DREAM Alive Staff
Eric Müller,
President & CEO
Eric Müller join DREAM Alive’s staff as the Program Director in 2010 before growing into the Executive Director, and now CEO role. Under Eric’s leadership, DREAM Alive’s program has grown from idea to implementation and has grown from serving 20 students per year, to serving over 600 students per year. Eric graduated from Taylor University in 2008 and Purdue University (MBA) in 2020. Before he joined DREAM Alive in 2010, he served as a youth pastor in Indianapolis and a co-director for “City-Life,” a faith-based after-school program for at-risk youth. As CEO for DREAM Alive, he leads the development, management, and advancement of the organization. He has a passion for the city and for leading and investing in young people. Eric and his wife Amanda have three sons. In addition to investing in others, Eric enjoys DJing, playing flag football, and spending time with his friends & family.
Stephen Smith,
Vice President of Programs
Stephen graduated with a B.A. in Tourism Convention and Event Management at Indianapolis University-Purdue University Indianapolis in 2008. He went on to work with a college ministry for five years at his Alma Mater. During his college ministry experience, Stephen developed a heart to help counsel people that led him to get another B.A. in Biblical Counseling at Crossroads Bible College. In the years of completing his second degree, he volunteered his time with DREAM Alive at Harshman Magnet Middle School. Stephen’s desire to reach middle school students grew and he transitioned to working with DREAM Alive full time in August of 2014. As the Program Director for DREAM Alive, he cultivates relationships with parents, students, and faculty, leads the after school sessions, and oversees the high school and middle school programming with a focus on the middle school program at Harshman Magnet Middle School and Arsenal Tech.
Claire Bastian, Director of Operations
Claire was born and raised in Indianapolis and graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Public Relations and minor in Communication Studies and Marketing. She has spent the majority of her career working in the non-profit sector as a Marketing and Administrative professional. After spending the last decade living in various states, Claire is thrilled to be back in her hometown of Indianapolis. As the Director of Operations, she is eager to get more involved in the local community and further advance the mission of DREAM Alive. Claire is married to her high school sweetheart, Matt, and they have three children together - Olivia, Owen and Jacob. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, getting outside for walks and hikes and cheering on her kids at their numerous sports games.
Jill Patrick,
Volunteer Engagement Director
Jill grew up in Northeastern Ohio and graduated from Baldwin Wallace University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Jill has worked in teaching, sales, and college admissions, and has over twenty years of volunteer experience. Within her passion for service and volunteering, she has worked with organizations such as Meals on Wheels, local soup kitchens, and numerous local youth-based non-profits, and presently sits on the executive board of the Noblesville Schools Education Foundation. Jill and her husband, Todd, have been married for 25 years, and together they have one daughter, Lauren, who currently attends George Washington University in Washington, DC. As the Volunteer Engagement Director, Jill looks forward to bringing her unique blend of education, corporate connectivity, and community involvement to help build relationships with Dream Alive mentors and scholars.
Nicole Watkins, Grant & Impact Director
Nicole was born and raised in Terre Haute and graduated from Indiana State University with a bachelor degree in Health Administration, a minor in Business Administration and a Medical Sales Certificate. She continued her education at Indiana Wesleyan University obtaining her Master of Public Health degree. Nicole has been working writing grants and managing grant programs since 2018 that positively impact the health and well-being of rural Indiana residents. Nicole is excited to switch her focus to reducing disparities beyond the health sphere to focus on youth and families as a whole. Nicole and her husband, Luke, enjoy spending time with their daughter and Golden Retriever.
Sierra Twigg,
M.S. Site Director
Sierra joined DREAM Alive in August of 2023 after graduating from Taylor University with a degree in Orphans and Vulnerable Children & Global Studies. During her summer breaks in college, she worked with a faith-based organization focused on providing caring role models, teaching life skills, and developing student leaders. This grew her passion for youth and providing mentorship during the transitional years of their lives. Sierra is excited to work with middle school students and support them as they achieve their individual goals while creating authentic relationships. Sierra currently serves as the Site Director at Howe Middle School.
Keon Dowdell,
High School Director
Keon graduated from Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis with a degree in Communication Studies along with a minor in Theater and Performance Arts in 2015. Keon started serving as a DREAM Coach for DREAM Alive the summer of 2012. He started to develop a passion to for the kids so he kept volunteering throughout his college years until the year 2014 when he went on staff as an intern starting off at Harshman Magnet Middle School. Today, he currently serves as our High School Director.
Adriana Hernandez,
M.S. Site Director
We are excited to welcome Adriana to the DREAM Alive staff as our very first alumni to join the team! Adriana completed the DA continuum of programming from 7-12th grade and then returned as a volunteer seeking different networking opportunities. While volunteering she developed a deep passion for working with DA scholars and decided to pursue a full-time position as a Middle School Site Director. With a similar background to many DA scholars, Adriana hopes to connect and be a strong support system for them. Adriana looks forward to building strong and healthy relationships that scholars feel they can always rely on! Adriana is currently the Site Director at Paramount Englewood Middle School.
