Firefly Children and Family Alliance’s LEADERSHIP TEAM

Tim Ardillo, CFRE, brings to Firefly Children and Family Alliance a breadth of fundraising experience across a variety of nonprofit sectors. With a development and communications career that spans more than 25 years, Tim has experience in fundraising efforts ranging from annual fund development, major and planned giving, and capital campaigns. Prior to joining Firefly in 2023, Tim served as a Senior Consultant with Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates (JGA) for more than eight years. While at JGA, Tim guided clients through feasibility studies, development audits and assessments, campaign-specific and strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation, executive search guidance; and board and staff training/facilitation. Tim also served as Director of Institutional Advancement for the Indianapolis Zoo where he directed the successful completion of a more than $34 million capital campaign and the launch of a $10 million endowment campaign.

Tim’s past experience also includes leading successful campaigns and major gift work while serving as the Development Director for the Arc of Indiana, a state-wide association that advocates on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities, and in a similar role for the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana. As Regional Campaign Director and then Deputy Executive Director of the Delta Sigma Phi National Headquarters, Tim was able to garner philanthropic support from alumni for a $5.5 million capital campaign through personal cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors. An active member of Indiana’s philanthropic community, Tim volunteers his time with the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Indiana Chapter having served as president, past president, governance chairman, and program chair. He also serves as the secretary for The District Theatre board of directors and is a member of the development committee.

Tim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Marketing from the University of Louisiana, Monroe and earned the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation in 2005.

As Vice President of Residential Services, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor, Jenna oversees two Emergency Shelter Care facilities in Indianapolis. Bringing over 10 years of experience, Jenna’s focus is ensuring the youth in our shelters have the best care and are safe. Jenna has a unique perspective on the executive team. She has been provided opportunities to grow within the agency, always putting the mission & vision into practice regardless her role.

Prior to her work at Firefly, Jenna worked with youth and adults facilitating outpatient substance abuse treatment in Indianapolis. She earned a BA in Sociology and an MSW from Indiana University. Jenna came to Firefly as a direct care staff at the Courage Center and has worked in the residential programs for 7 years. She is passionate about providing trauma informed care to the youth and is a Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Trainer for the programs.

She resides in Indianapolis after growing up in Bloomington. When she is not working she loves to go swimming, spend time with her family, and be outdoors.

Brooke graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Social Work in 2004. While working with families in the field, she completed her Master of Social Work in 2008. In 2013, Brooke assumed her current position as the Vice President of Foster Care, Adoption and Older Youth Services at Firefly. She oversees programming that includes a licensed foster care program, adoption recruitment services, private adoption home studies, and services to help older youth transition successfully out of the foster care system into adulthood. She works closely with community partners and organizations to provide exceptional service, influence change, and improve experiences for individuals, children and families. She is a Trust Based Relational Intervention practitioner, is trained in Theraplay techniques, and has completed CASE’s Training in Adoption Competency.

Lori assumed the role of Vice President of Human Resources at Firefly Children and Family Alliance when Children’s Bureau and Families First merged in April, 2021. Prior to the merger, she worked at Families First for eight years as the Director of Human Resources. Lori worked with both organizations throughout the merger process to ensure a smooth transition for all employees.

With over 20 years Human Resource experience and certifications in both SHRM-SCP and SPHR, Lori leads the Firefly team to recruit and retain diverse, high-quality staff in an inclusive environment. She has broad-based experience in business management and strategy, workforce planning and employment, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and risk management.

As an employee at Firefly, Lori is proud to support the individuals who work tirelessly to help build stronger families and communities by providing the resources necessary to achieve a positive and lasting change. Lori holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Indiana University and is the mother of three children, Grammy to four, and lives in Noblesville with her husband of 37 years.

Kevin assumed the position of Vice President of Information Systems at Children’s Bureau in 2018. He is committed to creating an environment of continual improvement and service excellence through strategic leadership with a focus on security, service and efficiency.

Over the past four years, he has transformed information systems practices at Firefly Children and Family Alliance, including; cyber security, communications, project management, vendor management, business continuity planning, and performance metrics. In 2021 he managed the merger of IT systems between Families First and Children’s Bureau and more recently, the migration of IT systems to a new company domain.

Kevin has more than 15 years of experience in Information Technology leadership. Prior to assuming his role at Firefly Children and Family Alliance in 2018, Kevin served as the IT Manager for Salin Bank and Trust. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computing, a Master’s degree in Leadership and Education and holds multiple leadership certificates from the College of National Leadership and ADVISA Leadership Academy.

