover their potential and accomplish their goals. He has a wife of two years and is passionate about photography, track and field, and teaching and learning.

Braylon Myers
Braylon@elevateindy.org
Teacher-Mentor
Arsenal Tech High School

Mr. Braylon Myers is from the North Eastside of Indianapolis where he graduated from Lawrence North High School. During high school Braylon was the president of Character Crew and captain of the soccer team.

Braylon serves in our eastside pipeline as a Teacher-Mentor, where he has served the students at Arsenal Tech High School since May 2019.

Braylon played college soccer at Eastern Illinois University where he continued to develop his life skills with local mentoring and volunteering, and now to train youth soccer athletes. He transferred to Ball State where he graduated with a Communication Studies degree and now lives in Lawrence township area.

Kaitlyn Akin
Program Administrator

Kaitlyn was born and raised in Indianapolis and a graduate of North Central High School. She studied art with a focus in Photography at USI, and transferred to IUPUI where she studied Art Education. With nearly 15 years working with non-profits, as an art teacher, and directly with Indy’s youth, she wanted to shift her focus to expand her impact to youth across Indianapolis with Elevate helping organize our Pathways to Purpose programming. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her niece, cross country road trips, photography, fiber arts, and taking on new adventures.

Ben Klinge
Ben@elevateindy.org
Teacher-Mentor
Harshman Middle School & Matchbook Learning at Wendell Phillips 63

Mr. Ben Klinge is a native Hoosier who returned home from 7 years in Denver, CO where he spent the last 3 years working for our sister organization, Colorado Uplift as a Teacher-Mentor.

Ben began with Elevate Indy in January 2020 and serves in our westside pipeline as a Teacher-Mentor and as the school lead at Matchbook Learning Community in Haughville.

Ben holds a Youth Ministry degree from the University of Indianapolis and has served urban youth through many platforms and even in another country. His passions encompass an array of activities and hobbies, but the heart at each of those is loving people.

Mandy Schumerth
Mandy@elevateindy.org
Teacher-Mentor

Ms. Mandy Schumerth, originally of Culver, IN, is a graduate of Anderson University with a major in Spanish and a minor in Education. She studied abroad in Mérida, Mexico, & loves traveling both internationally & domestically. She has over a decade of youth development experience and planted herself on the East side after a position called her to Indy in 2012.

Mandy serves in our eastside pipeline as a Teacher-Mentor, the school lead at Harshman Junior High School and coordinates community collaborations with Shepherd Community.

Mandy enjoys being active and generally spends her time out and about at concerts, athletics, or community events. She’s a passionate Notre Dame fan (for better or worse), loves learning about different cultures, spending time with friends and family, and being outdoors (when it’s warm).

Devon Archie
Devon@elevateindy.org
Teacher-Mentor

Mr. Devon Archie was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN on the West side of town. He graduated with an Associate’s Degree in 2009 from Vincennes University. In 2012, he received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Iowa in Recreational Management. 

He says, “working with youth is a passion I discovered years ago and I look forward to continuing that passion with Elevate.” 

Devon Archie
Devon@elevateindy.org
Teacher-Mentor

Mr. Devon Archie was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN on the West side of town. He graduated with an Associate’s Degree in 2009 from Vincennes University. In 2012, he received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Iowa in Recreational Management. 

He says, “working with youth is a passion I discovered years ago and I look forward to continuing that passion with Elevate.” 

Dr. Camille Scott Tolliver

As a contracted team member with Elevate Indy to administer academic supports to Elevate Indianapolis students, Dr. Tolliver brings over 20 years’ experience successfully providing educational leadership, program evaluation, behavior intervention, and positive academic and behavioral outcomes for students who have experienced severe emotional trauma, drug addiction, abuse and neglect, incarceration and sexual abuse and/or misconduct.

Ms. Nikia D. Garland

Nikia Garland is a teacher and local consultant who specializes in working with other educators to find creative and practical ways to transform pedagogy and learning. Her areas of focus include classroom management, teacher mentoring, best practices in secondary education, curriculum design, differentiated learning, and effective blended learning strategies.

During her 20 plus years in education, Nikia has taught a wide range of ELA classes at the secondary, international, and higher education level, mentored new teachers, and developed district curriculum. She has presented at a variety of conferences, served on the superintendent’s committees, and has had educational articles published by Chalkbeat Indiana. Nikia also serves on the board of Indiana Teachers of Writing (ITW).

