Click on a staff member for a bio and interesting facts about them!
Staff
About Roberta
A graduate of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Roberta holds a Master of Arts degree in Philanthropic Studies and a Master of Public Affairs degree with a concentration in nonprofit management. In her role as President, Roberta solicits and stewards gifts from a wide range of individual, foundation and corporate donors and works closely with the Foundation’s Board of Directors. She has been with the Library Foundation in various capacities since 2002. She currently serves on the board of the Franklin Township Education Foundation.
Where did you receive your first Library card?
Stanford Free Library, Stanfordville, NY (The building was designed by Stanfordville resident and architect Alfred Butts, who invented Scrabble.)
What’s your favorite way to use the Library?
The Library’s abundant collection of downloadable audio books keeps me entertained while driving, cleaning and cooking, making these chores more pleasant! Reference USA and ProQuest Newsstand are my go-to databases for fundraising research. I also love letting our supporters know when their high school yearbooks are part of the Library’s Digital Indy collection. Seeing their yearbooks online helps them reminisce and connect to the Library in an unexpected way.
About Bethany
In her role as Vice President of Development, Bethany stewards a portfolio of donors, while leading fundraising, communications, and general support of the Library. Prior to joining the Library Foundation, she worked at Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana for 7 years, most notably as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. At Gleaners, she oversaw fundraising efforts for high-level corporate/foundation partners and secured strategic gifts for food bank programs, operations, and capital infrastructure. Bethany holds a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. With a background in music and performance, she is a lifelong advocate of the Arts, having recently joined the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Forte leadership committee.
What’s your favorite way to use the library?
I love spending time at the library. When I was in graduate school, I spent a lot of my weekends in the Central Library downtown finishing my homework. Even though I was a bit overwhelmed during that period of my life, I really appreciated the positive atmosphere of the library and interacting with their staff. Libraries continue to provide a comforting space for me to read, learn, and be creative.
What do you like to do when you’re not reading?
Exercising, visiting the park, watching movies, going to restaurants, listening to live music, and spending time with loved ones.
About Denise
Denise Elkins joined the Library Foundation as Office Manager in October 1999. Denise’s key responsibilities include all aspects of the Foundation’s financials (deposits, monthly financial reports, budget preparation, yearly audit, accounts payable and receivable), payroll, processing donations, maintaining the donor database and supervision of the Finance Coordinator.
Where did you receive your first Library card?
Bookmobile
What is your favorite part of working at the Library Foundation?
Having a job I enjoy going to everyday due to the great team working at the Foundation and Library
About Theresa
Theresa Browning, CFRE started at the Library Foundation in December 2020. As Senior Development Officer, Theresa primarily works with individual Friends of the Library to grow their relationship with the Library Foundation. She has worked in communications and fundraising roles in the Indianapolis area for twenty years and is lifelong library patron.
What do you like to do (when you’re not reading)?
Gardening and volunteering.
What’s your favorite way to use the Library?
In person! I love people watching as well as browsing the stacks after I’ve searched for the original book I’m seeking. I like to see what other interesting books have been written on the topic I’m interested in.
About Kellie
Kellie joined the Library Foundation team as Development Officer in June 2025. In her role, she manages the Friends of the Library Program, along with cultivating a generous group of individual and corporate donors. She brings over ten years of nonprofit development and fundraising experience. Most recently, she served as Associate Director of Individual Giving at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Kellie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nonprofit Management from Indiana University. As a native Hoosier, Kellie recognizes the vital role reading and the arts play in our community. She finds joy in philanthropy and wants to help guide people in finding their unique path to making a difference.
Where did you receive your first library card?
Noblesville, Indiana Public Library as preschooler.
What’s your favorite way to use the library?
Spending an uninterrupted Sunday afternoon browsing the shelves and settling in with a new book. I love the cozy and safe atmosphere of a library. I also enjoy utilizing the seed garden! A true city dweller but nature lover at heart.
About Abbey
Abbey Brill joined the Foundation in January 2016. In her role, she serves as the primary point of contact for Library staff concerning donor recognition and financial tracking for the Library programs which receive financial support from the Foundation. She also provides administrative support to the Vice President and the Development team. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Media, Culture, and the Arts from The King’s College in New York City.
Where did you receive your first library card?
