Leadership Team
Aaron Atwell serves The Villages of Indiana as the Chief Financial Officer. Aaron has over 13 years of experience in local and state government specializing in accounting, finance, and strategic development. Before joining the team at The Villages, Aaron was Chief of Staff and Chief Financial Officer for the Indiana Department of Child Services.
During his time at DCS, Aaron was instrumental to the success of efforts to improve the support provided to families and children, including implementing changes to the residential and LCPA rate setting process that allowed for better recruiting and maintaining of staff, a new stipend for unlicensed kinship caregivers, and he worked to support permanency by implementing changes to the states subsidy process.
Aaron holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Franklin College.
Aaron is a life-long Hoosier who grew up in Greenwood, Indiana and lives in Bargersville with his wife and two sons. He enjoys golfing, traveling, and Indiana University athletics.
Brenda has over 25 years of experience in child and family services and currently serves as the Vice President of Program Administration for The Villages of Indiana. In this executive leadership position, Brenda leads the state-wide programming initiatives that include foster care, adoption, kinship care, home and community based services, Healthy Families programming, and other early childhood initiatives. To continue to serve the nearly 10,000 children and families each year, Brenda strategically directs The Villages in operational innovation with the use of technology to enhance practice and quality assurance.
Brenda serves on multiple statewide and national committees including the Indiana Association of Resources and Child Advocacy and Reimagining Foster Care, as well as serves on the Board of Directors for Family Focused Treatment Association.
Brenda holds a Master of Social Work degree from Indiana University where she also serves as an adjunct professor in child welfare policy and practice.
Kelly Cody joined The Villages in July 2020 as a Senior Regional Director for Southern Indiana and was promoted to her new role of Lead Director, Foster Care & Clinical Services in Summer 2022. Kelly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She graduated from Indiana University with a Master’s Degree in Social Work with an emphasis in Child Welfare and earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Sociology from the University of Southern Indiana. Kelly has worked with children since 2007 in residential, school, and outpatient settings. Kelly spends her days with her two children, Max and Mia, and two dogs, Pete and Jake.
Rachel Colclazier joined the Villages in 2001, as a Health Families home visitor. Since then, Rachel has held a variety of roles in Healthy Families, most recently as the Program Director of the Delaware, Hamilton, Hancock, and Henry County programs. In 2024, Rachel became Sr. Director of Prevention and Education overseeing the eleven Villages Healthy Families programs, Children’s Village childcare center and Prevent Child Abuse Indiana. Rachel has worked in the field of early childhood education and prevention for more than twenty years, gaining experience in child development, family relationships, trauma-informed care, case management, and abuse and neglect prevention. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Anderson University, is licensed as an LBSW, and is a certified Community Health Worker. Rachel enjoys traveling with her husband and kids but can most often be found on the sidelines of soccer games or gymnastics meets cheering on one of her four children.
Nancy Gwin joined the Villages team in 2013, as the Assistant Program Director of the M.O.M Project Healthy Families program in Marion County. In 2019 she moved into the role of Senior Director of Early Childhood Initiatives, and in 2022 became the Sr. Director of Prevention and Education overseeing all eight of The Villages Healthy Families programs, Children’s Village child care center, and Prevent Child Abuse Indiana. Nancy has worked in the field of Early Childhood education for more than twenty-five years, gaining experience in child development, trauma-informed care, case management, and abuse and neglect prevention. Nancy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Non-Profit Management from the University of Phoenix. Outside of the office, Nancy enjoys camping and beach vacationing with her husband, and fur baby Madie, and spending time with her adult son (when he permits it).
Beth comes to The Villages as a retired music teacher of 23 years. Beth received her Bachelor of Music Degree from Butler University with a major in vocal music and a minor in piano. She taught with the Avon Community School Corporation for all 23 years as a middle school choir teacher.
In addition to teaching, Beth was Director of Music at Avon Christian Church and retired after 25 years of music ministry leadership. She taught private voice & piano lessons and continues to accompany local groups and soloists.
