By Heather Lusk
Katie Aeschliman has been elected by the board of the Zionsville Education Foundation to serve as president for the upcoming school year. She served as vice president for two years under Missy Copher, whom she succeeds.
“We have tried really hard to build some continuity of the leadership team,” Aeschliman said.
Because the ZEF board has undergone many transitions within the past year, Aeschilman wants to focus on educating schools and the community of ZEF’s purpose to raise funds to support the schools through grants. More than $1 million has been raised in the past 20 years.
“We’re looking to expand generally as an organization into areas we weren’t able to get to before,” she said.
Aeschliman wants to increase participation at events like last year’s Barn Bash.
“We have come a long way in 20 years,” she said. “We just want to build on that and create a sustainable organization that can continue to do that for the school district.”
Aeschliman has been involved with ZEF for four years in various capacities, beginning as a community member on the grants committee.
“I think we are incredibly fortune to have the volunteer leadership we have with ZEF,” said Chief Operating Officer Lyle Browne, who appreciates the different professional experiences that Aeschliman brings to the foundation. “It is great to have multiple perspectives come through the organization. I can already tell it’s going to be a smooth transition.”
Other elected executive board members are Chalilis Imes as vice president, Christine Mingus as treasurer and Beth Ann Kaltenmark, who will continue her role as secretary.
