Program Calendar

Virtual Workshop 2-Part Series

Session #1:
Wednesday, May 25
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Session #2:
Thursday, May 26
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Let’s face it, building and maintaining relationships are the bedrock of developing business and a key component of career growth and advancement. They are also a pivotal part of effective management. Once we appreciate that fact, and then learn how to form and leverage relationships, we’ll experience remarkable personal and professional growth. Through a series of stories that explore a combination of difficult lessons learned and scenarios of success, participants will leave better positioned to advance, serve, learn and lead in their communities and an organization.

Learning Objectives

1. Be clear on the BENEFITS of good business relationships
2. Understand the DEFINITION of a good business relationship (and how to spot an ineffective one)
3. Learn how to create INSTANT impact and connection
4. Create a plan to NURTURE and MAINTAIN relationships (or decide when to let go), and
5. Go further to build and maintain EXTRAORDINARY relationships

This program is ideal for: all levels of leaders

About Our Facilitator

Damon Elmore serves as the Executive Director of the State Bar of Georgia. He was selected by majority vote of the Board of Governors in October 2020. In that role, he is responsible for leading, managing, and executing the affairs of the Bar and implementing its policies and strategic direction for the overall benefit of its 52,000+ members, the organization and Bar staff. He received his J.D. from the Emory University School of Law, and his B.A. from Savannah State University. Prior to joining the Bar, he served as Sr. Executive Director – People Strategy and General Counsel for Muncie Power Products. When describing his capacity to build relationships, it has been said that “another obvious strength of Damon’s is the ability to relate to all levels throughout the organization. His presentation skills and demeanor allow him to quickly gain the trust of others.” A native of Savannah, Georgia, he proudly called Muncie and East Central Indiana home from 2017-2021.

Virtual coffee talk

A key to success in work and in life is to know your purpose. To discover our deep internal motivation, we will use two guiding questions and activities that will provide a direct and indirect way to discover our values. We will then use activities to develop tools to live our core values in our daily actions.

Learning Objectives

1. Discover our core values.
2. Develop tools to live our core values in our daily actions.

This program is ideal for: everyone! but especially those who need motivation or who need to motivate others.

About Our Facilitator

Liz Haney has a demanding role as the Director, Sponsored Projects Administration at Ball State University. Before arriving at Ball State in 2021, she spent over a decade supporting the seeking and management of external funding for higher education at institutions including the University of Chicago, Harvard University, Middlebury College, and St. Lawrence University. She manages her physical energy with a vegetarian diet, good sleep hygiene, classes at the YMCA, walks around the neighborhood, and hikes in the woods. She manages her mental energy by practicing the techniques in Getting Things Done. She manages her emotional energy by having face to face conversations with people she likes and by expressing appreciation at least once a day. She manages her spiritual energy with prayer, yoga and metta meditation. And every once in a while, she completely loses her $h!+ because she is human 🙂

Virtual Workshop 2-Part Series

Session #1:
Wednesday, June 22
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Session #2:
Thursday, June 23
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Ever get tired of those around you denying their role in an incident, pointing fingers at others as to why something happened, or feeling people are just waiting to see if someone else will take care of the mess? Learn practical ways to stop these behaviors while holding yourself and others accountable.

Research proves that employers and employees both place a high value on trust. How do you keep yourself, and others, on track? Do you willingly accept responsibility for your actions and decisions? Learn how to articulate expectations and take ownership of how you fulfill them. A team that is accountable, is a team that is high performing.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand how to improve performance through accountability
2. Learn to recognize the victim cycle and “Above The Line” behaviors
3. Apply several tools to help you and others remain accountable

This program is ideal for: first-time supervisors or mid-level managers who need a refresher

About Our Facilitator

Susan Rozzi (pronounced Row Z) is the president and owner of Rozzi & Associates, a leadership and organizational development firm. She has a passion for unleashing the potential for greatness in good leaders and believes each person has a unique way of leading. Susan is a leadership coach focusing on leadership development, emotional intelligence insight and career management. Each of her programs starts with the premise that great leadership skills are a product of time, practice and focused development. What makes Susan different is her observant approach and ability to speak grace with her candor.

