A Message from Tim, Board Chair
As Chair of the Board of Directors, I am proud to represent an organization, and a Board, deeply committed to strengthening the communities of Northwest Indiana.
CoAction is a for-purpose organization. Everything we do is driven by a clear belief: people need stability in housing, finances, and health to thrive. When individuals and families have that foundation, our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and communities become stronger.
Our Board of Directors does more than provide governance and oversight. Our members are actively engaged in CoAction’s mission. They demonstrate consistently high attendance, contribute their expertise, connect our CEO with community and business leaders, refer people to our services, and champion our fundraising events. They serve as ambassadors for CoAction, helping others understand both the challenges facing our neighbors and the opportunities we have to create lasting change.
Together, the Board and leadership remain focused on strengthening CoAction in four essential areas:
- Services: Ensuring our programs are responsive, accessible, and meaningful to the people we serve.
- Innovation: Finding new and better ways to address emerging community needs.
- People Engagement: Investing in our employees, partners, volunteers, and the people who turn to us for support.
- Financial Capacity: Building the resources and long-term sustainability needed to advance our purpose.
Our Board members understand that CoAction’s work is not accomplished alone. Progress happens through strong relationships with community partners, funders, local leaders, businesses, employees, volunteers, and more than 35,000 people who trust us each year.
Thank you for learning more about CoAction. We invite you to join us—as a partner, donor, volunteer, advocate, or community champion—as we work toward a Northwest Indiana where every person has the opportunity to be well and thrive.
Tim Knauff
Chair, CoAction Board of Directors
CoAction Governing Bylaws
- Julie Anderson, Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Lake County
- Maria Becerra, McColly Real Estate, Lake County
- Tim Brown, Lake County Community Economic Development Department, Lake County
- Maggie Clifton, City of Valparaiso, Porter County
- Shannon Cotharon, Sheriff Department, Newton County
- Yolanda Davis, Centier Bank, La Porte County
- Tiara Williams, City of Gary, Lake County
- Louis Gonzalez, Retired Ivy Tech Chancellor, Lake County
- Mary Idstein, Retired CFO, Porter County
- Pastor Tim Knauff, Chair, Christ Lutheran Church, Porter County
- Andrew Kyres, Retired Banker, Lake County
- Harry Langbehn, First Financial Bank, Lake County
- Nicholas Neal, Geminus Corporation, Lake County
- Pastor Ben Schoettel, Real Life Community Church, Porter County
- Phyllis Schroeder, Retired VU Administration, Porter County
- Jim Starin, Retired Business Owner, Porter County
- Sandi Keller, President Homeward Bound, La Porte County
AAA Advisory Council Representative
- Sandra Braccolino (Noe), Lake County
Democratic Selection of Customer Representatives
One of the important features of Community Action Agencies is that the people served have a voice in the programs and decisions that affect them. One of the ways we do this is to have at least one-third of our Board of Directors be people who are directly impacted by CoAction’s mission and programs.
Currently there are no openings in the service participant segment on our Board of Directors.