Greene, Maine
What’s your favorite way to use the Library?
Getting books to read, especially by putting them on hold so I can easily pick them up.
About Emily
Emily Schnitker joined the Foundation in October 2017. As the Operations Coordinator, Emily provides administrative support to the President and Board of Directors, performs daily office functions and is responsible for most Library Foundation events. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs, Public Health from Indiana University.
Where did you receive your first Library card?
Jackson County Public Library in Seymour, Indiana
What do you like to do (when you’re not reading)?
Some of my hobbies include: cooking, biking, kayaking and spending time with family and friends.
About Cathy
Cathy Hurt joined the Foundation in 2016. She is responsible for assisting the Director of Finance and Human Resources with all aspects of the Foundation’s financials. Cathy graduated from Indiana University, Indianapolis in May 2013 with a Master’s degree in Accounting and obtained her CPA license in 2015. Prior to working at the Foundation, she worked as an auditor for the State Board of Accounts.
Where did you receive your first Library card?
Nashville Public Library, Nashville, TN
What’s your favorite way to use the Library?
Library e-books are one of my favorite things in the world. I can decide I want to read something and get it now, for free! Talk about instant gratification!
About Peg
Peg Sullivan joined the Library Foundation in March 2025. She brings more than 20 years of library experience, having previously worked at the IndyPL Irvington Branch. She has also volunteered for many years, most of them as Treasurer for the Irvington Historical Society located in the historic Bona Thompson Memorial Library. As the Development Assistant, Peg is responsible for processing daily cash receipts, acknowledgement letters, and providing administrative support for the Development Team.
Where did you receive your first library card?
Carmel Library. I can still remember the feeling I got every time I walked into the Children’s Area. I couldn’t wait to check out the next biography and the next Nancy Drew.
What do you like to do when not reading?
Spending time with family and friends, traveling and exploring new places, and attempting to teach myself how to sew.
Board of Directors
- Brad Holtz, Chair
President, ST Radio - Keri Jeter Lewis, Vice Chair
Human Resources Director, Shrewsberry & Associates, LLC - Dr. Amparo de la Peña, Secretary
Vice President of Pharmacometric Services, Cognigen Division, Simulations Plus, Inc. - Berthran Ugeh, Treasurer
CEO, Bloomstone Investment Group - Angela Mager, Immediate Past Chair
Assistant Dean, College of Education, Butler University - Marcio Donatelli
Global Market Researcher, Lilly - Michaela Graham
Project Manager – Senior, IU Health - Denise Herd, MBA
President, Herd Strategies - Dr. Sherri C. Lauver
VP of Data, Research, and Professional Education, Indiana Youth Institute - Vishal Lodha
Director of Technology Strategy, Microsoft Corporation - Suzann Lupton
Assistant Dean and Clinical Assistant Professor, Indiana University – Indianapolis - Paul Peaper
President, Indiana Health Care Association - Robin Reagan
Retired, Eli Lilly and Company; Aquatics Instructor, Indianapolis Healthplex - Dr. Lisa Riolo
Community Volunteer - Elizabeth Schuerman
Attorney, Paganelli Law Group - Katy Strader
Law Clerk, Exodus Refugee Immigration, Inc - Zach Wills
CEO, Radiological Care Services (RCS) - Gregory Hill
Chief Executive Officer, The Indianapolis Public Library - Roberta Knickerbocker Jaggers
President, The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation
Advisory Committee
- Diane Herndon
Borgmann Civic Volunteer - Barbara J. Bridges
Civic Volunteer - Robert J. Brody
Civic Volunteer - Florrie Binford Cooper
Civic Volunteer - Jason D. Dudich
AVP for Fiscal and Economic Strategy, IU - Bruce Glor
Community Volunteer - Julie H. Goodrich
Civic Volunteer - Thomas N. Hutchinson
Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP - Michael B. Joyce
President, First Merchants Private Wealth Advisor - Jeffery J. Qualkinbush
Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP - Dr. Aarti Shah
Retired Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Eli Lilly and Company - Andrew Z. Soshnick
Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP - Dennis M. Sponsel
President, RJE Business Interiors - Joanna Taft
Executive Director, Harrison Center - Susan Brock
Williams Associate Vice President, State Government Affairs, Eli Lilly and Company