Rozzi graduated from DePauw University and earned an MBA from Indiana University. She is certified in EQi-2.0 and EQ 360 (emotional intelligence assessment) and DiSC, a Certified Real Colors (temperament assessment) facilitator, and a Certified John C. Maxwell coach, trainer and speaker. She is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Hendricks County as well as a Board member of the Level Two co-working space and Outreach Inc.

Virtual coffee talk

In today’s companies, workplace culture and values are becoming more and more important to workers. It can account for why nowadays, lower-level positions are getting harder to fill. How people are treated when they come into your company sets the value and behaviors that the employee will take on throughout their career. Being aware of workplace bias can create a more tolerant company and attract a diverse talent pool.

Learning Objectives

1. Awareness of common workplace bias
2. How to discover workplace bias in your company
3. Ways to minimize workplace bias in your company .

This program is ideal for: HR managers, first-time supervisors, mid-level managers, nonprofits, and all people who want to learn more about how to identify workplace bias.

About Our Facilitator

Kim Yarborough has a master’s degree in Business Psychology. She works with men and women who want to learn to lead with confidence. She also works with new managers who are just starting out how to lead. She has over 26 years of experience in the public sector leading and managing employees.

Virtual Workshop 2-Part Series

Session #1:
Wednesday, July 27
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Session #2:
Thursday, July 28
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Introverts have amazing strengths, but they can often be overshadowed in a fast-paced society focused on energy and charisma. This session is for everyone- introverts, extroverts, and those wanting to learn more specifically about the world of introverts- close to half of the U.S. population. Whether you are more of a listener, a talker, or somewhere in between, learning about personality preferences can help us become more meaningful communicators.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the world of introverts and be inspired through clarity, confirmation, and confidence
2. Learn how to own your introversion- discover the strengths and attributes of introverts
3. Discover how to most effectively connect and communicate as an introvert or with an introvert

About Our Facilitator

Eilis (A-lish) Wasserman is a virtual facilitator and coach focused on cultivating confidence and inspiring self-discovery. Eilis recently worked at the Ball State University Career Center, The University of Michigan, and The Muse as a Career Coach. You may have seen Eilis acting as a digital producer for one of Shafer’s recent virtual program offerings. She currently serves as Shafer Leadership Academy’s Virtual Program Manager where she coordinates virtual programming guiding facilitators to present their best selves.

Virtual coffee talk

How often do you say “yes” to a request while thinking, “but I don’t really want to do it”? Or maybe you take things on entirely by yourself because you feel bad asking for help? You’re not alone. We’re hardwired to want to please others and also not be seen as a burden. However, when we don’t honor our inner voice, it erodes away the integrity we have with ourselves.

Learning Objectives

1. How to honor your inner voice in these moments
2. Strategies to say “no” that fit your personality
3. Reframe your beliefs about asking for help

This program is ideal for: anyone

About Our Facilitator

Halle Simpson is a globally certified Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation, Keynote Speaker, Trainer and Author of the Know Thyself Journal. Her passion for speaking and coaching stems from growing up in a household with a parent battling depression and the grit gained from a 20 year career in sales and leadership development. In her work with executives and business owners across the country, Halle has come to specialize in creating intentional conversations to grow leaders and their businesses. In her down time, Halle enjoys daily journaling, yoga, massages, watching cooking shows and trips to Traverse City, Michigan. She resides in Indianapolis with her Boston Terrier, Marco (named after Marco Andretti) and is a race fan who attends the Indy 500 each year.

Virtual Workshop 2-Part Series

Session #1:
Wednesday, August 24
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Session #2:
Thursday, August 25
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Optimism is a skill. Let’s be clear about that first. And as a skill, it’s anchored in seeing clearly and fully acknowledging what is true in this present moment. Where most leaders stop in their decision-making process is thinking too concretely, choosing what’s obvious and comfortable over what’s hidden and worthwhile.

In this workshop, we will explore grounded, action-oriented definition of optimism. You will have a chance to understand the mental, behavioral, and cultural barriers to optimism most people experience, then uncover practical, reasonable strategies for finding possibilities, especially when things feel most uncertain.

As a leader, you have a responsibility to help people see what’s possible, to inspire and equip them to overcome challenges. Without optimism, your task is infinitely hard and I’m convinced anyone can develop a strong, grounded, and action-oriented practice of optimism.