Kevin has a passion for sports, music, and education. He has served on multiple school, church and community boards and currently serves on the Avon Community Swim Team Board. In 2010 he married his wife in England, moved to the USA in 2013, and enjoys an active life as a father of two children.

With more than 25 years in social work and human services, Jill has greatly impacted the lives of children and families, along with Indiana’s Child Welfare System. She began her career providing services to clients involved in the criminal justice system. After earning her MSW from Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis in 1996, she expanded her knowledge in both mental health and child welfare services. She spent a large part of her career leading teams providing intervention services to families involved with the Department of Child Services.

Since joining Firefly Children and Family Alliance, Jill has become an expert in Prevention Services. She manages the Community Partners for Child Safety program at Firefly and the sizeable budget that accompanies it. She has also participated on the Strategic Framework Committee; she is the implementation partner for the Family Resource Centers in the state; participates in Thriving Families Safer Children project, and has recently begin serving on the Prevention Mindset Institute for the state of Indiana. She is an LCSW who understands the need for implementation of best practice and evidence-based models across services, with a focus on prevention. She is skilled at financial solvency and budgeting.

Jill served in multiple leadership roles before joining the executive team in 2018. She has been married to her husband, Brian, for 15 years and has a 13-year old son, Dane. She likes to travel, plan travel, running, and gardening.

Mark is an accounting professional with over twenty-five years of experience; fifteen of those with Firefly Children and Family Alliance. He has worked in high-level positions in government and non-profit organizations. Mark is highly skilled in financial management, strategy, internal controls, compliance, and implementing workflows and processes to create operational efficiency. Since joining the agency, Mark has reformed and improved the accounting process and built a strong team. Additionally, he has worked to bring data analytics and project management methods to the agency and introduced KPI dashboards for agency financial performance metrics.

Mark has transformed the agency's accounts receivable process from a significant weakness to a strength that has helped the agency become financially stable. He has managed the financial growth of the agency from 16 million per year to over 40 million. Mark has substantial experience in all aspects of the business, including economic development, managing federal grants, and business development from his time in government. Mark holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University and an MBA with an accounting concentration from the University of Southern Indiana Romain School of Business. He has also completed the ADVISA Leadership Academy.

Mark was chosen one of Indianapolis Business Journals CFO of the Year honorees for the not-for-profit category in 2022. Mark and his wife have been married for 26 years and have three children. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, boating, and flying drones.

Aaron McBride, MPA, is dedicated to the development of improved quality of life for Central Indiana families. For over 10 years, Aaron has committed himself to advancing developmental opportunities for youth and families through work in social welfare and the nonprofit sector. As VP of Outpatient and Survivor Advocacy Services, Aaron oversees mental health counseling as well as advocacy programming for survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

Aaron began his professional journey with a BSW from Ball State University and transitioned into a role as a case manager with the Indiana Department of Child Services. He then focused on youth development for first generation scholars in the Philippines while working with the United States Peace Corps. More recently, Aaron has led the operations of multiple nonprofits that focused on community organizing, as well as mental health and juvenile justice services. He looks to apply this experience with the talented outpatient team to ensure every individual has access to high quality care.

Aaron enjoys traveling with his wife, Erica, and spending his free time with friends and family. He is an avid golfer that looks for any excuse to spend time on the course with friends and new acquaintances. He volunteers his time through civic engagement as a member of the Indianapolis Board of Zoning Appeals, as well as a Treasurer for House District 32.

Ericka is an experienced nonprofit executive who has managed innovative programs serving children and families for more than 20 years. She has enhanced Firefly Children and Family Alliance’s performance and quality improvement practices and oversees the agency’s ongoing risk management processes and accreditations. Ericka also played a key role in the programming and implementation of the agency-wide Electronic Health Record management system. Ericka has a wide range of experience working in and supervising a multitude of child welfare programs, both in a community mental health center and in community-based programs. She has authored multiple responses to requests for proposals for various services within the State of Indiana Family and Social Services Administration and Department of Child Services and has assisted in the development of new programming based upon funding provided through the awarded requests for proposals for new services. Ericka has participated in the identification of agency strategic initiatives and worked with other agency executives to make progress toward achieving those identified initiatives. She holds a Master of Arts in Community Counseling from John Carrol University and a Bachelor of Science from Ohio University. Ericka is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

Abby is an experienced leader who has worked within the nonprofit sector for over 20 years. As Chief Clinical Officer, Abby supports program development and agency vision throughout the Firefly teams by creating opportunities for program innovation and remaining focused on client impact. Abby is passionate about fostering a team culture that leads to programmatic growth, leads to financial solvency and about creating leadership opportunities for rising talent within the organization.

