The Villages of Indiana board of directors announces new CEO and president
Shannon Schumacher
INDIANAPOLIS—April 13, 2021— The Villages of Indiana board of directors announces Shannon Schumacher, MSW, LCAC, LSW, has been selected to become the next CEO and president. She assumes the top job from President and CEO Sharon Pierce, who retires after nearly 30 years of tenure.
Schumacher joins The Villages team April 19 with over 20 years of experience working in the non-profit, human services field. The last 18 years she has worked for Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana. “Shannon’s many career achievements positively impacting mothers and their children tell a story of a forward-thinking leader with real-world experience guiding, building and innovating to support people toward finding stability,” says Rhonda Breman, The Villages board member who led the committee search. “We’re excited to watch her build on the foundation created by our retiring CEO and President Sharon Pierce.”
Pierce says, “I have great confidence in the board’s decision to hire Shannon, a proven and passionate leader, as she takes the leadership role for those we serve in our communities, in our state, and in our nation. I am certain Shannon will continue the mantra Championing Families for Children.”
Schumacher joined Volunteers of America in 1999 as a clinician. Over the past two decades, her position with the organization transformed to a leadership role working as COO from 2012 to 2018 and most recently vice president strategy, innovation & clinical services. Her skills and background include strategic planning and execution, fundraising, board development, state and federal contracting, team building, grant writing, and clinical expertise. Breman says these skills coupled with the network Schumacher has built in Indiana complement The Villages operational and leadership needs. Schumacher agrees.
“Both The Villages and Volunteers of America are mission-driven, human-centered organizations. We are people working to provide stability through programs, services and support to men, women and children in our communities,” says Schumacher. “In my recent work, I created vital connections and links to key organizations that are critical to The Villages operations, including Indiana Department of Child Services and the United Way. I’m looking forward to the next chapter and how my leadership can positively impact The Villages statewide staff and more importantly the families and children served.”
Schumacher earned a B.S. in psychological science from Ball State University and an MSW from Indiana University. She completed a pre-doctoral social work program at Indiana University and has completed various leadership development programs. Schumacher lives in Indianapolis with her husband and son.
The Villages of Indiana champions every child’s right to a safe, permanent and nurturing home serving more than 3,100 children and their families daily. This mission-driven, nonprofit agency is committed to strengthening all families and embracing the dignity and diversity of each child, youth and family served. The Villages is the state’s largest private non-profit serving children and families. The professional team offers a continuum of care addressing the needs of abused, neglected and abandoned children through therapeutic foster care licensing and placements for Indiana parents coupled with wrap-around programs and services. The organization is a leader in providing child abuse prevention services.