Learning Objectives

1. Clearly define optimism as action-oriented and a teachable skill
2. Identify your barriers for finding possibilities when things get hard
3. A safe space to practice learning optimism
4. Practical ways to build optimism into your decision-making going forward

About Our Facilitator

Adam Bouse is a Performance Coach at 15Five. With more than a dozen years of frontline management and leadership experience prior to entering the field of coaching, he is focused on helping individuals grow, teams thrive, and organizations maximize performance. He holds an M.A. in Organizational Leadership, is a certified emotional intelligence (EQ) coach, and has experience working with all organizational levels, from the frontlines through the C-suite. Adam’s coaching specialities include EQ, resonant leadership, difficult conversations, change management, manager development, goal setting, and empathy.

In-Person Workshop

Learning Objectives

1. Explore the differences between managing and leading
2. Learn the fundamentals of emotional intelligence and how these skills show up in our lives
3. Learn about the Leadership Coaching method and how it can be applied in the work place
4. Coaching skills that can be put into immediate practice

This program is ideal for: anyone who supervises a staff team.

About Our Facilitator

Mark Demchak has more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience working for 3 YMCAs in Illinois and Indiana. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Miami County YMCA in Peru, Indiana, where under his leadership the Y has successfully built a new YMCA facility and medical clinic (open February 2022). Mark’s experience includes strategic planning, capital project development, fundraising, board development, and staff development, and he is a sought after trainer in leadership coaching. He holds a B.A. from Purdue University and an MFA from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks–both degrees are in Creative Writing.

A hands on journey to a better understanding of generational differences.

Using our innovative, and proprietary, Generational Game Board, participants will explore the various social, political, and economic influences that shaped the working attitudes of the Greatest Generation, Baby Boomers, Generational X, Millennials and now Generation Z. Our game creates interesting, and informative, conversation among participants from various generations.

We provide you with a way of looking at another generation so you can relate to their experience and understand their perspective. We will provide case studies and activities that push you to find the value in what another generation has to offer.

Learning Objectives

• An appreciation of each of the major generational groups active in the workplace today
• An overview of the challenges and opportunities multi-generational teams present
• Insights regarding the world views, needs, and skill sets of various generations
• An understanding of how to facilitate effective collaboration among multi-generational group members

About Our Facilitators

Mitch Isaacs was named Shafer Leadership Academy’s Executive Director in May 2015. In this role, he works closely with the organization’s board of directors to fulfill the mission of the organization. He is responsible for creating vision, connecting with stakeholders, administering program offerings and leading the organization in meaningful ways.

Mitch has over a decade of college leadership experience spanning multiple campuses. He graduated from Ball State University in 2002 with a double major in History and Political Science and a minor in Counseling Psychology. Mitch completed his Master’s degree in Student Affairs and Higher Education at Indiana State University. Mitch returned to Ball State in 2005 and spent the next 10 years as a working professional in Higher Education, including five years as the Director of the Excellence in Leadership program, and Coordinator of the Leadership Studies Minor.

Mitch is an active member of the Muncie community. He serves as the President of the Country Village / Creekwood Neighborhood Association, Secretary for the Motivate Our Minds Board of Directors, and Secretary for the Indiana Leadership Association Board of Directors. Mitch sits on the board of directors for Muncie Action Plan and Muncie Rotary. Mitch is passionate about youth development, with roles as a Project Leadership Mentor, a Big Brother with Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Delaware County, and a member of the Burris Laboratory School Advisory Council.

He is committed to enhancing the leadership skills of the community and dedicated to Shafer Leadership Academy’s mission to ensure that individuals who have the desire to demonstrate leadership have access to world class leadership training close to home.

Tisha Gierhart was hired as Shafer Leadership Academy’s first Program Director in January 2014. She is primarily responsible for all activities related to the development, delivery, and assessment of leadership programs presented by Shafer Leadership Academy. In this role, she focuses on building collaborative relationships with Shafer Leadership Academy’s participants and partners.

Tisha holds a degree in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. She has worked in the healthcare field for fourteen years, where she developed her skills in leadership, project management and facilitation. Tisha served as an internal coach for IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, where she worked to enhance the patient experience by cultivating a culture of service.

