2022 Board of Directors

Dorica Young Watson – President

Dorica Young-Watson is a certified Life Coach, Community Advocate, Trainer and Director of Community Engagement at Open Door Health Services. 

She started her higher education journey at Ivy Tech Community College and earned a Social Work Degree from Ball State University, School of Social Work.  She holds many professional certifications and was the 2019 ATHENA International Leadership awardee. 

Dorica is passionate about people having served on many youth/family focused boards and committees in Delaware County. She is a member of The Church of the Living God, Co-Chair for Juneteenth Muncie and Board President of Women In Business Unlimited, WIBU. Additionally, Dorica she serves on the board of Muncie OUTreach, an advisory board member for the Ball State University Social Work Department and a dedicated youth mentor.She is the mother of three, Jerren, Justin and Joslyn, G.G. to Javier & JNilah and is married to her wonderful husband Eric.

Amy Leffingwell – Vice President

Muncie native Amy Leffingwell is Project Manager at Farmhouse Creative, and House Manager at Muncie Civic Theatre. Amy is passionate about the arts and is glad that she is able to be creative in both positions. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Ball State University. Amy believes advocating for her community is important and serves on the board of directors for WIBU and Muncie OUTreach. She also leads tours of downtown Muncie to Ball State University Orientation groups. In her free time, she enjoys participating in theatre and traveling with the Spirit of Oz acting troupe as the Wicked Witch of the West and Miss Gulch. She has served on WIBU’s board since 2019.

Kat Blankenbaker – Past President
Kat B is a broker with Viking Realty. Her office is located at Madjax downtown Muncie. She works fiercely to help people find their place of peace by walking them through buying or selling their home. Kat believes everyone should have a personal cheerleader and confidant as they walk through this emotional process.

She loves her community and lends a hand in any way she can. She currently serves as WIBU’s past president, as the President ecoREHAB, Co-chairs the Concerts on the Green committee for the town of Yorktown, and has been a proud girl scout troop leader for two troops totaling over 16 years.

Kat has no degrees from higher education but has had the blessing to learn from amazing leaders both local and from afar. The one choice that changed her life was joining Mary Kay in 2005. It was the catalyst to seeing what was inside and the beginning of a lifelong passion to think new thoughts.

Kat is extremely passionate about her friends and family and looks for ways to live on purpose building meaningful relationships. She and her husband Dan live in Yorktown and enjoy spending time eating, laughing, playing games, traveling, camping, and listening to music to name just a few of the things they enjoy, especially when they can do any of those things with their combined six children. Kat loves reading and doing anything outside in her free time.

WaTasha Barnes Griffin – Secretary
WaTasha Barnes Griffin is the CEO of YWCA Central Indiana. She works tirelessly to eliminate racism and empower women and families in her communities and beyond. She inspires all to turn experiences of injustice and inequality into leadership and power. WaTasha is uniquely skilled at bringing diverse groups of people together across race, gender, class, and sector in timely calls of action.

She has been recognized for her accomplishments and contributions. Most
recently, she was presented with Senate Resolution Forty-Four by Senator Tim Lanane and the Indiana State Senate. WaTasha was named the 2018 Athena International Professional Leadership recipient for Delaware County, Indiana. WaTasha is a certified family development specialist from the University of Iowa School of social work and is currently working on her master’s degree in public administration at Indiana Wesleyan University.
She is a native of Muncie and is the wife of Elder Shoka Griffin Sr., and the mother of Shoka Griffin II, and Sa’Niya Griffin.

Krista Baker – Treasurer

Krista Baker is the Administrative Coordinator and Assistant to the Director at the Ball State University Career Center. She provides administrative support to the Director and the rest of the staff.  Krista really enjoys helping others and with working with her team, it has allowed her to assist the team so they may connect and empower students. She plays a large role in leading the student workers within the office as well.  Krista has worked for Ball State for ten years now, six of those years with the Career Center. Krista received two Associates degrees from Indiana Business College and is currently working towards her Bachelor of General Studies that includes four minors. Krista is a Muncie native and passionate about spending quality time with her son, family and friends.  She enjoys working out, shopping and traveling when she is able.  She is a new addition to the board as of 2021 and a member of WIBU since 2018. 

Christy Baker

Christy Baker is a certified personal trainer and an Institute for Integrative Nutrition health coach. She works with clients to help them find peace with where they are on their fitness/life journey while connecting them to ways they can improve their health and fitness goals by focusing on things other than weight. 

Christy currently trains clients at Big Time Barbell where she is the Vice President of the non-for profit gym that utilizes health & fitness as a tool for recovery as well as the new Community Sports & Wellness in Pendleton.

Christy thrives on helping people see the potential in themselves that they don’t see yet and using that to make lasting change mentally and physically. Christy has worked in the health and fitness field for over a decade. She has an associates degree in Office Management and Business Administration from Ivy Tech and has years of education in the fitness field from group exercise certifications like Zumba, STRONG, and Piyo to holding a license in group fitness from A.C.E. (American Council of Exercise) as well as a license in personal training from A.C.E. 

When Christy isn’t at the gym she loves spending time with her family, visiting with friends and staying active herself by participating in 5k’s, Strongman competitions, and practicing new ways to move the body. You can find Christy on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram as Christy B Fitness.

