Meet the YMCA Staff

Bob Wanek CEO

Bob Wanek, CEO and celebrating 29 years as a Y professional.  Each member has a great story and so much potential to grow through the YMCA!  I love my job because of the people I have the privilege of serving every day!!

Phone Extension: 224

Deb Winter VP Chief Financial Officer

I oversee Membership, Finances, IT, Risk Management and Human Resources at the Y.  I make sure the behind the scene stuff is taken care of so our members have the best experience! I love our members, our staff and our mission, and  I look forward to coming to work each day.  Although it is very hard work, it is very rewarding to know that the Y makes such a difference in people’s life!

Phone Extension: 226

Debra Koeppen VP Chief Development Officer

I serve our members with a strong conviction in our Mission to serve "all."  I head up the annual Changing Lives Campaign, and I work hard to meet campaign goals to keep our financial assistance program strong.  I love working at our Y because I believe I'm truly serving my community, and our new facility has enabled us to serve even more children, adults, and families in building stronger spirit, mind and body.

Phone Extension: 229

Kirk Alexander COO

Phone Extension: 349

Anne Brandt Marketing Director

As the marketing director at the Y, I drive the Y's marketing and communication efforts across many media channels. I strive to get the right information to our members and community in a timely and helpful manner so they can take advantage of all the classes, programs and services that the Y offers. I also get to help tell the amazing stories of how the Y touches people's lives in so many positive ways every day. I truly enjoy working and building relationships with our members, staff, guests and the community we serve.

Phone Extension: 241

Donna Demko Annual Giving Director

 I encourage members of the community to join us in our efforts to strengthen our community through our annual "Changing Lives" campaign. Community donors provide funding for our financial assistance program thus supporting our Mission to serve "all". I enjoy working with our members, staff and community leaders in creating rewarding relationships that will sustain the Mission of the Valparaiso Family YMCA for years to come.

Phone Extension: 351

Ruth Cavanaugh Building Supervisors Coordinator

I give tours, answer questions, and solve problems.  I like the opportunity to meet so many people, which allows me to learn more about the community and be of service to all.

Phone Extension: 234

Carol Misch Executive Assistant

I serve our members by assisting with special events and daily administrative duties.  I love working at our YMCA because I believe I’m helping our community become stronger by developing a healthy lifestyle!

Phone Extension: 225

Bob Jones Properties & Maintenance

I have been privileged to work for the Valpo YMCA for 16 years. I love my job and it’s the reason I get up in the morning. I enjoy all the great staff and all the fantastic members. I am very fortunate that in my job, everything I do impacts members. I consider members to be part of my extended family. I like to think—what would my parents say about the facility if they came to use it? Would they be happy with all phases of the experience and would I be proud to show them the building? I strive very hard to say yes to those questions.

Phone Extension: 242

Brenda Hohenberger Administrative Office Manager

I have worked at the Valpo Y for over 5 years. In my position I enjoy connecting with our Directors, their Assistants, and our amazing Staff, or just a friendly chat with our CEO on any given day. I handle payroll and benefits for over 250 employees. I love being the go-to person for our Staff. As questions arise, I strive to reach a solution. I serve as an assistant to our VP-CFO, who helps hold the glue of our organization together. It's all about the people and relationships that are built, nurtured and forever engaging their hopeful spirits.

Phone Extension: 227

Regina Bluell Director of Member Services and Staff Engagement

My goal in serving our members is to assure that everyone using the facility has a good experience.  Accomplishing this takes having a dedicated staff in place who enjoy what they do.  I also make myself available to discuss any comments or concerns our members may have and to reach a solution in a timely manner.  The YMCA is a great place to work and raise your children.  I always tell my new staff that family comes first and the YMCA truly embodies that.  I greatly enjoy interacting with our members.  I also have a wonderful staff who support our goals and mission and are very engaged; this makes working here very rewarding and enjoyable.  I have had the privilege of working for the Valparaiso YMCA since August 1992.

