Leadership

CEO, Founder and President

Nancy Elbert

Experienced entrepreneurial professional with over 30 years in corporate and nonprofit recruiting, investment properties and marketing development. Nancy set out to make a difference in the teenage mental health crisis when she walked the journey with family members a few years ago.  Understanding the complexities of the mental health industry, she was committed to forming an organization with integrity, compassion, and professionalism, surrounding herself with experts in the medical, mental health, and animal therapy fields. She has named the nonprofit in honor of her brother, Chris, who unexpectedly passed away at the age of 55 and has been her inspiration for this endeavor.  Nancy is a Board Member at University High School of Indiana.

Treasurer

Liz Coit

Liz Coit, Vice President and Treasurer- Nonprofit organizer and experienced leader of innovation, change, and growth. Liz has over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit, education, and financial services sectors, and currently serves as the founding Executive Director of the Walker Center for Applied Ethics at Marian University. She is the former Executive Director of Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding, Inc., and the former founding executive director of a financial and research organization at Indiana State University. Liz has devoted most of her career and personal life to serving others, either as an organizational change agent and growth focused leader, or through her volunteerism.  She currently serves as President of the board of the Greater Swiss Mountain Club of America and as a director on the board of ILADD (Independent Living for Adults with Developmental Disabilities). Liz is also an experienced therapy dog trainer and is an AKC CGC (American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen) evaluator. 

Board Member

Joanna Kahl, phd

Joanna Kahl, PhD- Clinical Program Leader, Roche Diagnostics.  Joanna earned her Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Purdue University and her Doctorate degree in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois.  She has served in many roles at Roche Diagnostics since 2004, and her current position is a global leader in CPS Medical and Scientific Affairs with Roche Diagnostics. Joanna has dedicated over ten years to fostering bulldogs with Indiana Bulldog Rescue, and she realizes the value of furry friends in healthy human lives.

Board Member

Jessica Neidlinger, ms,lmhc

Jessica Neidlinger, MS, LMHC- Psychotherapist, Clinical Director, and Owner of The Palms, Counseling Center. Jessica is a licensed mental health counselor, currently in private practice in the Indianapolis area. She has a broad range of clinical experience working with adolescents and adults dealing with anxiety disorders, depression, addiction, trauma and PTSD, bipolar disorder, and family and relationship issues. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including an inpatient dual diagnosis mental health facility as a clinical director, hospital psychiatric unit, and private practice. She is a lifelong lover of all animals and believes in promoting the human-animal interaction to assist in therapeutic healing and development.

Vice President and Secretary

Kay Pashos

Kay Pashos- Attorney with over 20 years of experience in the areas of energy and utilities law. As a partner at Ice Miller LLP, Kay advises and represents utility companies before state and federal regulatory agencies in a variety of cases. She has served as both an in-house lawyer (for Cinergy, PSI Energy, and Alliant Energy) and an outside lawyer, including serving as General Counsel for Cinergy's Regulated Businesses, and serving as Deputy General Counsel for Alliant Energy. She is actively involved in and supports several community organizations including the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Make-A-Wish (Indiana chapter), United Way of Central Indiana, Damar Services, Young Voices of Indianapolis, and DePauw University.

Board Member

AnneMarie suarez-davis

AnneMarie Suarez-Davis- Executive Director of the Koa Fund, which equips youth to be valiant with support and grant funding for purpose-aligned nonprofits. AnneMarie is a former marketing executive with 19 years of experience in consumer products marketing at the Kellogg Company.

Board Member

Diane lorant, md

Diane Lorant, MD- Neonatologist at Riley Hospital for Children and Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at IU School of Medicine. Dr. Lorant has an interest in medical education and serves as the Director of the Clinical Guidelines Committee. Dr. Lorant is also the proud owner of Stone Farm and the amazing alpacas that are part of The Chris Center’s programs. 

Chief Strategy Officer

Sandra Moreira, md, mba

Sandra Moreira, MD, MBA Chief Strategy Officer - Founding Team Member and Inaugural Board Member, Board-certified pediatrician, innovative nonprofit strategist, and passionate child advocate. Dr. Moreira is a Duke-trained pediatrician with 18 years of clinical experience in pediatric urgent and emergent care. Throughout her career as a pediatrician and her personal journey as a parent, she has committed herself to advocating for the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of children. Dr. Moreira recently went back to school to earn her MBA at the IU Kelley School of Business, and she is using the combination of her business skills and clinical expertise in her new role as Chief Strategy Officer at The Chris Center. She is honored and excited to be involved in the development of The Chris Center’s unique teen wellness programs. Dr. Moreira serves on the Board of Directors for Indiana Family to Family and is also a member of the Board of Trustees at University of High School of Indiana. 

Chief Marketing and Development Officer

Adele smith

Adele Smith, Marketing and Development Officer, Founding Team Member and Inaugural Board Member- Adele has more than a decade of experience volunteering in the nonprofit world using her marketing talents to raise funds. Before joining The Chris Center, Adele primarily helped with marketing and fundraising to advance the cause for CASA of South-Central Indiana and Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding, Inc. As a devoted parent of a child living with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Cerebral Palsy, Adele is passionate about advocacy and helping children of all abilities reach their potential and have a fulfilling life. Prior to parenthood, she worked as a marketing professional at Ernst and Young and also at Pfizer in the U.K.