Beth has been married for 35 years, has a beautiful daughter, and recently gained a terrific son-in-law. She and her husband live in Brownsburg, Indiana where she enjoys playing the piano, following her husband’s competitive Barbershop Quartet, crafting, serving through her church, and traveling around with her 4 pound Yorkie named Ezra.
The transition to her role as an Executive Assistant has allowed Beth the opportunity to continue to help children, and those that serve them, across the state.
Krista Hays joined the Development Team in 2020. Her primary focus is to engage, nurture, and grow community involvement such as through the corporate partnership program. In addition, Krista directs the marketing and communication efforts both internally and externally, oversees all fundraising events, and manages The Villages volunteer program. Krista graduated from Wittenberg University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and has an expansive career in marketing and communications, event planning, and fundraising in both non-profit and corporate sectors. She is a proud and busy mother of three. When time allows Krista enjoys tapping into her creative side through event planning, decorating, cooking, and gardening.
Pam Knight has served as the Senior Regional Director of the Central Indiana Region of The Villages since April of 2019. Pam is a licensed Social Worker who holds a Master of Social Work degree from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Ball State University. Pam has spent the majority of her career working with children and families and worked for the Indiana Department of Child Services for over 18 years prior to joining The Villages. Pam is the mother of one adult daughter and spends much of her time with family and taking her dog on long walks.
Brian Laskey joined The Villages of Indiana in 2021 as the Senior Director of Human Resources, bringing a wealth of experience—from for-profit corporations to impactful non-profit roles at College Mentors for Kids, Inc. Brian has consistently shaped innovative human capital strategies everywhere he has been. His extensive involvement on nonprofit boards statewide mirrors his commitment to community service. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Purdue University and a Master of Nonprofit Management degree from Regis University in Denver, CO, Brian is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Workplace. In 2024, Brian was promoted to his current role of Vice President of Human Resources, as part of our mission of fostering a culture of growth and inclusivity within The Villages. Outside of work, Brian loves traveling, watching movies, and spending time with his wife, son, and hosting exchange students.
Deborah joined The Villages in 2013 as Staff Accountant and is the current Senior Director of Finance. She studied Business Administration and Computer Technology at the University of Indianapolis and IUPUI. Deborah’s commitment to children and families extends beyond her work life at The Villages, she has been a foster parent since 2018 and adopted two boys through foster care.
Deborah is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. She married her wife, Amanda, in 2011 in Washington DC and loves her family time with her wife and their 5 children. Two married and out of the house: Greg (Crystal), Megan (Ryan), and three still at home Bekah, Liam, and Brandon. She also has 3 grandchildren, Sydnie, Maggie, and Tyson.
Amy Sanderson serves as the Senior Director of Quality Assurance and Information. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Indiana University and has over 30 years of experience in child and family services. She has been with the Quality Assurance department since she joined The Villages in 1997. During this time Amy has been instrumental in the development and facilitation of the Performance Quality Improvement Team and, more recently, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team for which she served as facilitator for its first two years. Amy has provided oversight of the Information Technology Department since 2016 and was instrumental in transitioning the organization to a fully Electronic Health Record. Amy also leads the maintenance of accreditation efforts through the Council on Accreditation (COA) to ensure The Villages meets best practice standards and strives for continuous quality improvement. In her free time, Amy enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her husband Mike.
Nicole Schultz has worked for The Villages since 2006. She has worked as a Case Manager, Regional Supervisor, and Director of Admissions prior to her current position. Before working at The Villages, Nicole worked for the Department of Child Services and in residential treatment settings. She has also previously served on the board for Prevent Child Abuse of Vanderburgh County. She holds a Bachelor’s degree with a dual major in Psychology and Criminology and a Master’s in Public Administration from Ball State University. She enjoys traveling, exploring historic places, and spending time with her husband and two children.