Andy Conrad,
H.S. Development Director
Andy graduated from IUPUI in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. While in college, he began working part-time with elementary school students in an afterschool program. This is where Andy discovered his passion for working with and serving youth and their families. Andy obtained his Master’s degree in School Counseling in 2021. Andy's time spent in the school counseling program led him to realize that he wanted to make a career out of helping students discover their passions and plans post-graduation. He loves cultivating relationships with high school students and their families and helping them get set on a career path.
Derian Parker,
M.S. Site Director
Derian originally began his journey in Dream Alive as a volunteer during the summer of 2023. Derian’s volunteer experience reignited his interest in working with youth and encouraged him to continue working with DA throughout the school year as a Middle School Intern. During this time, Derian developed dozens of strong relationships with our Middle School scholars at our Arlington and Paramount sites. This path eventually led him to accept a full time position as a Site Director at Northwest Middle School.
Destiney Lee,
Middle School Director
Destiney holds a BA in Psychology and Minor in Cultural Diversity from Indiana-University Purdue University Indianapolis. Her desire to promote mental health and advocate for her community is what led her into the field of social work. Destiney spent time as a Mental Services Provider and recognized that she closely connects with the excitement, hope, and dreams youth have for their lives. Destiney aspires to build authentic relationships with DA scholars, walking alongside them as they grow and succeed in their unique ways. Destiny is currently the Site Director at Arlington Middle School and also oversees the entire Middle School program at DA.
Board of Directors
Tarik Glenn,
Founder & President Emeritus
Tarik Glenn spent ten memorable seasons with the Indianapolis Colts as a key part of its dominating offense. Four years into his career with the Colts, Tarik began to dream about how he could use his platform as a football star to raise up the next generation of leaders. Soon there after Tarik and his wife Maya founded DREAM Alive. Tarik currently works for the University of California Berkley in Oakland, CA.
Charles Akinbola, Board President, AVP Talent Development, Elements Financial
Charles Akinbola served as the Program Director for DREAM Alive for six years before making the jump to the board. Charles graduated from Purdue University in 2012 with a degree in English Education. He oversaw the program at all four sites: Harshman Magnet Middle School, Arsenal Technical High School, Arlington High School, and John Marshall Middle School. Charles also helped create and manage the Expectation program, and he continues to work closely with the program. His love for the students helped shape DREAM Alive, and he hopes to continue his impactful efforts on the board. He currently is the Assistant Vice President for Talent Development at Elements Financial.
Suzanne Gaidoo, Assistant General Counsel – Calumet, Inc.
Suzanne Gaidoo is Assistant General Counsel for Calumet, Inc. Suzanne has more than 20 years of experience as a practicing lawyer in the Indianapolis community. Suzanne has a wide range of experience in the areas of compliance, risk management, corporate transactions and corporate governance. In her free time, Suzanne enjoys traveling, writing and spending time with her twins, Josie and Davis.
John Siefer, Retired, Citizens Energy Group
John has served with DREAM Alive in a volunteer capacity since 2016, and formerly the Director of Internal Audit for Citizens Energy Group. John has over 25 years of experience in leading non-profits and has a passion to serve his local community. With 12+ years of experience in leading his own business consulting organization, a business undergrad from Taylor University, an MBA from Indiana University, as well as a plethora of other professional certifications, John brings with him a wealth of wisdom, leadership and knowledge to DREAM Alive.
Patricia Shunk, Director of Global Order Management & Billing, Genesys
Patricia is a graduate from Ball State University where she was an All American track athlete, Olympic qualifier, and recently was inducted into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame. She and her family recently moved to the Indianapolis area from Atlanta.
Matt Conrad,
Board VP, Attorney, Frost Todd Brown
Matt Conrad is an attorney at Frost Brown Todd and holds various leadership roles in other local organizations. Recognized in the Indianapolis Business Journal’s 2012 “Forty Under 40” Award, Mr. Conrad is deeply involved in the Indianapolis Community, serving as the director of the Indiana Automotive Council and on numerous boards and associations, including the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Economic Development Association, the Urban Land Institute, Outreach, Inc., and Center for Leadership Development
Brandon Himes, Assistant Truck Branch Manager, Enterprise
Brandon Himes is the Assistant Truck Branch Manager for Enterprise. He is a graduate of Indiana State University and has always had a passion for investing in youth. Brandon began serving with DA in a volunteer capacity in 2013, became a DREAM coach mentor in 2014, joined our Young Professional Board in 2019, and was elected to our Board of Directors in December 2021. He has provided so much to our scholars, program, and organization over these past 9 years, and we are excited to have him on our board of directors.
