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WHO WE ARE
Many children in Dubois County lack a "naturally occurring" mentor in their life.
That’s where Mentors for Youth comes in! We seek to match youth between the ages of 6 and 14 with caring adults (16 years or older) who wish to spend two hours every other week for one year together (although most matches last an average of 2.5 years!).
Mentors work with their mentees to establish goals and develop life skills, such as decision-making, problem-solving, and communication. They also engage in activities that promote positive youth development, such as agency sponsored outings, community service projects, and recreational activities.
OUR STAFF
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PAIGE MUNDY
Executive Director
Paige has lived in Dubois County for over 30 years. She graduated from Jasper High School in 2003, and earned a Masters in Social Work with a Minor in Psychology from USI. Paige was a Mentor in high school and remembers how impactful the experience was. She has dedicated her career to empowering our youth and strengthening communities, and is truly excited to continue that mission as the Executive Director of Mentors for Youth of Dubois County.
Over the years, Paige has worked in the mental health and public education space, with a primary focus on being an advocate for others and supporting them to become the best version of themselves. What draws Paige most to Mentors for Youth is the opportunity to help young people realize their potential through meaningful connections and guidance.
Paige and her family reside in Celestine. She has been married to her husband, Chase for 15 years and together they have 4 kiddos- Mackenzie, Lucy, Stella, and Henry. They enjoy time with their friends, exploring new places and family movie nights with lots of snacks.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JES KNUST
Client and Volunteer Coordinator
Jes Knust grew up in Birdseye, IN and graduated from Forest Park High School in 2010. She attended Oakland City University and received her Bachelor's in Psychology in 2014.
Jes went on to work in several fields of social work over the years such as special education, behavioral management, group home management for adults with disabilities, and child welfare.
Jes has been with Mentors for Youth since March of 2025 as the Client and Volunteer Coordinator. She also is a mentor for two youth in the program.
In her free time, Jes enjoys being with her daughter, spending time with her pets, going on Jeep rides with her wife, reading and writing books, and tending to her plants.
KENDRA WADE
PRESIDENT
Kendra joined the Mentors for Youth Board in 2024.She is the Talent Operations Coordinator at Peak Toolworks, where she thrives on managing and optimizing talent process. Originally from Wyoming, Kendra's journey led her to relocate to Nebraska during her middle school years. She graduated college from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a degree in Business Administration, emphasis on Marketing/Management.In 2022, Kendra embarked on a new chapter in Jasper, Indiana, where she embraced the vibrant community and its opportunities. Beyond her professional pursuits, Kendra is a fervent advocate for an active lifestyle, often spotted at the gym or exploring the great outdoors accompanied by her two dogs. In her free time Kendra likes to channel her energy into community involvement. As a member of the board for Mentors for Youth, she endeavors to create meaningful connections within the local community, aiming to inspire and uplift the younger generation through engagement and support.
ELISABETH AHLBRAND
VICE PRESIDENT
Elisabeth grew up in Jasper, Indiana and graduated from Jasper High School in 2015. She then went on to Indiana University and graduated with a degree in Secondary English Education in 2019. After college, she moved back to Jasper and taught English for five years--7th grade for three years and 11th/12th grade for two. During that time, she decided to pursue her Master's degree in Learning Design and Technology through Purdue University. Discovering her passion for corporate learning and instructional design, she decided to switch careers and began working at German American as a Senior Learning and Development Specialist in March 2024.
In her free time, she loves to read, travel, play pickleball, watch sports (Go Hoosiers), volunteer, and spend time with friends and family.Elisabeth has been a mentor through our program since April 2024. She decided to join the board because she is very passionate about helping kids of all ages and backgrounds reach their potential.
EMILY SCHITTER
SECRETARY
Emily grew up in Jasper, Indiana and graduated from Jasper High School in 2014. She then went on to Indiana University and graduated with an elementary and special education degree in 2018. Go Hoosiers!
After college she moved back to Jasper and has been with Holy Trinity Catholic School for the past eight years. She is currently teaching Kindergarten.
In her free time, she loves to travel, hike, go boating and spend time with family and friends.
Emily was a mentor through the Mentors for Youth program and has witnessed what a great impact the program has on our youth. Emily joined the board because she believes it is an outstanding program and wants to continue to watch it grow.
AMANDA DILLS
TREASURER
Amanda joined the Mentors for Youth Board in June of 2022. Soon after, she assumed the role of treasurer in October of 2022. She works as a controller for Ridetech Fox Factory. Amanda graduated with a Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting in 2020 and works as Controller for a local manufacturing company. Her favorite pastimes include baking, hiking, being outdoors, and auto racing… feeding her competitive nature and need for speed. Having grown up in a small town, Amanda knows how important it is to invest in the community’s youth and provide mentorship. She is excited to make a positive impact and serve the Mentors for Youth mission.
ELIZABETH MEHRINGER
Elizabeth is passionate about supporting youth mentorship and strengthening the community through meaningful connections and guidance. In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Elizabeth is a Realtor with RE/MAX Local, bringing five years of experience helping clients navigate the home buying and selling process. Her background includes serving as a medic in the U.S. Army during Operation Enduring Freedom, where she developed a strong commitment to service and resilience. She also holds a degree in interior design, allowing her to bring a creative and strategic perspective to real estate. Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her husband, Todd and their two sons, Owen (8) and Kylen (6), and takes pride in being actively involved in the community she calls home.
