FUSE is pleased to announce that Sara Cummins has been promoted to Executive Director effective March 1. Sara joined FUSE as Development Associate in 2015. In March 2017 Sara was promoted to Development Director and has spent the past three years leading the fundraising efforts that allow FUSE to continue its mission. The Board of Directors has been working on an organizational restructure as part of this change. Both of Sara’s former positions with FUSE were part time. This restructure will allow Sara to continue doing what she loves working with donors while also taking on additional responsibilities for operations management and marketing as our full time Executive Director.
Board President Cheryl Blocher stated, “We are so happy to have Sara on board as our Executive Director. She has always been our first choice for the job, but life circumstances did not work for her to take this position last year. We are thrilled that this new alignment of duties makes it possible for Sara to move into a full-time position with FUSE. We look forward to having her lead the organization in our mission to empower people with disabilities and mental health needs so they can achieve their best life.”
Sara shared, “I am honored and grateful for this opportunity to expand my role with an organization that has deeply impacted me and my family. This new alignment allows me to continue doing the work I love sharing the significance of our organization with those who can help us fund our mission, as well as taking on new challenges with overseeing our programs and overall operations. It also puts us in alignment with similarly sized organizations whose Executive Directors also are responsible for funding their organizations. This position blends my passion for talking with people about FUSE with my desire to continue to grow and expand our reach to individuals and families who can benefit from the information, training, support and encouragement we offer. I can’t wait to start this new part of my journey with FUSE and our community!”
Sara is the parent of two young children with rare disorders. In 2013 Sara reached out to FUSE for resources and referrals to assist her son and family, and her passion for our organization was ignited as she connected with other families for support. Sara started volunteering for FUSE as a member of the Cruisin’ for FUSE Charity Motorcycle Ride in 2014. Sara left her career in the retail management industry to join FUSE part time in 2015. Sara has served as a parent representative on the First Steps Local Planning and Coordinating Council since 2014. Sara is a 2016 graduate of Leadership Shelby County and a 2017 graduate of Indiana’s Partners in Policymaking Academy, an eight month training program of the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities. Governor Holcomb appointed Sara to the Interagency Coordinating Council in 2018. In 2018 Sara became the first Indiana Early Childhood Leadership Parent Cohort with the Early Childhood Personnel Center (ECPC) and Division for Early Childhood (DEC). She also recently joined the Major Health Partners Family and Consumer Advisory Council.
Denise Arland, former Executive Director, left the position in 2019 when she relocated to the Chicago area. Arland co-founded the organization with Amy Borgmann in April 1996. “When you start an organization and pour yourself into it for over 20 years, it is more than just a job. I was hopeful that someone with equal passion for the mission would lead it with the same drive and desire to help people in our community and beyond. I am beyond thrilled that Sara has accepted the Executive Director position! Her knowledge, energy and commitment to the individuals we serve make her the perfect choice to lead FUSE into the future.”
As part of this transformation, the FUSE Board of Directors has restructured roles and responsibilities for all positions in the organization. Two new positions have been created, including Program Coordinator and Special Events Coordinator. Courtney Locke will transition into the Program Coordinator position, which will have primary responsibility for FUSE programming, including education and training events, adaptive swim, Destiny, FUSE-D for Dads, and our new young adult group. The Special Events Coordinator will take on the planning and organization of all big events, including all of our fundraisers, the Inspiring Abilities Expos, and the Barnyard Bash.
For assistance with programs or resources, families and individuals with disabilities can reach Sara at scummins@fuseinc.org or 317-462-9064. FUSE is located at 1133 W Main Street, Suite E, in Greenfield, sharing space donated by Borgmann Realty.