Shannon has over 25 years of experience creating and expanding social services for families, most recently as the Executive Vice President of Strategy, Innovation, and Clinical Services at Volunteers of America where she worked for 18 years.
Some recent examples of her work include the following: She developed a comprehensive program serving children with incarcerated parents, their caregivers, and their re-entering parents which received national recognition by Annie E. Casey Family Foundation as a Promising Practice for the positive outcomes for families of color.
She assisted Sesame Street’s® Little Children, Big Challenges™ series with the development of a character with an incarcerated parent and presented with their team at a United States Senate Briefing on the effects of parental incarceration on the lives of children.
She created a unique program in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Child Services serving pregnant women and mothers of newborns and small children affected by substance use disorder, increasing the numbers of babies born without the ill-effects of withdrawal and keeping mothers and babies safely together.
She is a Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Counselor, and received her master’s degree in Social Work from Indiana University. She completed a 2-year non-profit Executive Development Program at the University of Notre Dame, Mendoza School of Business and an Executive Leadership Program from American Express™.
She is a member of the Ball State University Department of Social Work’s Advisory Board, the Healthy Families Indiana Think Tank, and the Indiana Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaboration.
She was a recipient of the Hero of Recovery Award from Mental Health America of Indiana in 2018 and the Community Service Award from Drug Free Marion County in 2013.
She is life-long Hoosier who grew up in rural Indiana and lives in Indianapolis with her husband and teenage son. She enjoys traveling, hiking, and running.
Julie Villarreal is the Senior Regional Director of the Northwest Indiana Region of The Villages. She received her Master in Social Work in 2002 from Indiana University Northwest, with honors. She has worked in Child Welfare in various capacities since 1995. She is licensed in clinical social work. Julie enjoys spending time with family. She has two boys who participate in sports and she loves watching them play. In her spare time, Julie volunteers at a local food pantry and has a passion for working to improve the lives of children. Julie is also the recipient of the Ripple of Hope award for her dedication to youth and families.
Leadership Team
Aaron Atwell serves The Villages of Indiana as the Chief Financial Officer. Aaron has over 13 years of experience in local and state government specializing in accounting, finance, and strategic development. Before joining the team at The Villages, Aaron was Chief of Staff and Chief Financial Officer for the Indiana Department of Child Services.
During his time at DCS, Aaron was instrumental to the success of efforts to improve the support provided to families and children, including implementing changes to the residential and LCPA rate setting process that allowed for better recruiting and maintaining of staff, a new stipend for unlicensed kinship caregivers, and he worked to support permanency by implementing changes to the states subsidy process.
Aaron holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Franklin College.
Aaron is a life-long Hoosier who grew up in Greenwood, Indiana and lives in Bargersville with his wife and two sons. He enjoys golfing, traveling, and Indiana University athletics.
Brenda has over 25 years of experience in child and family services and currently serves as the Vice President of Program Administration for The Villages of Indiana. In this executive leadership position, Brenda leads the state-wide programming initiatives that include foster care, adoption, kinship care, home and community based services, Healthy Families programming, and other early childhood initiatives. To continue to serve the nearly 10,000 children and families each year, Brenda strategically directs The Villages in operational innovation with the use of technology to enhance practice and quality assurance.
Brenda serves on multiple statewide and national committees including the Indiana Association of Resources and Child Advocacy and Reimagining Foster Care, as well as serves on the Board of Directors for Family Focused Treatment Association.
Brenda holds a Master of Social Work degree from Indiana University where she also serves as an adjunct professor in child welfare policy and practice.
Kelly Cody joined The Villages in July 2020 as a Senior Regional Director for Southern Indiana and was promoted to her new role of Lead Director, Foster Care & Clinical Services in Summer 2022. Kelly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She graduated from Indiana University with a Master’s Degree in Social Work with an emphasis in Child Welfare and earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Sociology from the University of Southern Indiana. Kelly has worked with children since 2007 in residential, school, and outpatient settings. Kelly spends her days with her two children, Max and Mia, and two dogs, Pete and Jake.
