2021 Board of Directors

Kat Blankenbaker – 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 president, as the fundraising chair for ecoREHAB, sits on the Concerts on the Green committee for the town of Yorktown, and has been a proud girl scout troop leader for two troops totalling over 16 years.

Kat has no degrees from higher education but as 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 to 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. Her 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 freetime.

Dorica Young Watson – Vice President
Dorica Young-Watson is a certified Life Coach, community advocate, consultant and volunteer who is currently dreaming about her next opportunity after spending the last 13 year as the director of a relationship-based empowerment initiative and community trainer. Dorica is a Human Services graduate from Ivy Tech Community College and earned a Social Work Degree from Ball State University, School of Social Work. She is most recently recognized as an ATHENA International Leadership Awardee among MANY other accolades. 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, currently on the board of Women In Business Unlimited, 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, GG to Javier & JNilah and is married to her wonderful husband Eric.

Kyndra Haggard – Immediate Past President

Kyndra Haggard is the Senior Assistant Director at the Ball State University Career Center. She helps connect employers and students while assisting with the professional development of the students.  Kyndra thrives on ensuring students achieve post-graduation success. Kyndra has worked for the Career Center for seven years. She received her both degrees from Ball State; undergrad in Business Administration and master’s degree in Adult and Community Education. Kyndra lives on their family farm with her husband Spencer and two young children. In her free time, she enjoys running, traveling to Michigan and spending time with family.  She has been a board member for WIBU since 2015 and served as President in 2019.

Kristy Spence –  Treasurer
A long-time Muncie area resident, Kristy has been working in public accounting for more than 25 years. As an Audit Senior for Whitinger & Company LLC, her experience focuses on attestation work for both nonprofit and for-profit entities, with an emphasis on financial institutions’ compliance, 401(k) plan audits and various industry compilations, reviews and opinion audits. Kristy also assists clients with various bookkeeping and payroll issues, as well as payroll, business property, and income tax filings. Kristy received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Ball State University. She has served her community as a former Board Vice President for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware County and is currently Vice President/Treasurer of Bridges Community Services, Inc. Kristy is also a member of the Indiana CPA society. Kristy and her husband, Terry, enjoy traveling to various state and national parks, and attending a variety of the jazz shows/events offered in the Indianapolis area.

WaTasha Barnes Griffin – Secretary
WaTasha Barnes Griffin is Executive Director of the YWCA of Muncie, which houses the only crisis emergency shelter in Central Indiana, providing safe housing for women, children, and teens to rebuild after crisis. Barnes Griffin previously served the role of prevention program coordinator at A Better Way Services, where she established the Community Coalition against Violence, the coalition joins service providers from the public and private sectors to raise awareness of the damaging societal impact that crisis and violence has on families served in education, career, and community. She is a community champion for crisis prevention and education and works closely with the juvenile courts systems to combat human trafficking, the commercial sexual exploitation of youth, and supportive services for women. WaTasha serves on several boards and committees that promote peace, collaboration, and equality for all. She is currently the President of the Muncie Chapter of Indiana Black Expo, Inc., co-chair of the Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Team, and serves on the executive committee for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie. Most recently, she was honored in February 2018 with Senate Resolution Forty-Four by Senator Tim Lanane and the Indiana State Senate for her many contributions to Delaware and Madison Counties working to eliminate racism and empower women and children. She received the NAACP 2017 Community Service Award, and a nomination for the Athena Young Professional award. She’s been honored with numerous other awards including the Very Important Volunteer (VIVA) award from Muncie Rotary, and has been recognized with the Muncie City Council Community Service award, Human Rights Commission Appreciation award, the Prevent Child Abuse appreciation award, and the Vivian Z. Conley award honoring women who push for equality and empowerment of women and children. WaTasha Barnes Griffin is a certified family development specialist from the University Of Iowa School Of Social Work and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in public administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. She is married to Elder Shoka J. Griffin Sr. and the mother of Shoka II and Sa’Niya Griffin. They reside on the eastside of Muncie, Indiana.

