Joe Jordan

President and CEO

Joe is a lifetime resident of Fort Wayne with over 26 years experience at the executive management level with the primary focus on youth and family development. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Indiana Institute of Technology and a Masters of Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. He is a BGCA Advanced Executive Leadership graduate, a graduate of Leadership Fort Wayne and is the recipient of the 2017 BGCA Professional of the Year award and the 2019 BGCA Heart & Soul Award. Joe sits on numerous boards including Fort Wayne United, a high profile effort to reduce street violence between law enforcement and youth.

“I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to work for such an awesome organization and be part of this tremendous movement. I am excited because of the relevance and the impact we are having on thousands of lives. Each day we walk through the doors of the Boys & Girls Clubs, we have an opportunity to impact a life. Everything we do is about the children.”

Christopher Crease

Chief Operations Officer

ccrease@bgcfw.org
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Christopher joined BGCFW in April 2023 bringing 25+ years of executive-level operations, fund development/grant administration programming, business development, and human resources experience. He oversees the organization’s operations and programs including its policies, legal compliance, contracts, vendor relations, and leads initiatives to strengthen employee performance management, professional development, and positive work culture. Christopher earned his B.S in Kinesiology from University of Louisiana – Monroe and Masters of Education from University of Phoenix. He has worked in K-12, higher education, the private and nonprofit sectors, focusing on strengthening operations to support team performance in the health, education, and communications sectors.

Debby Stellwagen

Vice President of Resource Development and Marketing

dstellwagen@bgcfw.org
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Debby joined the BGCFW in early 2016. A graduate of Concordia University in Chicago with a BA in Communications, she has over 28 years experience as an Executive Assistant and Event Manager, including extensive experience in media relations and event planning.

“It is so energizing to combine my love of children, passion for helping the less fortunate and the skills I have developed over the last quarter century to make a significant impact on the future of these young men and women.“

Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Workforce Development

ngray@bgcfw.org
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Nick joined BGCFW in the fall of 2022. He was a First-Generation student who graduated from IPFW with a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Prior to joining BGCFW, Nicholas served as the Director of Outreach Programs for the College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science and as the Director of the TRIO Upward Bound Programs at Purdue Fort Wayne. He was also a teacher and school administrator for Fort Wayne Community Schools.

Nicholas is an avid sports fan, cheering on the Indiana Hoosiers and the Chicago Bears. He also loves to travel, especially to the Caribbean.

DIANA SWAYZE

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

dswayze@bgcfw.org
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Diana joined the BGCFW in June of 2013 and oversees all programming. She has worked over 26 years helping children and families in need reach their full potential. She graduated from Oakland City University in 1991 with a Bachelors of Science. She has experience in the implementation of non-traditional teaching and coaching and brings those skills to the BGCFW.

“The opportunity to work at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne with the children and parents in our community, continues to be a highlight of my career. BGCFW’s mission exemplifies my personal and professional pursuit to assist anyone to reach their full potential through experiencing positive new opportunities. Being a part of our children’s support and seeing them succeed, is so rewarding.”

RONNIE LINDSEY

Senior Regional Director of Safety

rlindsey@bgcfw.org
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Ronnie is a Fort Wayne native and graduate of North Side High School. He earned his BA in Business Management from Simpson College in Indianola, IA. After working for 15 years in the insurance industry and serving as a mentor and basketball coach in his community, he discovered his passion for working with children. Ronnie joined the Boys & Girls Club in 2014 with a goal of making a difference in the lives of kids.

“I enjoy coming to work at the Boys & Girls Club and interacting with the kids. I want to pass on things that I have learned through experience. I look forward to coming to work every day.”

Dana Martin

DIRECTOR OF GRANT ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

dcmartin@bgcfw.org
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Dana joined the BGCFW in December of 2018. She graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a BA in Sociology. Having worked in a variety of capacities within the Club, the grant writing position felt like a natural next step in her contribution to BGCFW.

"Coming to the Club each day is an opportunity to learn, grow and share with everyone I encounter. Opportunity and progress presents at the Club every day and I feel fortunate to be a part of it."

Catherine Knight

hr

cknight@bgcfw.org
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Catherine Knight is an Indiana Hoosier, born in Fort Wayne. She has an Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies, a certificate in Human Resources, and working on a technical certificate in Business Administration. Her future goal is to get a Bachelor’s in Business Administration while working at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne.

“I love working at the Club and seeing the children every day. They bring a certain joy and happiness to the workplace. I consider it a privilege to work here and assist the Club to succeed in its goals and mission.”

Our Staff