Susan Rinne, Chief Executive Officer
Susan Rinne is the Chief Executive Officer for LIFEDesigns, Inc. She was the Executive Director of Options, prior to the merger, and had been since 1998. Susan has over 30 years experience in disability services including 8 years providing training and technical support to other organizations in Indiana in transition services, supported employment and organizational change and 12 years in direct services. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Affairs with a concentration in public management from Indiana University.
Rinne is a founding member of INAPSE a chapter of APSE: The Network on Employment. She was responsible for one of the first business leadership networks in Indiana, DiversityWorks. During her tenure with Indiana University’s systems change grant in the 1990’s, she worked with 23 community rehabilitation providers and mental health centers through an organizational change process. As part of the Indiana Employment First Coalition, Rinne and colleagues launched Indiana’s efforts to move employment to the front of the state’s agenda in 2005. In 1998, she began work at Options and guided it through a shift from group home to supported living services. Rinne has been recognized by INAPSE, the Indiana Association for Community and Economic Development, the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, INARF, and the Bloomington Mayor’s office for her work in disability services.
Email Susan: srinne (at) lifedesignsinc.org
Bert Clemons, Chief Operating Officer
Bert Clemons is the Chief Operating Officer for LIFEDesings, Inc. He was the Executive Director of Christole, Inc. from 2006- 2012. Prior to that position he was the Director of Parents and Friends, Inc., and of Family Service of LaPorte in Northern Indiana. Bert has many years experience in disability services.
He holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from Indiana University and is Alumnus of Monroe County Leadership, Brown County Leadership and LaPorte County Leadership. He is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer from West Africa.
Email Bert: bclemons (at) lifedesignsinc.org
Nancy Crandall, Chief Financial Officer
Nancy Crandall is the Chief Financial Officer at LIFEDesigns, Inc. She was CFO at Options since 1998 and continues in that role for LIFEDesigns bringing over 25 years of experience in accounting and management that span the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Prior experience includes Staff Accountant for two accounting firms, Staff Accountant at a mental health clinic, Financial Counselor, Church Business Administrator, and nursing home Controller. Being able to apply the knowledge gained from her wide range of experience, Nancy is drawn to the management challenges in this industry, and it is the mission and vision of LIFEDesigns that keeps her here. Nancy holds an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University, and two undergraduate degrees; one in Business Management and the other in Accounting.
Email Nancy: ncrandall (at) lifedesignsinc.org
Marianne Stemm, Human Resource Director
Marianne Stemm is the Human Resource Director for LIFEDesigns, Inc. She was Human Resource Director at Christole since 2007 and continues in this role at LIFEDesigns. She graduated from IUPUI with a degree in Business Management and Human Resources and has over 25 years experience in HR and Payroll. She believes that HR is a customer service department and our job is to provide services that allow employees to do their own job to the best of their abilities, whether that’s training, resources, or even benefits that ease their concerns about life outside work. She enjoys helping employees find the right job, the best fit, so coming to work is something that excites them and brings them satisfaction, something they can pass onto to our customers.
Email Marianne: mstemm (at) lifedesignsinc.org
Danie Norris, Director of Support Services
Danie Norris is the Director of Support Services at LIFEDesigns. She began working at Options in 1996 as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and recently received our 15 year tenure award. Danie has had many different roles in the organization since she began. She has worked with people with disabilities nearly her entire life, previously in both summer camp and classroom settings. Danie enjoys promoting LIFEDesigns’ mission and being a resource to the community. She has always been an advocate for the people we serve. She is a graduate of Indiana University with a degree in recreation, with a specialization in Therapeutic Recreation. She is also an alumnus of Leadership Bloomington Monroe County.
Email Danie: dnorris (at) lifedesignsinc.org
Janessa Gerber, Director of Community Services
Janessa Gerber is the Director of Community Services at LIFEDesigns. She has been working with persons with disabilities for nearly 20 years. She was previously a Service Coordinator for Indiana’s Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services, has worked at two other adult service providers coordinating residential supports and was an independent case manager for persons receiving Medicaid Waiver services. Janessa attended Indiana University, majoring in Anthropology.
Email Janessa: jgerber (at) lifedesignsinc.org
Tiffany Pulkowski, Director of Residential Services
Tiffany Pulkowski is the Director of Residential Services at LIFEDesigns, Inc. After graduating from Tri-State University in 2004 with a degree in Criminal Justice with a focus in Psychology, she began working in the field of Mental Health as a Mental Health Technician. Tiffany has worked with children and adults with disabilities for 8 years. Prior positions include working as a Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professional and as Director of Program Operations for Christole. Tiffany has provided training to other services within the communities served by LIFEDesigns to help provide more positive experiences for persons with disabilities. Tiffany is an advocate in the communities served by LIFEDesigns for all individuals with special needs.
Email Tiffany: tpulkowski (at) lifedesignsinc.org
Leslie Abshier, Community Development Officer
Leslie (Leonard) Abshier is the Chief Development Officer at LIFEDesigns, Inc. As Chief Development Officer she builds partnerships with individuals and businesses in the community who support the work that LIFEDesigns does. She also does communications and marketing, helping LIFEDesigns to present itself well through various media outlets and through its printed materials. Leslie holds a Master’s degree in Public Affairs with a concentration in Nonprofit Management and Fundraising from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) and a Master’s Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from IU’s Kelley School of Business. She has worked in the nonprofit field for numerous agencies and has been with the agency for about a year, beginning as the Development Assistant for Options and currently as the Community Development Officer for LIFEDesigns. Leslie looks forward to working with community partners to strengthen the support for the people we serve.
Email Leslie: labshier (at) lifedesignsinc.org
Cindy Fleetwood, Executive Coordinator
Cindy Fleetwood began her tenure with Options, now LIFEDesigns, almost 13 years ago. She has an MA in Telecommunications and an MS in Counseling Psychology. As Executive Coordinator Cindy serves on the Executive Team at LIFEDesigns and has the pleasure of coordinating functions for our CEO, Susan Rinne. As Housing Options Manager Cindy has managed LIFEDesigns’ affordable housing program for nearly two years. She has earned the CAPS Designation (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist) to assist persons with aging in their homes and the SCS Certification (Site Compliance Specialist). Cindy has received additional training in fair housing, low income housing tax credits, managing RHTC compliance, creative aging, and completed the Permanent Supportive Housing Institute. Cindy also functions as the Volunteer Coordinator and Experience Works Host Contact, two essential functions given recent financial cutbacks affected staffing availability. Cindy hopes to continue to grow her housing experience with LIFEDesigns in the future.
Email Cindy: cfleetwood (at) lifedesignsinc.org
