IRVINGTON COUNSELING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Irvington Counseling Collective’s Board of Directors serve an essential function of support in our organization’s mission. We appreciate each of them greatly, and all of the work they do to help advance access to equitable mental health support in Indiana. If you are interested in joining our Board, please apply at the link below!
Member of the Board of Directors
Members of the Board of Directors utilize their lived experience to provide insight in Irvington Counseling Collective's growth and development. Members support community engagement efforts and build a network of mutually beneficial resources for the organization, as well as:
Provide insight as it relates to organizational, programmatic and/or staff related development.
Act as voting board member on issues pertaining to staff development, annual and quarterly financial reports, and other necessary oversights.
Champion the organization within the community: sharing the mission and vision of Irvington Counseling Collective.
Commit to attending the majority of board meetings at a rate of no less than 75% per calendar year
Volunteer to serve as board meeting facilitator and secretary on a rolling basis, ensuring that every member of the board contributes and participates equally in the non-hierarchical model of board governance
We seek applicants to the Board of Directors who share a lens of decolonization of mental health and professional environments, by way of centering the voices and lived experience of those who have been historically underrepresented in organizational design of nonprofit structures. As such, we work to center the leadership of marginalized voices from impacted communities. We prioritize collaborative, transparent and non-hierarchical models of decision making processes. LGBTQIP+, Black, Indigenous and People of Color/Culture and those who live with a disability are encouraged to apply.
ERIN CARTWRIGHT, (she/her), Board Member
Erin is a dynamic leader working at the intersection of technology and food justice. She currently serves as eCommerce Manager at Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana where she is spearheading the development of custom eCommerce software, which will enable Gleaners to expand access and Choice (ability for neighbors to choose the food they receive) in the Drive Thru Food Pantry, Gleaners2Go curbside pickup program, and other hunger relief programs.
Erin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Peace Studies from Manchester University and an MBA in Global, Social, and Sustainable Enterprise from Colorado State University. Her diverse professional background spans hunger relief, community development, zero-waste education, sustainability, software development, and entrepreneurship. She is deeply committed to social justice and is driven by a passion for leveraging software and technology to reform systems, create meaningful social change, and uplift communities.
After several years living in other states, Erin is happy to be back in her hometown of Indianapolis. In her free time she enjoys crocheting, reading novels, and spending time at the park with her dog, Penny. Having witnessed firsthand the transformative power of affordable mental health services for both individuals and their communities, Erin is excited and honored to contribute her skills and lived experiences to support the mission and vision of Irvington Counseling Collective.
LaShatá GRAYSON, (she/her), Board Member
Meet LaShatá M. Grayson, educational consultant, wellness coach, and thought leader for millennials today with a passion for helping multifaceted individuals become their best selves.
LaShatá has a proven track record of changing systems, behaviors, and elevating leaders. She speaks to over 10,000+ college students annually on wellness, leadership, diversity, and inclusion.
Her experience ranges from working with learners with disabilities to being a change agent in higher education, being a dominant consultant and recruitment trainer in educational technology, and owning a wellness agency.
RACHAEL CARMICHAEL, (she/her), Board Member
Rachael Carmichael (she/her/hers) is a real estate professional in the greater Indianapolis area, an adjunct professor, a wife and mother of two wonderful children. Originally from South Haven, MI, she moved to Indiana to pursue her undergraduate degree from Anderson University. After graduating from college in 2012, she relocated to the Bay Area and worked as a director of a nonprofit fundraising organization. In 2016, Rachael received her graduate degree in Social Impact from Claremont Lincoln University in 2016.
During this time she deepened her passion for education and nonprofit work through careers in higher education and program development with international NGOs. This work focused on providing tailored programs for vulnerable populations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central America, including but not limited to the implementation of insect micro-farming and a young women's empowerment camp.
She has since shifted her focus more locally both in her career as a Realtor and through her outreach work. She desires to support local organizations with an emphasis on equity (especially in the housing space), education, and community impact. In addition to serving on the board of ICC, Rachael also serves as the Vice Chair of the board of The Nature School. A passion for access to high quality mental health and community resources led her to Irvington Counseling Collective. As an Indianapolis resident, she recognized the profound impact that this organization does and will continue to have on the community.
SARA WHITMER, (she/they), Board Member
Sara Whitmer (she/they) is a community resource connecter and nonprofit professional. A loyal and long time Eastsider, Sara lives in the Bosart-Brown neighborhood with her spouse and dogs. Sara and her spouse have two young adult daughters who also live in the Indianapolis area and still bring lots of joy to their lives.
Sara has a Master's degree in education from Indiana University, and has worked in higher ed, nonprofits, and logistics, among other fields. She is currently the Donation and Volunteer Manager for the Indianapolis location of I Support the Girls, a global NGO that provides bras, undies, and menstrual hygiene items to people in need. Sara has also worked in the communities of Indianapolis for many years doing street outreach and substance use harm reduction, and currently enjoys focusing her community work on connecting various local resources with the people and orgs who can benefit from them.
Sara also maintains a part-time career as a professional Tarot reader, and loves the unique and often healing experiences that come along with this work. She has a deep appreciation for people's stories, and relishes the opportunity to empower and encourage someone to live their best, most authentic life. She is passionately committed to the practices of mutual aid and decolonization, and is excited to serve an organization like ICC in their work to apply these concepts to the field of mental healthcare.
DEZ PETERSON, (they/them), Board Member
Dezna is a black transmasculine non-binary individual with a passion for helping our local BIPOC & Trans/Non-binary communities. They currently serve as an STI/HIV tester for BU Wellness Network & are working on programming that gives resources to Non-Binary & Trans individuals in the area.
They are excited to be a part of this board because they feel Irvington Counseling Collective’s mission very much aligns with their passions & they see the efforts & strives being made to help people like them.
TAYLOR HARRINGTON, (she/her), Board Member
Taylor is a lifelong Irvingtonian with a passion for amplifying the voices of marginalized people, especially women of color. Her current career focus is Mothering two small humans, but prior to this endeavor she was a Psychiatric Nurse for nearly a decade and hopes to return to the field in the future. In her free time she enjoys spending time outside with her family and daydreaming about a future New England homestead.
WENDY ARNOLD, (she/her), Board Member
Wendy is an experienced social worker who is person centered, strengths based, empowerment focused, and a social justice advocate. She received her Master of Social Work degree from Indiana University and has worked as a therapist and counselor for over 15 years in mostly non-profit organizations. She is a past president of the IU School of Social Work Alumni Association.
Wendy is an avid reader, appreciates time in nature, has a semi-regular meditation practice, enjoys new experiences and spending quality time with the good people and animals in her life. She feels honored to support the important mission, vision, and principles of Irvington Counseling Collective as a board member.