about
NEXUS
Behind every endeavor, great and small, is a story. The Nexus story begins with four people who each had a burden to impact the city of Indianapolis, the state of Indiana, and beyond.
We came from different backgrounds and different areas of the country, but we all landed at the same church in Indianapolis. As we connected and shared our dreams, we began to ask, “What would happen if more business owners ran their companies with specific intentions for community impact?”
Clearly, God was orchestrating a much bigger story. Nexus was founded on Christian faith principles to make a positive difference in the world. Today, the Nexus Impact Center with coworking, office and event space, is a place where social entrepreneurs gather, is the culmination of this dream. All are welcome as we work together to create impact.
We’ve come a long way…and have a long way to go. Won’t you join us in making impact?
our
NAME
“Nexus” means connection. At Nexus Impact Center, people unite to do good. You’re not in this alone! Join our community where even our name suggests the deep connection we share.
Mission: The Nexus Impact Center unites, inspires, and resources people to cultivate impact-driven business models.
Vision: We endeavor to create an equitable* world through collective impact. *equitable = accessible, inclusive, sustainable for all.
mission &
VISION
"What if more business owners ran their companies
with specific intentions for community impact?"
executive
STAFF
ROBIN
LEE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Robin is a CPA and started her career as an auditor for KPMG with a focus on nonprofits and governments. She has worked for nearly 3 decades in government, ministries and most recently a small foundation gaining multiple perspectives on how our society is trying to address social issues and struggling to make progress. She is passionate about the collective impact we can have by bringing like-minded leaders together from diverse backgrounds to ignite innovation and sustainable social impact!
KARMEN
Karmen is a native Hoosier who brings joy to all those she works with. She has a background with banking, special events and running her own business. Her passion is helping people find clarity on their purpose and living it out in all aspects of their lives.
FINK
COMMUNITY MANAGER
MAGGIE
GARCIA
OFFICE & EVENTS COORDINATOR
Maggie is originally from Chicago, Illinois, and was raised in Indianapolis. She is a high-energy professional with experience planning, organizing, and managing events,. Maggie has a passion for providing services and resources to her community and making sure every person is seen, heard and valued.
board of
DIRECTORS
DORA LUTZ
PRESIDENT
As CEO, instructor & author, Dora knows how to help corporate leaders create world-impacting, highly profitable business strategies. At GivingSpring, her second business, Dora coaches both global organizations and social startups to set a vision for impact and drive execution. She has also created and teaches the course “Business Planning for Social Entrepreneurs” at Purdue University. She earned her Shared Value certification in 2016, subsequently serving as the Chair of the Global Council for IMPACT 2030, a cross-sector initiative alongside the UN.
THOMAS TOTTEN
TREASURER
Tom is the CEO and Founder of Epeenoire, a human resource tech firm that helps socially conscious companies hire socially conscious vendors in the HR space. He is committed to move the needle for social good. Tom has 30 years serving as a pension and health care actuary for Fortune 500 and Main Street companies. Half of his career has been spent running companies with two successful exits. He invested in his community through various board roles and also taught the next generation of actuaries at Notre Dame.
BRYAN ORANDER
SECRETARY
Bryan Orander is President of Charitable Advisors and Publisher of the Not-for-profit News. Bryan has been consulting with nonprofit organizations across Indiana for 25 years. Bryan and his team publish the Not-for-profit News and Central Indiana Nonprofit Job Board to 13,000 subscribers each week while seeking to inform, connect, and inspire nonprofits in making central Indiana a great place to live. Most of Charitable Advisors consulting work is now focused around succession planning and affordable executive search for Executive Directors and CEOs of small to midsized nonprofits.
DERRIN SLACK
DIRECTOR
Derrin is the Founder and CPO of ProAct Indy, a social enterprise nonprofit that has trained and led teams to engage over 25,000 boys and girls and corporate employees. Derrin is a results-driven servant leader who believes in the importance of relationships and teaching leadership through service, because vulnerable people do not care how much you know, they want to know how much you care. As a highly sought-after speaker, training facilitator and consultant, Derrin educates on such issues as diversity and equity, community engagement strategies for businesses and nonprofits, and schools.
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JESSICA RODRIGUEZ HERNANDEZ
DIRECTOR
Jessica is a relationship-focused leader whose passion lies in corporate responsibility and community engagement. Holding true to the words "In order to receive, one must give," Jessica finds her fulfillment in educating and consulting her enterprise level clients on the fruitful impact they create by pouring resources back into their communities. Her decade of experience in sales has resulted in $35 million dollars of growth for businesses and equitable employment for marginalized communities. Jessica's commitment to serve is best illustrated by her board service and relentless fundraising efforts to support mission driven nonprofits..
KATRINA SIMMONS
DIRECTOR
Katrina is the owner of Gifted Minds, LLC where she has developed a successful way to help business owners seeking to embody their passion and purpose and turn them into a legally protected and profitable legacy. She helps entrepreneurs legally start their business, new revenue streams and expand their current business structures. Katrina moved to Indy after completing her Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice in 2006. She went on to complete her Masters of Law in Office management and administration and spent 16 years in the legal world. She successfully served as head paralegal for multiple law firms and managed other legal staff in various areas of law including personal injury, business, criminal, bankruptcy and more.
SUNDARESH RAMANATHAN
DIRECTOR
Sundaresh brings 30+ years of experience leading technology, services, and IT operations in startups and Fortune 100 companies. He is passionate about helping organizations adopt a culture to accelerate the application of data and steer away from unpredictable outcomes. He is committed to bringing this passion to the world of nonprofits and impact-based business to measure genuine impact on our society.
BOB PADEN
DIRECTOR
Bob is the owner and head coach of The Growth Coach of North Indianapolis, a consulting and coaching business that provides personalized strategic planning for small and medium-sized businesses across various industries and markets. With
over 25 years of experience in strategic roles for major brands such as General Motors, Rolls-Royce, Cummins, Quest-Global and Qantas, Bob has a wealth of experience leading teams, coaching leaders, and developing scalable processes. He serves on the Boone County Chamber Board of Directors, lectures at Purdue University’s Certificate of Entrepreneurship Program, and holds a B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University.