Phone Extension: 228

Sharon Stimson Membership Administrator

I serve members and non members as Front Desk Coordinator by insuring the staff have all the information they need to assist our customers.  I also serve as Financial Assistance Administrator by providing those who cannot afford memberships to have the opportunity to enjoy the same benefits as the rest of our community.  I love working at the YMCA because I meet so many wonderful people who each have their own story.  My staff is wonderful and it is a pleasure to work with them.

Phone Extension: 244

Jodi Jackson Specialty Membership and Volunteer Coordinator

The YMCA has become a passion of mine since I started volunteering in 1987. I have since moved through the Y doing various jobs until landing my current job as Specialty Membership and Volunteer Coordinator. I handle “specialty” type memberships like Corporates, SilverSneakers, Military One Source and Healthy Contributions. As Volunteer coordinator, I also facilitate volunteers into areas of need into our YMCA. I believe in the YMCA and what it does for our community, how it brings everyone together to build a better body, mind and spirit for all.

Phone Extension: 233

Karen Washo Membership Data Specialist

I am back office support for the courtesy desk.  I verify that everything the desk staff enters is correct in regards to your membership.  One of my main responsibilities is ensuring that your draft payments run smoothly each month.  I love working at the Y because I truly believe in our four core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility.  I  love talking with our members and am so thankful to be a part of their lives.  My children have grown up in the Y, and because they have been able to come to work with me; they have learned the valuable lesson of volunteering.  I started working at our Y in 2001. I feel so blessed to have found this place, all our members and staff that I have the privilege to work with every day.

Phone Extension: 223

Shannon Spratley Senior Program Director of Childcare

I oversee Child Care programs that build a solid foundation for their child's future learning.  Working for the Y allows me to touch the lives of children and families through spirit, mind, and body. I love the staff team and how supportive everyone is of the Y mission, participants, and peers. The YMCA is an enjoyable place to work, filled with humor and fun!

Phone Extension: 265

Diane Sonnenberg Youth Program Director

I enjoy serving families with special events and through caring for their children.  I especially like the interaction with different families and helping serve their individual needs.  It’s important to me that my staff are supportive and nurturing and have the children’s best interests at heart and are always looking to improve themselves through trainings and experience.

Phone Extension: 238

Lee Baker Senior Director of Programs

I am honored to be able to serve members by providing programs that help individuals and families in their pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.  I love being a part of the YMCA because I strongly believe in the Y’s mission and impact in the community.  The thing I love most about my job is the people. I have seen first hand how being a part of the YMCA can change people’s lives for the better.

Phone Extension: 260

Kari Bukur Wellness Coordinator

I manage the Wellness Center, Youth Wellness Center and the Personal Training Program.  Establishing relationships with amazing people, helping individuals achieve goals, and presenting them with the opportunity to establish a healthier lifestyle makes my job extremely rewarding!

Phone Extension: 237

Carrie Koch Wellness Programs Coordinator

I manage the Wellness programs such as Group Exercise Classes for all ages and Wellness Special Events.  Working at the Y has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people, and I truly love helping adults and kids meet their wellness goals.  It makes my day when a member tells me how much better they feel after spending time here at the Y.

Phone Extension: 249

Laurie Wehner-Evans Director of Community Relations-Porter

I enjoy the ability to meet people and make healthy connections!

Phone Extension: 262

Chuck Gutzwiller Aquatics Director

I serve the members of the YMCA by ensuring the Aquatics Department provides quality programs and services to best meet the needs of the community. I like working at the YMCA because I enjoy being around all of the wonderful people who come into this building.

Phone Extension: 230

Cody Bischoff Sports Director

I oversee youth sports, adult sports, martial arts, and Valpo Skates.  I love sports and I enjoy helping kids learn how to play different sports.

Phone Extension: 235

Kila Lindstrom Aquatics Coordinator

I am privileged to help serve and oversee the Aquatics Department. My main focus is to ensure quality programming and staffing for swim lessons, fitness classes and special member events. I truly believe in the Y Mission and genuinely wish to help all people attain personal growth and development of a healthy mind, spirit and body. I love the Y because I am able to lead others in achieving the benefits of good health, strong connections and greater self confidence to all who seek it!

Phone Extension: 247