The SCHC Story
The Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County was founded in 1985 when a group of Hamilton County residents identified a need in our community to make resources available for our seniors 55 and older. To help facilitate this mission, our first volunteers and advocates chartered our organization under the national Shepherd’s Center of America umbrella which has 55 affiliate organizations. Through the years, SCHC role in the community and scope of services has grown exponentially; however, our core mission remains the same, to provide programs and services to allow seniors to safely age in place for as long as possible.
In 2015, Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County Board of Directors recognized the need for additional programs to help our expanding senior population and adopted a new strategic plan to facilitate this growth. Toward this end, the Board hired Executive Director, Lauren Guynn, JD/LCSW.
Under Lauren’s leadership, the organization has grown from two programs, our signature Together Today Program, and our Community Caring Program to five programs that serve over one thousand seniors each year.
Our Board of Directors
Connie Chesney
Mona Euler
Brian Derrer
Duane Kamminga
Tonya Harvey
Melanie Fauth
Charity Inglis
Annie Lacy
Valerie Bruemmer, MD
Angie Light
Shelley O’Connell
Heather Perdue
Anne Poindexter
Jeff Hunt
Kristy Murphy
Meet our staff
LAUREN GUYNN // Executive Director
Lauren began her career in non-profit program management and development in 2007 with the National MS Society. While pursuing her law degree, she worked at the Indiana Bar Foundation and Indiana Pro Bono Commission. With a Master’s degree in social work and law degree, she joined SCHC in 2015 to merge her education and professional experiences.
JENNIFER MILLER // Director of Operations
Jennifer comes to Shepherd’s Center with 3 years of nonprofit experience and a decade of management experience. She has most recently worked with HAND, Inc. and the City of Westfield. Jennifer is excited to get to work as the new Director of Operations and looks forward to working with Hamilton County’s seniors.
LISA ALBANO // Programs Director
Lisa is a new resident to Hamilton County, but has a strong passion for helping the aging community. Lisa has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has worked in several roles in customer service, including an assisted living facility. Lisa brings great organizational skills with innovative program ideas.
Vicki Burdick // Director of Marketing and Events
Vicki Burdick is a life-long resident of Carmel, Indiana. She is a graduate of Butler University with a bachelor’s degree in Public and Corporate Communications and has spent her entire career in the marketing field. Vicki also has experience with senior service organizations as she is the former marketing director for Meals on Wheels of Central Indiana. Vicki is excited to bring her marketing communication skills, and passion for helping seniors, to the Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County.
NANCY BELCHER-SCHELL // Director of Leadership Services
Nancy is a lifelong resident of Hamilton County. She graduated from the IU Kelly School of Business with a Bachelor’s degree in marketing. She has been working directly with seniors for the past 10 years. She has served SCHC faithfully in many capacities, including Board Member, Executive Director, Director of Operations, Director of Marketing, and now Director of Leadership Services.
Savannah Meiss // Programs Manager
Savannah has been a resident of Hamilton County her whole life. She recently graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a minor in Sociology. She has experience working with non profit organizations as well as customer service roles. Savannah has a passion for helping others and looks forward to being part of such a great organization.
CAROLYN OMORI // Reaching Resources Manager
Carolyn has a deep-rooted professional background in ministry and has worked for several local churches like White River Christian Church, Northview Church, and Genesis Church. Carolyn has an Associate’s degree from IUPUI and enjoys helping people in their second half of life realize their full potential. Carolyn enjoys connecting older adults with resources to improve their lives.
NICOLA SCHAFER LCSW// Counseling Program Manager
Nicola is a Licensed Social Worker with her Master’s degree in Social Work from Saint Louis University. While her background has been working with families, her personal experience in advocating for her own family and aging parents has created a desire to focus her professional career on helping those in the second half of life. Nicola has great case management practice skills, as well as extensive advocacy skills.
DIANE SCHOPP // Reaching Resources Coordinator
Diane experienced the challenges of finding help for seniors firsthand as a teen when her own parents needed help. After graduating with a BA emphasizing recreation and social work, she has spent her career helping people ages 6-96, whether as a teachers’ aide with special needs children and troubled teens, or as a resource for seniors. She has previously worked with seniors in a nursing home and non-profit organizations connecting them to resources in their community. Simply put, Diane just likes to help people.
Lulu Sianez // Reaching Resources Coordinator
Lulu joined Shepherd’s Center in October of 2020.
She grew up with her grandmother and has a strong passion for helping those in need and our aging community.
She has her Bachelor’s degree in Social work and will be returning to IU this fall to obtain her Master of Social Work.
SALLY BAUER // Guardianship Program Case Manager
Sally Bauer is a Columbus, Ohio, transplant who relocated to Hamilton County in 2006. Sally is a people person and enjoys helping people of all ages. After spending time in the hospice industry, Sally recognized the need to advocate for seniors. Her job as Guardianship Program Case Manager allows her to help seniors stay healthy and independent.
Robin MacDougall // Guardianship Program Case Manager
Robin is a licensed social worker and holds both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work. She comes to The Shepherd's Center with ten years of experience providing a wide range of services to adults in a hospital setting in addition to home health and hospice care. Prior to joining the guardianship team, she was a volunteer in our Together Today Program.
2021 Annual Report
To find out more about what Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County is doing for older adults, please check out our 2021 Annual Report. If you have any questions about our Annual Report, please contact Lauren Guynn.