Braylon Myers
Braylon@elevateindy.org
Interim Pipeline Manager
Arsenal Tech High School, Harshman Middle School, & Theodore Potter School 74

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.

Since May 2019, Braylon has served students at  Arsenal Tech High School, Harshman Middle School, and Theodore Potter School 74 as a Teacher-Mentor and pipeline lead.

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

Anyea D. Gooch
Anyea@elevateindy.org
Teach-Mentor

Ms. Anyea D. Gooch She is a new
Teacher-Mentor at Elevate Indianapolis. As a native of Indianapolis, IN, Anya retum to Indianapolis from Vincennes University where she served as a Student Success Coordinator. She comes with a heart for came back li finish what I started people and the energy to push them forward. After graduating from Ball State University where she received her Bachelors in Advertising, she worked as a Program Director with AYS, Inc. AYS, Inc. is a non-profit that allowed her to continue her passion for elevating students. Anvea is excited about leveraging her knowledge to help our students with integnity, empathy, and a smile on her face.

Mandy Schumerth
Mandy@elevateindy.org
Teacher-Mentor, Arsenal Tech High School & Harshman Middle School
Mentoring Program Lead

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).

Daniel Jones
Daniel@elevateindy.org
Teacher-Mentor
Arsenal Tech 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 served on our Westside pipeline as a Teacher-Mentor at Matchbook Learning Community in Haughville and George Washington High School and starting the 2023-2024 school year is now at Arsenal Tech High School as a Teacher-Mentor.

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’s married and is passionate about photography, track and field, and teaching and learning.

Kara Simmons
Kara@elevateindy.org
Teacher-Mentor

Ms. Kara Simmons has served her home community of Indianapolis throughout her career to helping develop youth, beginning with Elevate Indy in October 2019. As a Teacher-Mentor, Kara serves as George Washington High School pipeline.

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 in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Jiàle Ritter
jiale@elevateindy.org
Associate Teacher-Mentor

• Jiàle recently graduated from Ball State University with a B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Management.  He hopes to make a difference in the lives of others. He enjoys exploring the world, hanging with friends and family, trying new things, listening to music, and playing video games.  While in Muncie, Jiàle worked at the Boys & Girls Club and made some wonderful connections with the kids.In his role with Elevate, he will be learning the ins and outs of what it means to be a Teacher-Mentor as he learns directly alongside seasoned Elevate Teacher-Mentors how to build long-term,life-changing relationships with Indianapolis urban youth.

Jonathan Rice
Jonathan@elevateindy.org
Teacher-Mentor

• Jonathan is a servant leader born & raised in Indianapolis, IN. He is a graduate of Pike High School & a proud alumna of Indiana State University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in African-American Studies with a Minor in Sociology. His extensive history in nonprofit work paired with his youthful spirit has led him to join the Elevate Team. He looks forward to hitting the ground running with the team & making an impact with the urban youth community.

  In his role he will serve the George Washington High School pipeline as a Teacher-Mentor investing in students and co-teaching various Elevate courses.

Joshua Mendoza
Joshua@elevateindy.org
Teacher-Mentor
Interim Pipeline Manager, Purdue Poly High School
Sports & Adventure Program Coordinator

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 Interim Pipeline Manager for Purdue Poly High School and coordinates 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 Business with a focus on Communication Studies with an expected graduation date 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.

Neonna Witty, Elevate Alumni Class of 2019
Neonna@elevateindy.org
Associate Teacher-Mentor

Ms. Neonna is an Indianapolis native and attended Arsenal Tech High School and is also an Elevate Indy alumna and former intern. She graduated from Oakland City University in the Spring of 2023 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications Journalism. Neonna gained experience with youth through Elevate and project transformation. She values family and friendship. In her spare time she enjoys movies, music, and spending with family and friends. In her role at Elevate she will be serving Purdue Poly High School as an Associate Teacher-Mentor and co-teaching classes and helping lead the Elevate Club at PPHS.

Amanda was born and raised in Alliance Nebraska. She spent most of her childhood traveling back and forth to Mexico making her both fluent in Spanish and English. She started working with youth groups at the young age of 15 and has since developed a passion for teaching and mentoring. Together with her family, they moved to Indianapolis in 2016. She started working at Elevate Indy as a Teacher-Mentor and pipeline lead at Arsenal Tech High School in October 2018. In August 2022, after a year-long sabbatical, she’s back on the Elevate team as the New Pipeline Liaison, first working with Purdue Poly High School and now Shortridge High School.

As a mother of two, she enjoys going on family hiking trips and camping. Together with her husband Abraham, they serve as Lead Pastors of Esperanza Viva Centro Familiar in the Garfield Park neighborhood of Indianapolis.