Kim Borges,
VP of Marketing & Public Relations, Regions Bank
Kim Borges is a Market Public Relations Specialist for Regions Bank. A Hoosier native, Kim is a graduate of Ball State University and is currently pursuing her Graduate Certificate in Philanthropic Studies from the IUPUI Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Kim is engaged with several Indianapolis not-for-profits, including Teachers’ Treasures, Dress for Success Indianapolis, Second Helpings, CHIP and the CICOA Foundation, among others. Kim’s passion for philanthropy stems from the decade she spent working in the non-profit sector. Her passion for DREAM Alive stems from her belief that anything is possible when you have someone who believes in you. Regardless of where we are in life or in our career, we all benefit from mentors who encourage and inspire us to be better!
Jeff Joyce,
Chief Financial Officer, North Salem State Bank
Jeff is the CFO of North Salem State Bank. Jeff is married and has three teenage boys. While he has served in various leadership roles for several not for profit organizations including Indiana Baptist Foundation, United Way of Johnson County (Indiana), Salvation Army and Calvary Baptist Church, Jeff is passionate about being a positive influence on youth. Which is why he is part of Dream Alive and has had active mentoring roles through Big Brothers and Franklin Study
Young Professional Board
Dream Alive’s first Young Professional Board to further DREAM Alive’s mission launched in late 2019. Our inaugural members are Libby Harris, sales director at Helmer Inc., and Caleb Hawks, an actuarial analyst at Protective Insurance.
The YP Board advances the mission of DREAM Alive by helping grow engagement in DREAM Alive within the community. Some of the practical applications the YP board is working on include:
Growing our one-on-one mentoring program
Increasing volunteer engagement
Strategically planning for the growth and purpose of the YP board.
As this YP Board grows, we hope that members will be inspired to join our Board of Directors eventually.
Caleb Hawks
Caleb has served with DREAM Alive in a volunteer capacity since 2015, and is currently serving as a mentor to scholars in the DREAM Alive high school program. Caleb works as an Actuarial Analyst for Protective Insurance Company and is a member of the Casualty Actuarial Society as an Associate (ACAS). A Waverly native in rural Illinois, Caleb graduated from Northwestern College of Iowa in 2015 with a degree in Actuarial Science and has lived and worked in Indianapolis ever since. Caleb is excited to be apart of the Young Professionals Board for DREAM Alive because he has witnessed first hand the positive impact the organization can have on the at-risk youth of Indianapolis, and recognizes the great potential DREAM Alive can further achieve for the Indianapolis community.
Cameron Shepherd
No stranger to DREAM Alive (DA), Cameron is a former DREAM Alive scholar from Shortridge Middle School and carrying on into his high school years! In the summer of 2011 Cameron had the opportunity to gain his first ever employment opportunity as a DREAM Alive Summer Intern! Cameron currently works as a Program Manager for the City of Indianapolis’s Office of Public Health & Safety, working in community violence reduction. Cameron also serves as a reserve Police Officer in his spare time. A native of the westside of Indianapolis, and coming from his share of struggles, Cameron looks forward to getting back involved with DA, and furthering our mission!
“I want kids to be exposed to what I was exposed to via DREAM Alive, in hopes of them finding their purpose, through exposure, the same way it did for me” C. Shepherd
Jodeci Byrd
Jodeci is an alumnus of the DREAM Alive (DA) program since 2007 when she was just in middle school. Throughout Jodeci's time with DA, she has been a peer mentor working in the summers for former programs like DREAM Achievement Academy and also has served as a leader and role model in the high school program. Jodeci graduated from Shortridge Magnet High School in 2013 as Salutatorian of her class. Jodeci then proceeded to graduate from Ball State University in 2016 with an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and minor in interpersonal relations and sociology. Jodeci wants to continue serving underserved and overlooked youth such as herself and continues to work with youth in schools, and through social services (i.e. mentoring, case management, tutoring, residential, etc) throughout her adult life.
Jodeci just received her Masters in Mental Health and Wellness from Grand Canyon University in 2022 and also is a certified community health worker. Jodeci joined the YP board in hopes to be able to find ways to give back to the organization that gave so much to her.
James Peterson
James has served with DREAM Alive as a volunteer and former staff member since 2013 and is currently serving as a mentor to scholars in the DREAM Alive high school program. James works as a Senior Production Technician for Roche Diagnostic and is a member of the AABRG Community Partnership Subcommittee. He is based in Indianapolis and graduated from Crossroads Bible College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Youth Ministry/Communications: Leading and Counseling Youth. James is passionate about the underserved and overlooked youth in Indianapolis finding their confidence to grow and give back, and has developed this passion by witnessing DREAM Alive’s mission and impact on the community.
Dr. Brooke Scott DDS
Brooke has served with DREAM Alive in a volunteer capacity since 2020, and is currently serving as a mentor to scholars in the DREAM Alive high school program. Brooke works as a general dentist with Scott Dentistry. She is a native of Fishers, Indiana, received her bachelors in science from South Carolina State University, and came back home to Indiana University School of Dentistry to obtain her doctorate of dental surgery. Brooke is passionate about uplifting the youth and opening their minds to the many opportunities life has to provide. She has seen the impact DREAM Alive has on the volunteers as well as the youth involved and is exited to be a part of the present and future of the organization.