Most recently, she spent 6 years providing oversight to two children’s shelter programs followed by 2 years overseeing community based programs for families and young adults. Much of this was achieved through the implementation of effective clinical models, with a particular focus on the Teaching Family model in the programs. In 2022, Abby was recognized as the Montrose Wolf Distinguished Contributions Award by the Teaching Family Association. Abby currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Teaching Family Association.

She has earned a Masters degree in social work from Indiana University, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Indiana. She resides in Indianapolis. When she is not working Abby is spending time with her family, her son and her doodle.

As Vice President of Family Preservation and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Claire works across various teams and initiatives to maximize family intervention and preservation. Bringing over 10 years of experience, Claire focuses on developing and expanding strategies through program innovation and evidence-based practice implementation. Claire has a unique perspective on the executive team as she has served as both a home-based therapist and home-based director for Firefly programming. She has been provided opportunities to grow within the agency, always putting the mission and vision into practice regardless of the roles she has had.

Prior to her work at Firefly, Claire worked with diverse populations on multidisciplinary teams in San Antonio, Texas and Boston, Massachusetts. She earned a BS in Child Development and Family Studies and a BA in Sociology from Purdue University. She earned an MSW from Simmons University with a certificate in Urban Leadership. Claire is passionate about providing clinical leadership and innovation to the programs she oversees.

She resides in Indianapolis, where she was born and raised. When she is not working she loves to explore all parts of the world, and is a self-proclaimed foodie.

Michelle is a seasoned Executive Administrator and Diversity Professional whose ability to synthesize information into actionable strategies is exceptional. For over 20 years, Michelle has worked with people during some of the most formative and stressful seasons of life. Beginning as a social worker with at-risk populations; serving as a pastor walking through life’s transitions; working as an advisor/mentor to undergraduate college students (Anderson University); coaching and facilitating diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings; mediating difficult conversations around difference; and as a Dean at a graduate seminary (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary). Michelle brings strong administrative skills, proven programmatic and policy change success, collaborative leadership, an ethic of care coupled with an ethic of justice, and a solid interpersonal development philosophy that seeks to empower, serve, model, and embrace inclusivity.

As a former social worker, Michelle utilizes systems thinking in planning budgets, allocating resources, and accomplishing administrative tasks. Years of programmatic oversight have taught her to lead and model through the lens of this acronym: OATE (Ownership, Accountability, Transparency, and Empowerment). As a seasoned diversity professional, Michelle values the sacred art of listening and strives to model civility and hospitality. She has demonstrated success in leading organizations through crisis management and organizational change. Under her leadership, Anderson University received the ”Ignite” intercultural integrity award for Mid-West campuses that demonstrated consistent progress towards advancing diversity efforts in 2010. Michelle is a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® through the Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC).

Michelle travels and consults with non-profits, higher education institutions, and faith-based organizations around issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging. She is a prolific communicator and speaks at conferences, retreats, meetings, and workshops on DEI, leadership, soul care, women’s empowerment, and spiritual well-being. Along with oral communication, Michelle is the co-author of The Diversity Playbook: Recommendations and Guidance for Christian Organizations.

Tina Cloer assumed the position of President and CEO of Children’s Bureau in 2013. In 2020 she led the merger of Children’s Bureau and Families First, the longest standing human services agencies in Indiana. At the completion of the merger in 2021, she assumed the position of President and CEO of Children’s Bureau + Families First. Today, she leads a redefined agency that has successfully achieved economies of scale, provides a holistic approach to individual and family wellness, and leverages all its resources to ensure the continuation of quality services. As the leader of a $40 million-dollar nonprofit, she is committed to creating an environment of continual reinvention so that the needs of the client and the community are always at the forefront.

Her own upbringing in a poor, at-risk family fuels her desire to ensure that every child can thrive, and that all families have access to the resources that can support them on their paths to well-being. Tina is an expert in change management and resource management strategy, which has been particularly helpful during the past two years. With over 20 years of nonprofit management experience, she understands the importance of community systems that work together so that individuals and families have full access to every resource needed to achieving self-sustaining lives.

She participates on several advisory committees related to improving the lives of children and families. Her current board service includes IARCA and Charitable Allies. Ms. Cloer holds a M.S. in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University, in addition to earning an undergraduate degree from DePauw University. She is the mother of three young adults, and enjoys an urban lifestyle with her husband of 30 years.