Theo Gilmore
theo@elevateindy.org
Teacher-Mentor

• Theo was born and raised in Demopolis, AL. He attended Demopolis High School before moving to Indy.  Theo attended Ivy Tech Community College where he obtained his AS in Human Services. He later attended Purdue University Global where he obtained his BS in Human Services with a focus in Youth/Family Services & Administration.  

  He is passionate about family and helping others. Theo has 10+ years of experience working with youth. He currently resides in Greenwood, IN. In his spare time, Theo enjoys working out, listening to music and attending sporting events.  

  In his role with Elevate Teeo is the pipeline lead and Teacher-Mentor at Shortridge High School.

Kari Ross
Kari@elevateindy.org
In-School Program Support

Kari grew up in a farm-town in Illinois, but being a city girl at heart she ran to Indianapolis with her best friend at the first opportunity. Kari is a single mom of two and has been a foster parent for over eight years. She has spent more than 30 years working in early childhood education and development and is a strong advocate for children and youth. More recently, her family has picked up martial arts at Impact Martial Arts where they are all on track to achieve 1st Degree Black Belts by early 2024. Kari’s daughter is quite proud to outrank her until then.

Kari comes to Elevate through a long-standing work history with multiple members of the Elevate team and is eager to grow with the program. In her role she supports the In-School program through lesson uploading, roster tracking, and other various tasks that support our In-School Program Manager.

Kaitlyn Akin
Pathways to Purpose Program Coordinator 

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.

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, cultivating like-minded partnerships to keep Elevate Indy as a youth-centered organization.

Aaron was born and raised in northern Indiana, and Aaron, Carrie, and their four children have lived in the Indianapolis area for over 20 years. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Indiana Wesleyan University, a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies from Moody Seminary, and a Tobias Fellow Program of Indiana University Kelly School of Business. Aaron is the current City Coordinator for the Indianapolis DVULI cohort.

Tina Rhoden-Lewellyn
Tina@elevateindy.org
Operations Manager

Tina has served the non-profit sector for over 30 year, primarily with youth prevention & intervention programs. She holds a Bachlor’s degree from Indiana University in General Studies with a Social Seience Concentration. She will graduate with her Master of Organizational Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan in the winter of 2023. She has served as Executive Director, Program Manager, Quality and Compliance Director and Center Director for organizations such as the U.S. Dream Academy, Lutherwood. Community Health Network, Damar, Ben’s Ranch and the Shelby County Youth Center. She believes that children and families thrive through Faith, Opportunities and Relationships and is excited to join the Elevate Indy Team. Tina has 2 adult children, 2 grandchildren, and lives on a small horse farm. She is also guardian for her adult cousin, who lives independentlv in the community. She loves all types of music, dance and watching young people find their passions/purpose.

Adam Johnson
Adam@elevateindy.org
Chief Program Officer

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

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 currently an Indiana University Tobias Leadership Fellow.

In his work with Elevate, Adam builds and stewards long-term, life-changing relationships with community partners, partner organizations, with team members, students and alumni. In his role as the Chief Program Officer, he provides direct leadership and guidance to all of Elevate’s four program areas, in-school, mentoring, sports & adventure, and pathways to purpose. 

Jackson Gutierrez
Jackson@elevateindy.org
Community Engagement Manager

Jackson Gutierrez is an Indianapolis Near Eastside resident, originally from Los Angeles. 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 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 lifelong 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 manages all things Community Engagement related from assisting with donor management,  managing the Elevate marketing team, overseeing and implementing meaningful volunteer opportunities for both individuals and corporate partners, Board of Director communication, and assisting with other various development-related tasks.

Kristine Knecht
Kris@elevateindy.org
Engagement Associate

Kris is a Hoosier native, born and raised in Ft Wayne and settled in the Indianapolis area for 35
years. Upon retiring from a 39-year accounting and finance career in January 2022, Kris knew she wanted to continue to add value to organizations through part-time work and volunteering, but with a non-profit focus. 

Kris is a CPA (inactive), with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of St. Francis. In her spare time when she is not playing with her grandchildren, you may find her hiking, biking, practicing yoga, reading, gardening, or volunteering at Second Helpings. In her role with Elevate, she assists the Community Engagement Team and Treasurer with various development and grant-related tasks.

Mariana serves Elevate part-time as the Organization Support Associate. She is an Indianapolis native and a graduate of Arsenal Tech High School. She has interned at Elevate and is also an alumni of the program. Mariana is currently attending the University of Indianapolis, majoring in elementary education with a minor in child & youth programming and SPED.

She has a passion for youth and education, enjoys being with her family and interacting with the schools as much as she can. She loves cats, but comes from a family with 5 dogs. In her role with Elevate she supports the CEO & Community Engagement Manager with various administrative tasks ranging from graphic design marketing to calendar management. Her long term goals are to work full time at Elevate as a Teacher-Mentor.