Ilona Maine – Assistant Treasurer
Ilona is the Safety and Member Benefits Director for the Academy of Model Aeronautics and has been with the organization since 1999. She earned an Associate’s Degree in 2003 from Indiana Business College. Ilona joined the WIBU board of directors in January 2017. She’s attended WIBU for many years and is a previous Athena award nominee. She is a chartering member of the Hamilton Township Lions Club and attends Commonway Church. Ilona enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing with her dogs and cat, cycling, and volunteering in her community.

Amy Leffingwell – Marketing
Amy Leffingwell is Project Manager at Farmhouse Creative, and House Manager at Muncie Civic Theatre. Amy is passionate about the arts and is thankful that she is able to be creative in both of her 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, Muncie OUTreach, and the advisory committee for PathStone Indiana. 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.

Jade Poor – Marketing

Jade Poor, Local Store Marketer, for Texas Roadhouse in Muncie.  She helps Texas Roadhouse grow by partnering with local organizations, managing social media outlets, and supporting in store sales and promotions.  Jade loves to help Texas Roadhouse collaborate with the local community, schools and businesses to assist with fundraising opportunities.  Jade has worked with Texas Roadhouse as well as their sister brand, Bubba’s 33, for the past 8 years.  Jade holds her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Ball State University.  She lives in Muncie with her husband, Jay, and son (with one more on the way).  In her free time, she enjoys hiking state parks, visiting her family in Pennsylvania, antiquing, and fishing.

Dawn Hines

Dawn Hines is a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones. Her office is in Muncie, Indiana. She helps families organize, grow, protect and transfer wealth to meet their financial goals. Dawn believes everyone should understand their investments and have an ally in the ever changing investment landscape. She graduated from Ball State University and completed her MBA at Indiana Wesleyan University. Dawn holds a series 7, series 66, and Indiana insurance license. Dawn and her family enjoy traveling, boating, and being outdoors.

Kayla Kreigh
Kayla Kreigh is a Mortgage Loan Officer at Northwest Bank where they help families purchase, refinance, or build a home. Kayla believes that there is a path to home ownership for everyone and is passionate about helping her clients achieve their dream of owning a home. Kayla has worked in the financial industry for 8 years and is a member of Cardinal Success BNI and Mid-Eastern Indiana Association of Realtors. She serves the community by volunteering at Habitat for Humanity through the annual Women Build. Kayla completed Mortgage Lending School through the Indiana Bankers Association in 2016. Kayla lives in Gaston with her husband Eric and two fur babies, Stella and Daisy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, checking out local shops and flea markets, and trying to master new craft projects.

Krista Baker
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.

Marchal Hudson
Marchal Hudson, SPHR, is a Muncie native, BSU alum with a master’s in communication – organizational & professional communication development and a bachelor’s in bachelors in management with a focus in Human Resources. Currently employed at Ball State University as the Assistant Director of Unified Technology Support with 39 years of dedicated service to the university under her belt. Marchal currently serves on the WIBU and the Greater Muncie, IN Habitat for Humanity boards. She is a member of the Muncie Rotary Club, BSU United Way Steering Committee, HR volunteer liaison for UWDCHR, and past board president of United Way of Delaware County and Motivate Our Minds. Marchal is also a 2018 V!VA Award winner and serves on other BSU affiliated committees and teams. Marchal is a 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. Her recent motto: “Live life!”

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 spends her free time with her husband Richard and their 2 furbabies, Abby and Lucy.

Kyleigh Mazer

Kyleigh Mazer is a Business Coach with the ActionCOACH brand. She helps growing businesses navigate new challenges and successfully reach their scaling goals. One of the things she enjoys most is helping people build a business they are proud of and a life they love. She has served as a Business Advisor with the Indiana Small Business Development Center as the youngest advisor in the state. Kyleigh holds certifications as a facilitator/coach with Gallup CliftonStrengths, FourSight Innovation, LEGO® Serious Play®, and the Entrepreneurial Mindset Profile. She also holds two degrees from Ball State University with an undergraduate degree in Entrepreneurial Management, Marketing, and Leadership, and her MBA as well. She is very excited to be an “Outstanding Venture Plan” award recipient from her pass/fail undergraduate program. In her free time, Kyleigh enjoys spending time at the lake reading, jogging, and playing board games with her friends and family.

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 undergrad in Psychology and Communications from Edgewood College in Madison, WI, and masters 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.