Marchal Hudson

Marchal Hudson, BS, MA, SPHR, is a Muncie native and alum of Ball State University.  She is currently employed as the Assistant Director, Unified Technology Support in Information Technology, BSU. Marchal currently serves on the WIBU and the Greater Muncie, IN Habitat for Humanity boards and she is a member of the BSU United Way Steering Committee, One Ball State Ambassadors, LEAD Program Instructors, Chic Innovate, and past Board President of United Way of Delaware County, and Motivate Our Minds.  Marchal is also a 2018 V!VA Award winner and volunteers across campus and in Muncie.  Marchal is doting grandmother, loves to travel and experience life on its happiest level.  She considers herself an optimist, a champion of service, and believes a positive attitude brings forth positive outcomes.  Marchal’s favorite quote is, “Live life before you die!”

Jennifer Jas

Jennifer Jas is the chief editing officer at Words With Jas, offering editing services for nonfiction books and business materials. She loves helping writers, authors, and world-changers ensure their messages are brilliant, engaging, and accurate. Jennifer has edited over 200 published books. Before starting her full-service editing company in 2017, she served as a freelance editor and proofreader for fifteen years while working in corporate communications. Jennifer earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism. In her free time, she runs barefoot (as the season allows), writes haiku, and visits her two adult daughters in Denver and West Palm Beach. She is grateful to serve on the WIBU board as of 2022.

Kayla Kreigh

Kayla Kreigh is a Senior Loan Officer at Ruoff Mortgage where they help families purchase, refinance, or build a home. Kayla believes that there is a path to homeownership for everyone and is passionate about helping her clients achieve their dream of owning a home. She loves being able to walk them through the complete mortgage process, assisting with everything from beginning to end.  

Kayla has worked in the financial industry for 9 years starting briefly as a bank teller after that working in loan service then finally transitioning to lending. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for Woman in Business Unlimited, Kayla is the Secretary/Treasurer for Cardinal Success BNI group, and a member of the Mid-Eastern Indiana Association of Realtors where she serves on the social committee.  

Kayla lives in Gaston with her husband Eric and two fur babies, Stella and Daisy. In her free time, Kayla enjoys spending time with family, checking out local shops and flea markets, and trying to master new craft projects.

Ilona Maine

Ilona Maine is the Clubs Director for the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Inc (AMA). She works with 2,000 chartered clubs who are enjoying flying model aircraft in an established and safe environment. She also oversees the organization’s insurance benefit program providing coverage to the organization’s 165,000 individual members, clubs, and property owners nationwide. Ilona has been with AMA for 22 years and enjoys meeting, assisting, and interacting with model aircraft enthusiasts nationwide. She earned her Associate’s degree from Indiana Business College in 2003. Despite learning English as a secondary language, she graduated valedictorian of her class. Ilona lives in Albany with her rescues, two dogs and two cats. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and cuddling her first grandchild, Wyatt, who was born in March of 2021. She also enjoys cycling and has participated in several cycling events in Indiana and Iowa. 

Laura Medows

Laura Medows is the Vice President of Information Systems at Open Door Health Services.  She oversees the clinical and communication systems that provide Open Door with data used in performance improvement and strategic planning.  Laura finds success by impacting positive change and coaching others through the change process.  Laura has 16 years of experience working in non-profit healthcare.  She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Taylor University and is certified in both LDI and RBA process improvement.  When she isn’t working, Laura is enjoying time with her family, including her partner James, two daughters Jasmine and Cheyanne, and her son  Chad.  

Amy Sargent

Amy Sargent is a born and raised Muncie woman. While spending most of her career as an elementary school teacher, the pandemic required a pivot. After nearly 2 decades, she left the classroom and started her own businesses as a health coach and Cabi stylist. Amy and her husband Matt have a son, Zachary. Their favorite family activity is spending summers on the lake at Amy’s parents house. Amy is excited to be part of the 2022 WIBU board to help promote inclusivity  and empower women to find their voice. 

Jessica Shrout

Jessica Shrout is the owner of Circle Three Branding: a marketing agency that helps waste and recycling companies (and a few others) tell their story. Jessica knows the secret to marketing lies within human communication as she leads brands through their journey to better connect with their audiences. Jessica is an award-winning consultant and speaks globally on branding, marketing, and communication. She earned her Masters Degree from Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. She is also a Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation Fellow. In her free time, Jessica keeps bees, knits, reads, and collects books on mythology from all cultures.

Krista Sides

Krista Sides is a 20+ year veteran Cosmetologist, and is the owner of Chameleon Salon Suites. She believes in the power of looking good, making you feel good, and LOVES connecting with her clients from behind the chair. Krista is also the owner of Chameleon College of Beauty Culture, where she focuses on helping others gain self-sufficiency through beauty culture education. She has been honored to be an ATHENA Young Professional Recipient, a Top 20 Under 40, and has received multiple corporate partnership awards for her work in our community. Krista acquired her Cosmetology license at PJ’s College of Cosmetology, Instructor license at the Muncie Area Career Center, and her Barber license at Grace Beauty and Barber College. Krista feels her best self when serving her community.

Lindsey Speer

Lindsey Speer is the Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation at Ball State University. A native of Wisconsin.

Lindsey fell in love with the Ball State community during her graduate program. Having spent 14 years in the Office of Admissions, Ball State (and Muncie) has become her home and she’s a proud Cardinal! She loves the energy on campus, the welcoming atmosphere, and the opportunities available within the community. Lindsey received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Communications from Edgewood College in Madison, WI and master’s in Administration in Higher Education from Ball State. 

Lindsey lives in Muncie. In her free time, she’s active with her church, can be found enjoying the great outdoors, traveling, volunteering, and spending time with her family. She received the Young Athena award in 2014 and joined the board in 2021.