Mission

The mission of Indiana Wish is to grant wishes to Indiana children ages 3 – 18 diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

Vision

At Indiana Wish, we create hope amid hardship. Hope can be a powerful force in the health and healing of the children we serve. Research studies have shown that children who have received wishes have less distress, fewer episodes of depression, and reduced anxiety. All of this, in turn, can improve their quality of life, foster hope and resilience, and potentially lead to better health outcomes.

What We Do

Indiana Wish is an Indiana-focused wish-granting organization. Since 1984, we have granted more than 3,500 wishes to Hoosier children in 88 of Indiana’s 92 counties. Indiana Wish is not affiliated with any other local or national wish-granting organization. Funding for wishes is made possible through the support of individual giving, corporate partnerships, and fundraising events. Working together, we can impact even more Hoosier children and families throughout Indiana.

Meet Our Team

Indiana Wish has four full-time staff members with a combined tenure of over 75 years and one wish mom. Dedicated, passionate, and driven, our staff forms the beating heart of our mission. Each member brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the table, united by a common goal: to create positive change in our community and beyond. From tireless advocates who champion our cause to behind-the-scenes heroes who ensure smooth operations, our team embodies the spirit of service and empathy. Together, we strive to make a difference, one step at a time, fueled by compassion.

Staff

J’Lynn Mayes
Hillary McCarley
Julie Hauck
Courtney Bickett
Events and Marketing Coordinator

Board of Directors

Tim Schlichte
President
Kurt Cohen
Vice President
Brad Reay
Stephanie Flittner
Secretary
Steven E. Bainaka
Executive Committee Member
Phil Gumpert
Executive Committee Member
Sandeep Batra, MD
Medical Advisor and Board Member
Meg Zakrewski, MBA, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC
Medical Advisor and Board Member
Carlton Anker
Board Member
Casey Garamoni
Board Member
Cebronica Luft
Board Member
Greg Papagiannis
Board Member
Susan Tsangaris
Board Member
Matt Wooten
Board Member