KEELIE DALL
Keelie Dall joined the Mentors for Youth Board in October 2023 and brings a strong passion for supporting children and families in the Jasper community. She grew up in Holland, Indiana, and graduated from Southridge High School in 2010 before earning her degree from Vincennes University. Keelie currently serves as a Property Manager with Ewing Properties, where she is committed to helping individuals and families find safe, stable places to call home.Now living in Jasper with her loving family, Keelie is a devoted mother of two and is deeply committed to advocating for children in the community. She is passionate about helping young people recognize their self‑worth, confidence, and potential, and she believes mentorship and positive relationships play a vital role in shaping strong futures. Keelie and her husband are active members of the Jasper community; her husband serves as a varsity assistant basketball coach for the Jasper Lady Wildcats. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and their three dogs.
SARAH SMITH JAMES
Sarah grew up in Jasper, Indiana and graduated from Jasper High School in 2017. She continued her education at Indiana State University, graduating in 2021. During this time, she started working at German American Bank, where she continued her career after graduating.In her free time, she enjoys spending time on the farm with her husband. They have a golden retriever (Wiley Mae) and a Mini Australian Shephard (Nala Jo) that enjoy the farm as much as they do!Sarah joined the fundraising committee at Mentors for Youth in 2024 to help raise awareness and funds to provide experiences for the kids that they will remember forever. In order to make more of an impact, she joined the Mentors for Youth Board.
MORGAN BLESSINGER-SENG
Morgan grew up in Ferdinand, Indiana and graduated as Valedictorian from Forest Park High School in 2010. She then went on to Indiana University where she graduated with a degree in exercise science in 2014. Go Hoosiers! After undergrad, Morgan attended Saint Louis University School of Law and earned her Juris Doctorate in 2018 with certificates in Health Law and Employment Law. Go Billikens!After passing the bar exam and becoming a licensed attorney in Missouri, Morgan stayed in Saint Louis and began working for Centene Corporation within the Ambetter Health product line, helping navigate complex state regulatory issues and mental health parity. She moved back to Jasper, Indiana with her husband Jeff (who grew up here) in the summer of 2024 after welcoming their first child, Sawyer, to raise her in this wonderful community, which is one of the reasons Morgan joined the Mentors for Youth Board of Directors in 2025.In her free time, Morgan enjoys spending much of it with her family, in-laws, and friends. She likes cooking, shopping, traveling, and cheering on the Hoosiers!
MEGAN COBB
Megan grew up in Jasper, Indiana and graduated from Jasper High School in 2005. She went to Indiana University graduating in 2009 and moving on to Indianapolis. She had spent last 15 years living and working in the area serving as a Learning and Development Manager for the Indiana Association of REALTORS®, where she focuses on curriculum development and training programs. Recently, Megan returned to her hometown of Jasper, eager to reconnect with family and friends while embracing all that the Jasper community has to offer. She looks forward to contributing locally and enjoying the unique experiences her hometown provides. Megan enjoys spending time with her daughter, Andi and staying active through a variety of activities. She joined the Mentors for Youth program driven by her strong belief that a person’s morals and values are shaped early in life and that guiding young people can make a lasting difference.
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MORGAN THACKER
Morgan grew up in Celestine, Indiana and graduated from Northeast Dubois High School in 2011. She then went on to Indiana State University and graduated with a Health Science and Public Health degree in 2015.
After college she moved back to Dubois County where she married her husband, and together they have two boys. Morgan works as a manager of Food Safety and Quality at
Wabash Valley Produce in Dubois and has been there for 10 years. In her free time, she loves spending time with family and friends, traveling, being active, and being outdoors.
Morgan was a mentor through the Mentors for Youth Program for 8+ years and decided to join the board in April 2026 because she has seen what a positive impact this
program has on the community’s youth. She is excited to invest her time with the program to continue to watch it grow.
JOHN SIEBERT
Advisor
John joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters Board in 1987 and was a founding board member. He joined Mentors for Youth as an advisor in November of 2022 and primarily supports the Board Development Committee.
John is a Consultant with Siebert Consulting and has been consulting nonprofit clients for over 15 years. He enjoys spending time with family and friends. He also likes gardening and outdoor activities. John and his wife Lisa or legal guardians for 2 young adults living in group homes.
In his free time he likes helping nonprofit organizations build capacity to serve more youth in our communities. It is John's wish to see Mentors for Youth thrive in our community and serve many more youth.
MAX VERKAMP
Advisor
Max joined the Mentors for Youth as an advisor to the Finance Committee in November 2022.
Max has a long history with Mentors for Youth, and it’s predecessor, Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Dubois County. He served on the board for a total of 11 years, including time as President, Vice-President, and Secretary. Max was also a mentor for 6 years and has continued to stay in touch with his mentee. Max is very passionate about the organization and the value it provides children in the community. He has continued to support the organization even when he hasn’t had a formal position on the board.
Max lives in Jasper and is currently the CEO of Indiana Furniture. He enjoys spending time and travelling with his wife and three children. Max also holds leadership positions with Friends of the Arts, the Jasper Partnership Commission, and the JHS Band Finance Committee.
DR. NANCY OTTE
Advisor
Nancy was involved in the formation of Big Brothers/Big Sisters in 1987. She has served on the Board of Directors for several different terms and has always stayed active especially in fundraising. She recently joined the board again in an advisory role.
Nancy is a retired optometrist who practiced in Jasper for
about 42 years. She has always enjoyed volunteering in the community and her church. She is also an active alumni volunteer for Indiana University. During retirement she now has more time to enjoy her hobbies – being outdoors, camping and kayaking, travelling, walking her fur-baby Jesse and all things IU!
Besides Mentors for Youth, Nancy also serves on the IU Alumni Association Executive Council and helps with Anderson Woods’ fundraisers. Nancy has a special place in her heart for Mentors for Youth and continues to volunteer because she says that it’s easy to find time to support something you love.
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