Nikia currently holds both a B.A, M.S. in English Education as well as several other certifications pertaining to the field.

Mabel Moreno
Mabel@elevateindy.org
In-School Program Coordinator 

Ms. Mabel Moreno loves to serve and encourage others and her heart for the next generation has led her to serve diverse students in California, Texas, and Indiana. Mabel has extensive mentoring experience in youth service organizations and universities and has enjoyed being able to support and mentor students to achieve their academic and life goals for over 10 years.

In her position with Elevate Indy as the In-School Program Coordinator she supports the In-School Program in executing the Elevate model and mission to build long-term, life-changing relationships with Indianapolis urban youth with the primary objective of empowering Teacher-Mentors to maximize time spent on teaching and mentoring.

Aaron Story
Aaron@elevateindy.org
President & CEO

Having served as Elevates’ President & CEO since January of 2018, Aaron is an active foster parent, basketball coach, community developer, and near eastside resident. In his role with Elevate, Aaron provides leadership and direction to the staff and board while building like-minded partnership keeping Elevate Indy as a kid-centered organization.

Aaron was born and raised in northern Indiana, and Aaron, Carrie and their 4 children have lived in the Indianapolis area for 20 years. With a history of developing and sharing vision to bring people and organizations together to make community impact for the most marginalized in our city, Aaron has a passionate servant-leader approach. He has served and mentored youth living in economically disadvantaged communities for nearly 15 years.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Indiana Wesleyan University, Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies from Moody Seminary, and numerous certificates in leadership, fundraising and organizational management. In 2019, Mr. Story was recognized as a Leadership Fellow by the Tobias Fellow Program of Indiana University Kelly School of Business. As a Rotarian, Aaron serves on the board of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and is a member of Indy Metro Church.

Adam Johnson
Adam@elevateindy.org
Chief Relationship Officer, Tobias Fellow

Adam Johnson is a graduate of Arlington High School, with a BS in Urban Affairs from IUPUI. He is married with four children, ages 12-23.

In his work with Elevate, Adam Johnson builds and stewards long-term, life-changing relationships with community partners, partner organizations, with team members, students and alumni. His leadership in Elevate Indianapolis equips students and alumni to thrive and contribute to their community.

Adam has worked for the State of IN as a budget analyst and also for Lutheran Child & Family Services (an NPO specializing in the care, treatment, & counseling of youth who exhibit behavioral & emotional impairments) as a Classroom Teacher, Mentoring Program Coordinator, & Residential Program Supervisor. Today, Adam serves on the Board of Directors for LCFS, the VP of the Board of Directors for Grit Into Grace, and is a member of Heartland Church. Additionally, he is a currently an Indiana University Tobias Leadership Fellow.

Amy Goldsmith
Amy@elevateindy.org
Operations Manager

Amy Goldsmith studied Biology at the University of Evansville and earned a Master’s Degree in Health Administration from Indiana University. She and her husband Scott have lived on the eastside of Indy for 25 years and have five children.

In her work with Elevate Indy, Amy provides management of our In-School program in all 5 of our partner schools and designs processes and systems of the impact and metrics of Elevate Indy as recorded and communicated to our community. She is passionate about supporting students and teachers as they learn from one another and grow together.

Amy began her career as an administrator at the Marion County Health Department, then shifted her focus to education as the Vice President of Operations at Artrageous with Nate, an art education video production company.  She is a long-time volunteer at Indianapolis Public Schools, serves as the President of the board of Love Guatemala, and is a member of Indy Metro Church.

Jackson Gutierrez
Jackson@elevateindy.org
Engagement Manager

Jackson Gutierrez is an Indianapolis Near Eastside resident, originally from Los Angeles, California. After attending Bible college at Life Pacific University in San Dimas, CA, and the Emerging Leaders Network in Decatur, IL, Jackson moved to Indianapolis in 2016 to pursue bi-vocational ministry and is currently an active member of Soma Downtown Church, where he met his newly married wife Jessica. In his free time, Jackson enjoys going to concerts at the HiFi in Fountain Square and even works concerts there from time to time. As a life-long learner and someone who enjoys knowledge, Jackson is pursuing a Communications degree through Purdue University Global. In 2021, he obtained a Certificate in Fund Raising Leadership (CFRL) from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

In his role, he assists with donor management, marketing, volunteer engagement, Board of Director communication, and other various development-related tasks.