Rachel Colclazier joined the Villages in 2001, as a Health Families home visitor. Since then, Rachel has held a variety of roles in Healthy Families, most recently as the Program Director of the Delaware, Hamilton, Hancock, and Henry County programs. In 2024, Rachel became Sr. Director of Prevention and Education overseeing the eleven Villages Healthy Families programs, Children’s Village childcare center and Prevent Child Abuse Indiana. Rachel has worked in the field of early childhood education and prevention for more than twenty years, gaining experience in child development, family relationships, trauma-informed care, case management, and abuse and neglect prevention. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Anderson University, is licensed as an LBSW, and is a certified Community Health Worker. Rachel enjoys traveling with her husband and kids but can most often be found on the sidelines of soccer games or gymnastics meets cheering on one of her four children.
Nancy Gwin joined the Villages team in 2013, as the Assistant Program Director of the M.O.M Project Healthy Families program in Marion County. In 2019 she moved into the role of Senior Director of Early Childhood Initiatives, and in 2022 became the Sr. Director of Prevention and Education overseeing all eight of The Villages Healthy Families programs, Children’s Village child care center, and Prevent Child Abuse Indiana. Nancy has worked in the field of Early Childhood education for more than twenty-five years, gaining experience in child development, trauma-informed care, case management, and abuse and neglect prevention. Nancy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Non-Profit Management from the University of Phoenix. Outside of the office, Nancy enjoys camping and beach vacationing with her husband, and fur baby Madie, and spending time with her adult son (when he permits it).
Beth comes to The Villages as a retired music teacher of 23 years. Beth received her Bachelor of Music Degree from Butler University with a major in vocal music and a minor in piano. She taught with the Avon Community School Corporation for all 23 years as a middle school choir teacher.
In addition to teaching, Beth was Director of Music at Avon Christian Church and retired after 25 years of music ministry leadership. She taught private voice & piano lessons and continues to accompany local groups and soloists.
Beth has been married for 35 years, has a beautiful daughter, and recently gained a terrific son-in-law. She and her husband live in Brownsburg, Indiana where she enjoys playing the piano, following her husband’s competitive Barbershop Quartet, crafting, serving through her church, and traveling around with her 4 pound Yorkie named Ezra.
The transition to her role as an Executive Assistant has allowed Beth the opportunity to continue to help children, and those that serve them, across the state.
Krista Hays joined the Development Team in 2020. Her primary focus is to engage, nurture, and grow community involvement such as through the corporate partnership program. In addition, Krista directs the marketing and communication efforts both internally and externally, oversees all fundraising events, and manages The Villages volunteer program. Krista graduated from Wittenberg University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and has an expansive career in marketing and communications, event planning, and fundraising in both non-profit and corporate sectors. She is a proud and busy mother of three. When time allows Krista enjoys tapping into her creative side through event planning, decorating, cooking, and gardening.
Pam Knight has served as the Senior Regional Director of the Central Indiana Region of The Villages since April of 2019. Pam is a licensed Social Worker who holds a Master of Social Work degree from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Ball State University. Pam has spent the majority of her career working with children and families and worked for the Indiana Department of Child Services for over 18 years prior to joining The Villages. Pam is the mother of one adult daughter and spends much of her time with family and taking her dog on long walks.
Brian Laskey joined The Villages of Indiana in 2021 as the Senior Director of Human Resources, bringing a wealth of experience—from for-profit corporations to impactful non-profit roles at College Mentors for Kids, Inc. Brian has consistently shaped innovative human capital strategies everywhere he has been. His extensive involvement on nonprofit boards statewide mirrors his commitment to community service. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Purdue University and a Master of Nonprofit Management degree from Regis University in Denver, CO, Brian is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Workplace. In 2024, Brian was promoted to his current role of Vice President of Human Resources, as part of our mission of fostering a culture of growth and inclusivity within The Villages. Outside of work, Brian loves traveling, watching movies, and spending time with his wife, son, and hosting exchange students.
