The Playworks Indiana Advisory Board is a group of change-makers who believe in the power of play and are active ambassadors for Playworks. These playful professionals contribute their personal time to share the mission of Playworks: to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.
Amy Wells, Board Chair
Area Service Manager
Everwise Credit Union
As an Area Manager at Everwise Credit Union, Amy has proudly dedicated 28 years to supporting financial growth and community development. Amy’s passion for giving back extends beyond my professional role. She currently serve as chair for Putnam County 100 Women Who Care. Amy is thrilled to serve with Playworks, where she will support the mission to level the playing field for children. Playworks equips kids with essential leadership skills that are crucial for their future success.
Jenny Dexter
Chief Strategy Officer
Veterans Strategies, Inc.
Jenny Dexter is the Chief Strategy Officer at Veteran Strategies, Inc., a multi-faceted public relations firm. As an agency executive with over 25 years of diverse experiences working in public relations, marketing, and branding, Jenny has had the great opportunity to develop partnerships and support the health of organizations whose products and services are best-in-class and purpose-driven.
Having co-founded her own design studio and worked as a brand manager for a global architecture firm, Jenny knows what it takes to cultivate relationships for growth. She collaborates with clients from a variety of industry segments to build consensus among multiple stakeholders and further organizational impact. With a specialty in listening as a means to translate vision into execution, Jenny is able to expand into new markets. She discovers and responds to industry trends and needs; and drives toward results in fast-paced, matrixed organizations.
Jenny received her bachelor’s from Ball State University. She currently leads as Chair of the Board of Directors for Playworks Indiana and is the President of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis, 2022-23.
Tom Dunkerly
Senior Director, Procurement and Category Strategy
One America
Tom brings over 25 years of experience in the procurement field, having worked with a diverse range of companies including Interactive Intelligence, Rolls-Royce, Australian Gold, and IBM. He currently serves as the Senior Director of Procurement and Category Strategy at OneAmerica Financial, where he leads the company’s strategic sourcing function.
A lifelong resident of Brownsburg, Indiana, Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology from Purdue University. Outside of work, Tom is a former drummer and weekend radio DJ who remains deeply passionate about music. He and his wife, Holly, enjoy attending local live music events with their four children, who share their love of music and performance.
Tom first connected with Playworks through one of their community kickball tournaments and was immediately inspired by the organization’s mission. “I learned about Playworks and their mission while participating in one of their kickball tournaments and jumped at the opportunity to serve on their Board. Their goals resonate with my childhood memories of the importance of play and recess,” he says.
Cameron Hyde
Director of Operations
Riley Children’s Health
Cameron Hyde is the Director of Operations for Riley Children’s Health and is responsible for a variety of operational departments including Child Life, School Program, Environmental Services, Food and Nutrition, and other aspects of the hospital’s day-to-day operations.
Through six years at Riley and IU Health, Cameron has held various operational positions. He took the role of Operations Program Manager in February 2022 before moving into Manager of Operations in 2024. Nine months later, he was elevated to Director of Operations.
Cameron holds a BS in Biology from the University of Kentucky where he was a letterwinner on the Wildcats swim team. He also completed his MHA at the University of Kentucky. Cameron is thrilled to serve with Playworks, his passion for athletics, physical activity and leadership align with its mission and purpose.
“Many of my greatest memories as a child are of playing of playing on the playground at recess with my friends,” Cameron recalls. “Swimming and the outdoors are an integral part of my family’s life, so being part of Playworks is a natural fit for me.”
John Melind
COO
LED Indy
John Melind is the COO and part owner of LED Indy, an Indianapolis based commercial contractor that performs energy efficiency upgrades, electrical contracting, and all things low voltage, from design to installation. Growing LED Indy from the ground up to multi-faceted commercial operation and number one rebate contractor for AES Indiana, John has worn lots of hats and learned how all aspects of a business must work in tandem to succeed.
John grew up in Indianapolis, an IPS product, and graduated from Wabash College. A leader in light but a dad at night, John is family man with three awesome kids, partnered for life with his amazing wife, Jenny. When he’s not immersed in the world of lighting, you’ll find John unleashing his inner sports enthusiast, reveling in the thrill of an active lifestyle. His love for play is what attracted him to Playworks. John is also a football official, working varsity HS football games for the last five years while trying to climb the college ranks, with an end goal of working in the replay booth for NFL games. Beyond the field, he channels his passion into making a difference as the co-leader of his congressional district at Bread 4 the World, a hunger advocacy group.
Dr. Danny Mendez
Senior Director of Education Policy
Indiana Latino Institute
Dr. Danny Mendez currently serves as the Senior Director of Education Policy for the Indiana Latino Institute. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Indiana State University. His 23 year career as an educator includes 18 years of school/district leadership that spans the entire K-12 spectrum. He served as a Principal at the elementary, middle, and high school level, as well as central office. In addition, he worked with leadership teams from over 100 schools that were seeking guidance for growth. During his time as a principal, Dr. Mendez has had the honor of leading schools to three national awards: 2010 National Title 1 Distinguished School, 2013 TAP Ambassador School, 2016 TAP Founders’ Award.
Dr. Mendez’s personal accolades include being honored as: 2022 IASP Indiana Middle School Principal of the Year 2022 IASP District 9 Middle School Principal of the Year 2017 Perry Township Schools Humanitarian Service Award 2013 IASP District 7 Elementary Principal of the Year 2011 MSD of Perry Township Administrator of the Year Dr. Mendez had previously served on the Indiana Commission on Hispanic Latino Affairs and as a President of District 7 and 9 for the Indiana Association of School Principals. These roles have helped deepen his knowledge of education policy so that he could better advocate at both the state and national level.
Melissa Thompson
Chief Community Officer
Indiana Sports Corp
Melissa Thompson is the Chief Community Officer at Indiana Sports Corp and is responsible for board affairs, community initiatives, event bids, serves as Indiana Sports Corp’s board appointment to Sports Indiana in addition to handling government relations.
A native of Indianapolis, Thompson’s roots and networks run deep in the city. Thompson offers extensive experience in event and logistics planning as well as public space management and government affairs.
Previously a Project Manager at Hathaway Strategies, Thompson offered extensive experience in event and logistics planning as well as public space management. Prior to joining Hathaway Strategies, Thompson served as the first-ever venue manager for Georgia Street, one of downtown Indianapolis’ premier outdoor event spaces. She handled day-to-day operations and maintenance of the venue as well as event coordination and planning.
Before that, Thompson occupied various roles for the City of Indianapolis. Beginning in 1999, she served in the Marion County Auditor’s Office and the Prosecutor’s Office before becoming clerk of the City County Council from 2008-2011.