LISC Indianapolis Welcomes Sara VanSlambrook to Local Advisory Board

LISC Indianapolis is excited to announce the appointment of Sara VanSlambrook to its Local Advisory Board. With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector as a volunteer, advocate, and manager, Sara is a seasoned leader with a demonstrated commitment to promoting positive community change.

Sara currently serves as the Chief Impact Officer at United Way of Central Indiana, where she oversees initiatives focused on equity and economic mobility. Her extensive background includes grant making, fundraising, program development, budget management, evaluation, and communications.

Reflecting on her decision to join LISC's Local Advisory Board, Sara shared, “Having previously been a part of LISC's team for eleven years, I understand well the challenges and opportunities of LISC as an organization. My current role at United Way of Central Indiana connects me to LISC through shared goals around equity and economic mobility in partnership with others. I look forward to learning more about LISC's current and future plans and how I can bring my skills, relationships, and experiences to elevate community voice and work toward improved quality of life for our neighbors.”

When asked about the challenges facing the community and how LISC can address them, Sara identified access to safe and affordable housing as a critical issue. She emphasized the need for collaborative efforts and innovative approaches to tackle this problem. “Housing is an enormous problem that cannot be solved by any one organization; it requires the best work of every organization working in collaboration. We need effective advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels because government subsidy is an essential part of the solution. We need innovative approaches that not only create affordable housing but establish the means to preserve that affordability into the future. We need to call out the institutional racism of our past and present that inhibit equitable access to housing for all and work to remove barriers and create more opportunities. LISC can leverage its relationships with elected officials, corporate executives, community leaders, and philanthropic partners to move from conversation to collective action.”

LISC Indianapolis is excited to welcome Sara back as a member of the board. Her leadership, experience, and passion for community development are expected to significantly contribute to the organization’s mission of fostering inclusive community growth and revitalization.