Tisha is an alumnus of Shafer Leadership Academy’s Emergence program and has completed Advanced Facilitator Training. Tisha is a Certified John Maxwell Speaker, Coach and Trainer. She is certified in The Leadership Challenge and has over 40 hours of certified coach training. Tisha is an active member in her community where she serves as a board member for the Jay County Cancer Society and is the Co-Chair of the Jay County Cancer Walk. She enjoys volunteering and is a member of the Portland Evening Optimist and Hickory Grove Church of the Brethren. Her work reflects her passion for making a difference, building relationships, and motivating others. She believes in leading by example and developing purposeful connections.

IN-Person Lunch & Learn

Forks, knives, napkins and spoons – they matter but not more than the people and relationships that are being fostered during your next business meal or networking/social event. COVID aside, there are plenty of things we can think through in advance to help us be prepared for the next professional event. In this session, we will use a real lunch to walk through table manners in a way that is appropriate for today and the future. And at the end, you’ll know your fork from…your other fork!

Learning Objectives

1. Develop and encourage positive table manners for various situations
2. Use the skills being taught in real-time
3. Ask questions about specific scenarios we’ve faced in the past

This program is ideal for: Good for anyone! We can always use practice in this area.

About Our Facilitator

James Mitchell is originally from Chicago and earned two degrees (BA in English and MSEd in Adult Education) from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. He moved to Muncie in 2000 to work at Ball State University.

Since 2019, James Mitchell serves as the Director of HR and Employee Experience at Minnetrista, a 40 acre museum and gardens that celebrates the legacy of the Ball families and their company which transformed food preservation at the beginning of the 20th century.

Professionally, James volunteers as the Director of Programs and Workforce Readiness with the East Central Indiana Human Resources Association (ECIHRA) and as vice chair on the board with Muncie Habitat for Humanity.

In his free time, James enjoys playing video games, travel, the arts (live theater and museums especially) and learning new things. He and his dog, Lady, live in Muncie.

In-Person Workshop

Learning Objectives

1. Allow leaders to step back and simplify their day to day priorities
2. Allow leaders to understand their function in specific meetings
3. Give leaders a series of tools to execute their roles more effectively.

This program is ideal for: President, Owner or CEO of a locally based company

About Our Facilitator

Matt Nettleton

From the living room to the board room Matt Nettleton has sold a wide variety of tangible products and high-end services. He understands salespeople and knows how to help them become the best they can be. He helps elevate the profession—and the professional salesperson’s view of himself.

Since 2003, Matt has coached more than 175 companies in a wide variety of industries. He has helped multiple companies grow from $1 million to more than $10 million in annual revenue and has helped clients close more than $2.3 billion in new sales. Coaching people using the “Sandler Selling System” seasoned by personal sales experience and the experience of his clients.

IN-Person Lunch & Learn

What’s the distinction between diversity and inclusion? It’s important to listen carefully to conversations about diversity and inclusion. Although they mean different things in practice, the terms “diversity” and “inclusion” are often used interchangeably. Many organizations have yet to adopt practices that truly promote inclusion.

Ideally, the diversity and inclusion commitment that an organization espouses aligns with what employees actually experience. When employees experience high levels of organizational, work-group, and supervisor inclusion, they report the most favorable outcomes in terms of individual engagement, job performance, and intention to stay with the organization. Group processes and organizational performance outcomes are also best when all three forms of inclusion align.

Learning Objectives

1. Examine the differences between diversity and inclusion
2. Identify group processes and performance outcomes impacted when D& I efforts align

This program is ideal for: Organizational leaders and managers

About Our Facilitator

Dr. Tracey Danner-Odenwelder, CFRE With over 25 years’ experience in organizational development and corporate social responsibility, Tracey is passionate about serving others and impacting our global community. Tracey collaborates with key stakeholders to address organizational and community needs, focusing on long-term sustainability, evolving relevance and expanding community impact. She is results-oriented and takes pride in developing cohesive and cause driven staff, board and volunteer teams.

Tracey earned her doctorate in Human and Organizational Learning from George Washington University; her dissertation researched the impact corporate social responsibility has on the organization’s culture, particularly studying the role of senior leadership and cross-sector partnerships. Her MPhil and MS degrees are in Organizational Dynamics, with dual certification in Organizational Leadership and Global Studies, from the University of Pennsylvania. Her BS in Human Services is from Springfield College. Tracey has studied abroad in eight countries; she researched social service systems and how community needs were met in each country.

Tracey was the recipient of the 2020 Robert Shoemaker- Thomas Branum Service to Humanity Award and the 2018 Presidential Excite, Engage, Evolve Award.

