The Mind Trust hires Director of Operations, Manager of School Support and Incubation, and three staff to implement Indiana Learns statewide grant program

The Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based education nonprofit, today announced the hiring of five team members, three of whom will support the implementation of Indiana Learns, a statewide tutoring grant program. Dani Neal has been hired as Director of Operations and Jazmin Sanders has been hired as Manager of School Support and Incubation. The three staff members hired to lead the Indiana Learns initiative in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education are: Seana Murphy as Senior Director, Tiera Hollanquest as Operations Manager, and Alli Vanneman as Marketing and Engagement Manager. 

“The Mind Trust is thrilled to welcome these new team members to our growing staff,” said Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust. “We are excited to expand our impact with the addition of staff who will focus on the Indiana Learns program in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education.”

The Mind Trust New Hires

Dani Neal, Director of Operations

As Director of Operations, Neal will lead work on the Operations and Finance team related to accounting functions, technology support, and management of Board of Directors meetings and communication. She will also support the team with human resources functions and implementing policies and procedures for The Mind Trust.

Neal brings a wealth of experience to the role, having most recently served as Program Director for Indy Summer Learning Labs (ISLL), which provided five weeks of high-quality summer learning at 40 sites across Marion County. ISLL sites enrolled more than 5,000 students and hired more than 100 teachers to provide instruction. Prior to managing the ISLL initiative, she was a Volunteer Coordinator for Brookside Community Development Corporation and an ESL Tutor for VIPKid. Neal holds a bachelor’s degree in family and children’s ministry from Toccoa Falls College.

Jazmin Sanders, Manager of School Support and Incubation

As Manager of School Support and Incubation, Sanders will plan travel, events, and speaking engagements; schedule meetings and coordinate calendars; and manage phone calls and relationships with office visitors. She will also support the organization’s efforts through administrative tasks.

Sanders most recently worked as a Teacher Development Coach for TNTP. She also brings three years of experience as an elementary teacher for Tindley Summit Academy and Circle City Prep. Notably, Sanders received the New Teacher of the Year award during her first year at Tindley Summit Academy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Indiana University and a master of arts in teaching from Marian University.

Indiana Learns New Hires

Seana Murphy, Senior Director, Indiana Learns

As Senior Director of Indiana Learns, Murphy is responsible for leading the creation, management, and success of Indiana Learns. An experienced education leader, Murphy manages all aspects of the program, including connecting with schools and districts, managing learning partner vendors, and ensuring Indiana Learns is accessible to as many families as possible. 

Previously, Murphy served as Vice President Operations for Early Learning Indiana. She also brings prior experience as the Director of Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars Program and in multiple higher-education positions. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Depauw University and a master’s in theological studies from Christian Theological Seminary.

Tiera Hollanquest, Operations Manager, Indiana Learns

As Operations Manager for Indiana Learns, Hollanquest is responsible for administrative, financial, and project management duties for the statewide microgrant program. She leads work related to budget tracking, financial record keeping, and creating operational systems that support the implementation of Indiana Learns on behalf of the Indiana Department of Education. 

Before joining the Indiana Learns team, Hollanquest was the Director of Operations for EmpowerED Families, an Indianapolis parent advocacy organization. She also previously served as a Finance Analyst with the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s in economics, is a board member for Project Azul, and serves on the Student Relations Committee for the Notre Dame Black Alumni Board.

Alli Vanneman, Marketing and Engagement Manager, Indiana Learns

As Marketing and Engagement Manager for Indiana Learns, Vanneman leads outreach, marketing, and engagement efforts related to the program. This also involves media relations, event planning and implementation, and digital content creation.

Before serving on the Indiana Learns team, Vanneman taught elementary grades at Fox Hill Elementary School in Washington Township and at Success Academy Charter Schools in New York. She holds a bachelor’s in elementary education from St. Mary’s College and a master’s in education policy from Columbia University.