Theta Foundation has a professional staff headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The staff works with the Board of Trustees to execute the vision and mission of Theta Foundation.
Executive Director – Jennifer Kendall Pendleton (Delta Sigma/Ball State)
Director of Finance – Donna Heinekamp
Manager of Communication – Meredith McLaughlin (Eta Iota/University of San Diego)
Manager of Programs – Gaylena Merritt
Administrative Coordinator – Cindy Shaffer Thoennes (Alpha Chi/Purdue)
Development Assistant – Phyllis Barnaby (Alpha Chi/Purdue)
Development and Programs Coordinator – Tina Thompson
Jennifer Kendall Pendleton
Delta Sigma/Ball State
Executive Director
- Serves as Chief Executive Officer of Theta Foundation
- Directs, implements and fulfills the mission of Theta Foundation
- Accounts for the success and efficiency of asset development and programs facilitated by Theta Foundation
- Anxiously awaits the day her rock-star husband and 90s grunge make their comebacks
Donna Heinekamp
Director of Finance
- Serves as Chief Financial Officer
- Directs and oversees Theta Foundation’s strategic financial, investment and administrative operations
- Facilitates and supervises employee benefit programs, contracts, audits and items that lead to the success and efficiency of Theta Foundation operations
- Enjoys her new role as grandma and keeping up with the youngest addition to the Heinekamp family.
Eta Iota/Univ. of San Diego
Manager of Communication
- Sets strategy, with trustee liaison, for Theta Foundation communications and oversees Theta Foundation's visual identity
- Supports Theta Foundation strategic development with the executive director and Board of Trustees
- Manages the design and development of all internal and external communication efforts including Theta Foundation publications, e-mails and mailings, web pages, and Facebook and Twitter pages
- Loves dogs, especially mini dachshunds; originally from Indianapolis but misses California and all her Eta Iota sisters every day!
Manager of Programs and Communication
- Works with trustee liaisons to establish and update Theta Foundation scholarship and grant policies in accordance with IRS guidelines and best practices
- Manages scholarship and grant application processes and recipient notification
- Oversees, with trustee liaisons, the evaluation of scholarship and grant applications and recipient selection
Cindy Shaffer Thoennes
Alpha Chi/Purdue
Administrative Coordinator
- Ensures that Theta Foundation donors recieve timely acknowledgement and recognition
- Executes timely entry of gifts received into database
- Prepares reports, provides customer service and other tasks to support the giving process at Theta Foundation
- Serves as executive assistant to the Executive Director
- Serves as the unofficial junk food distribution specialist for Theta Foundation trustees and staff
Phyllis Barnaby
Alpha Chi/Purdue
Development Assistant
- Supports the Director of Development
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Assists with the Theta Foundation stewardship program
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Helps donors with questions regarding gifts and established funds
- Appreciates all things NASCAR, particularly when they involve the #48 car
Tina Thompson
Development and Programs Coordinator
- Provides project assistance to development and programs of Theta Foundation
- Supports Director of Development and Manager of Programs and Communication with administrative needs
- Serves as expert in database and systems within Theta Foundation operations
- Keeps an extra set of keys for when she locks hers in her car, a tip from her buddies at the local towing company
