From January 14-19, 2019, Indiana’s Best Buddies staff traveled to Florida to join other staff members from across the nation for leadership training and development at the 2019 Best Buddies Staff Leadership Conference (BBSLC). This was a time to refocus as an organization and to recognize the work accomplished in furthering the Best Buddies mission.

This year, Indiana’s own Natalie Seibert was recognized as our staff member State Director of the Year for her tremendous efforts in Indiana. Natalie has dedicated the past 11 years to creating inclusive friendships, jobs, and leaders in Indiana. Heather Barnes, Senior Director of Operations, gives more insight into Natalie’s impact on Best Buddies.

“Natalie is a true leader both within her state as well as within the organization. Natalie is one of only a small, hand-selected leaders asked to represent the organization’s development efforts on our Five Stars Walk team. Five years ago, Natalie took on the role as state director, and in that time has constantly pushed and strived to elevate and expand the programs offered within Indiana. Three years ago, her advisory board told her they wanted to start a Citizens program, so Natalie went and found the money to start the Citizens program.  Then there was an interest in expanding programs in Indiana to offer supported employment services via the Best Buddies Jobs program, so Natalie started a Jobs program. In 2018 the combined walks budgets for Indiana was $172,410.  The Indiana team raised $195,219! The budget for the state’s Champion of the Year event was $199,00 and Best Buddies Indiana raised over $300K and exceeded the goal by over $100K. In her five years as state director, Natalie has hit the state’s revenue goal each year — a feat which is hard to accomplish in the competitive arena of fundraising. More importantly, however, Natalie is a caring supervisor and compassionate co-worker. Natalie shows true affection for her staff, our program participants and her peers across the nation. She is always willing to reach out with a helpful idea, lend a hand, or ask for assistance, all signs of a great team player.  Natalie is such a joy to work with and we’re so proud to honor her as our 2018 State Director of the Year”.

Congratulations, Natalie!