Deborah joined The Villages in 2013 as Staff Accountant and is the current Senior Director of Finance. She studied Business Administration and Computer Technology at the University of Indianapolis and IUPUI. Deborah’s commitment to children and families extends beyond her work life at The Villages, she has been a foster parent since 2018 and adopted two boys through foster care.
Deborah is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. She married her wife, Amanda, in 2011 in Washington DC and loves her family time with her wife and their 5 children. Two married and out of the house: Greg (Crystal), Megan (Ryan), and three still at home Bekah, Liam, and Brandon. She also has 3 grandchildren, Sydnie, Maggie, and Tyson.
Amy Sanderson serves as the Senior Director of Quality Assurance and Information. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Indiana University and has over 30 years of experience in child and family services. She has been with the Quality Assurance department since she joined The Villages in 1997. During this time Amy has been instrumental in the development and facilitation of the Performance Quality Improvement Team and, more recently, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team for which she served as facilitator for its first two years. Amy has provided oversight of the Information Technology Department since 2016 and was instrumental in transitioning the organization to a fully Electronic Health Record. Amy also leads the maintenance of accreditation efforts through the Council on Accreditation (COA) to ensure The Villages meets best practice standards and strives for continuous quality improvement. In her free time, Amy enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her husband Mike.
Nicole Schultz has worked for The Villages since 2006. She has worked as a Case Manager, Regional Supervisor, and Director of Admissions prior to her current position. Before working at The Villages, Nicole worked for the Department of Child Services and in residential treatment settings. She has also previously served on the board for Prevent Child Abuse of Vanderburgh County. She holds a Bachelor’s degree with a dual major in Psychology and Criminology and a Master’s in Public Administration from Ball State University. She enjoys traveling, exploring historic places, and spending time with her husband and two children.
Shannon has over 25 years of experience creating and expanding social services for families, most recently as the Executive Vice President of Strategy, Innovation, and Clinical Services at Volunteers of America where she worked for 18 years.
Some recent examples of her work include the following: She developed a comprehensive program serving children with incarcerated parents, their caregivers, and their re-entering parents which received national recognition by Annie E. Casey Family Foundation as a Promising Practice for the positive outcomes for families of color.
She assisted Sesame Street’s® Little Children, Big Challenges™ series with the development of a character with an incarcerated parent and presented with their team at a United States Senate Briefing on the effects of parental incarceration on the lives of children.
She created a unique program in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Child Services serving pregnant women and mothers of newborns and small children affected by substance use disorder, increasing the numbers of babies born without the ill-effects of withdrawal and keeping mothers and babies safely together.
She is a Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Counselor, and received her master’s degree in Social Work from Indiana University. She completed a 2-year non-profit Executive Development Program at the University of Notre Dame, Mendoza School of Business and an Executive Leadership Program from American Express™.
She is a member of the Ball State University Department of Social Work’s Advisory Board, the Healthy Families Indiana Think Tank, and the Indiana Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaboration.
She was a recipient of the Hero of Recovery Award from Mental Health America of Indiana in 2018 and the Community Service Award from Drug Free Marion County in 2013.
She is life-long Hoosier who grew up in rural Indiana and lives in Indianapolis with her husband and teenage son. She enjoys traveling, hiking, and running.
Julie Villarreal is the Senior Regional Director of the Northwest Indiana Region of The Villages. She received her Master in Social Work in 2002 from Indiana University Northwest, with honors. She has worked in Child Welfare in various capacities since 1995. She is licensed in clinical social work. Julie enjoys spending time with family. She has two boys who participate in sports and she loves watching them play. In her spare time, Julie volunteers at a local food pantry and has a passion for working to improve the lives of children. Julie is also the recipient of the Ripple of Hope award for her dedication to youth and families.