About Us

We are proud of the team that we have assembled. Each of us has a unique journey that has led us to serve our communities through the Community Foundation. Some of us are native to the area, and some of us have moved here and have come to love northern Indiana. Each of us, though, has a passion for our communities and has a unique background and skill set to contribute. When we put all of that together, and when we have such strong and generous support from all of you, we can do amazing things.

Meet the Board

The Northern Indiana Community Foundation is governed by a volunteer board. Each of our three counties has its own service committee, and several of these county board members also volunteer on the NICF board. Additionally, we have a finance committee and an executive committee.

Who We Are

We are the Northern Indiana Community Foundation (NICF), consisting of Starke, Fulton, and Miami County Community Foundations—three of ninety-two throughout Indiana. This incredible network is inspiring the formation of other community foundations across the country. Indiana is at the forefront of the community foundation world and is setting the stage by exemplifying the incredible work that these organizations do.

Corinne Becknell Lucas

Executive Director

Phone: 574.223.2229

Corinne Becknell Lucas was the very first employee of the Starke County Community Foundation. Previously, she had worked as the Office Manager at Lucas Law Office, Media Producer for Becknell and Lucas Media, and other positions in music and management.

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Since joining the Community Foundation, she has served many roles—Administrative Assistant, Program/Scholarship Coordinator, Program/Communication Director, Associate Director, and finally the Executive Director of the NICF. She has experience in both the local and the administrative levels of the Community Foundation. She and her husband, Marty Lucas, are professional musicians and make up the group “Return to Normal.” Corinne enjoys entertaining guests at her home, knitting, playing and discussing music and art, and celebrating life with her family.

Jessica Mikel has been with the Northern Indiana Community Foundation since 2011 and serves as Director of Operations. In this role, she helps support the Foundation’s mission by ensuring its internal operations and systems function smoothly and responsibly in service of the communities it serves.

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Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Grace College. She is especially motivated by working with the people the Foundation serves and by being part of an organization that creates lasting, positive impact across the region.

Outside of work, Jessica enjoys reading, board games, creative projects, traveling, cultivating beautiful garden spaces, and spending time with family and friends.

Jessica Mikel

Director of Operations

Phone: 574.223.2234

Brian Johnson

Director of Philanthropy

Fulton County Director of Development

Phone: 574.224.3223

Brian Johnson joined the Community Foundation in 2007 as the Director of Development in Fulton County. Brian holds his associate degree in automotive technology from Indian Hills Community College, and he completed the business management program through Indiana Wesleyan University.

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Before joining the NICF, Brian worked as the Department Supervisor/Machinist at Gaerte Engines. In his spare time, he enjoys photography, gardening, and hunting. He is also involved with music and youth programs at First Baptist Church in Rochester, and he coaches youth baseball. He and his wife, Rhonda, have two sons, Aaron and Levi.

Jacque Ryan started as the Director of Development for the Starke County Community Foundation in the spring of 2021. She enjoys spending time in nature and frequenting local businesses as often as she can.
She grew up in Starke County and after graduating from Ball State University in 2017, she returned to work as a reporter at Kankakee Valley Broadcasting and served as editor of The Starke County Leader newspaper, establishing multiple community connections.

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Jacque is no stranger to work at the Community Foundation as she has volunteered to be in ventures alongside the Foundation, which included involvement with the Constellation of Starke Executive Committee in the Regional Stellar Communities effort in 2019, as well as serving the planning committee for The Hive Giving Circle.

Jacque Ryan

Starke County Director of Development

Phone: 574.772.3665

Hannah Bahney

Program Director

Phone: 574.223.2225

Hannah Bahney graduated from Rochester High School and continued her education at IU Bloomington. She graduated with a degree in journalism and worked at IUPUI Honors College until moving back north.

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Hannah is married to a Miami County native and has three children. She loves to garden, camp, read, and be with her family.

Cheryl Broyles joined the Northern Indiana Community Foundation as the Miami County Director of Development in 2024, bringing more than 20 years of experience in finance. Born and raised in Peru, Cheryl has deep roots in the community she serves. As she approaches two years with NICF, her work continues to focus on building strong relationships, supporting local philanthropy, and educating the public about the role and impact of the Community Foundation across Miami County.

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Outside of work, Cheryl and her husband Steve enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling the countryside, attending concerts, dancing, and bike riding.

Cheryl Broyles

Miami County Director of Development

Phone: 765.475.2859

Christine Walsh

Administrative Assistant

Phone: 574.223.2227

Christine Walsh joined the Community Foundation in 2026 as their administrative assistant. She previously spent more than 20 years as an executive legal assistant at a New York City law firm before returning to Rochester in 2018.

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Since moving back, Christine has volunteered with numerous Fulton County organizations and served as Promotions Director for the Rochester Downtown Partnership. She is also the founder of Full Tilt Arts, an organization that creates and promotes public art and has created several murals in Downtown Rochester. When she’s not working, Christine loves creating art, taking photos, and reading nonfiction.  She enjoys learning new things and is proud to make a difference in the place she calls home.

Jillian Smith joined the NICF in March 2025 after spending nearly seven years with the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce, where she worked closely with local businesses and community initiatives. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Business Administration from Grace College.

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As part of the NICF team, Jillian is passionate about building relationships and supporting the foundation’s mission. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, walking, playing games, and cheering on the Cincinnati Reds. She and her husband, TJ, live in Rochester with their two sons.

Jillian Smith

Marketing Associate

Phone: 574.223.2228