Professional Certifications
• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE)
• Certified in Denison Culture and Leadership Assessments
• Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Cornell University

In-Person Workshop

Learning Objectives

1. Review strategies for setting exceptions and instilling accountability
2. Explore the different types of meetings
3. Understand how to build an actionable agenda
4. Learn what to do before the meeting begins
5. Examine the different types of difficult people and how to handle them
6. Discuss how to appropriately conclude a meeting
7. Understand the steps to take after a meeting
8. Understand the purpose of the “one on one”
9. Discuss the timing of a one on one
10. Learn how to prepare for a one on one
11. Understand how learning styles influence the one on one
12. Explore how one on ones build trust

This program is ideal for: anyone who hosts or participates in 1:1 and group meetings

About Our FacilitatorS

Tisha Gierhart was hired as Shafer Leadership Academy’s first Program Director in January 2014. She is primarily responsible for all activities related to the development, delivery, and assessment of leadership programs presented by Shafer Leadership Academy. In this role, she focuses on building collaborative relationships with Shafer Leadership Academy’s participants and partners.

Tisha holds a degree in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. She has worked in the healthcare field for fourteen years, where she developed her skills in leadership, project management and facilitation. Tisha served as an internal coach for IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, where she worked to enhance the patient experience by cultivating a culture of service.

Tisha is an alumnus of Shafer Leadership Academy’s Emergence program and has completed Advanced Facilitator Training. Tisha is a Certified John Maxwell Speaker, Coach and Trainer. She is certified in The Leadership Challenge and has over 40 hours of certified coach training. Tisha is an active member in her community where she serves as a board member for the Jay County Cancer Society and is the Co-Chair of the Jay County Cancer Walk. She enjoys volunteering and is a member of the Portland Evening Optimist and Hickory Grove Church of the Brethren. Her work reflects her passion for making a difference, building relationships, and motivating others. She believes in leading by example and developing purposeful connections.

Carisa Aguilar is the Lead Indiana Trainer for Northwest Bank, maintaining training labs in Muncie and Bloomfield. In that role, Aguilar trains virtually and in-person new and existing employees on company history, onboarding, systems, sales and soft skills. Before that she spent six years working in the school district, first as a parent volunteer coordinator where she acted as the liaison between parents and the school, maintained a database of approved volunteers, communicated teacher needs to parents as well as coordinated events that fostered home, school and community involvement.

IN-Person Lunch & Learn

How do we move the professional kitchen into an era of safe and positive impact for growth and appeal to the next generations? How can we fold traditional apprenticeship training techniques into a more affirming experience for the apprentice and the trainer? What is the potential of the future professional kitchen?

As a trade-based industry, professional kitchens are hurting worldwide. We have high turnover, high stress, slow growth, and minimal pay. The only way we can move from our past, into a positive future, is to adjust to modern culture and societal standards of a positive work environment.

Many cultures believe and use food as medicine, comfort, and a way to show love. The professional cook’s kitchen can be the same!

Learning Objectives

1. Build a positive learning environment in the kitchen.
2. Attract next generations to the professional kitchen industry.
3. Grow your business through growth of your staff.

About Our Facilitator

Kyle Reninger was born and raised in Clearwater, FL. He attended the University of South Florida and has worked in the service and retail industry for the past 20 years. He and his partner, Amanda, moved to Muncie in 2008 were Amanda attended Ball State University for her Master’s Degree and Artist Diploma. They found great community and connections in Muncie, and decided to continue their life in Muncie and start a business. Kyle is the President of Acquisitions and Amanda is the Owner of Sea Salt & Cinnamon. Amanda is the master of the science and math in the kitchen, while Kyle is focused on developing new savory items and expansion of distribution. Through SLA and the Emergence Program, Kyle and Amanda have gained the training and knowledge to help grow the Muncie Community. In their free time, Kyle and Amanda can be found enjoying Downtown Muncie, at the movies, or at home with their three dogs and six cats.

Is supervision for me?

The transition from frontline employee to supervisor is a big leap.

This program is designed to help participants better understand the roles and responsibilities of supervision. In this interactive course, we will explore the fundamentals of frontline supervision. Participants will examine core elements of supervision such as building trust, managing conflict, and communicating effectively.

At the end of the program both participants and employers will be ready to answer the question “Is supervision for me?”

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