Selected work and ongoing initiatives

Ideas moved forward through connection.

A selection of current roles and cross-sector initiatives shaped by relationship building, strategic communication, and practical collaboration.

Selected work 01

Northwest Indiana Coalition of Animal Welfare Professionals (NWICAP)

Crown Point Community Foundation One Million Dollar Grant Challenge

Context: A regional collaborative initiative addressing animal-welfare needs and barriers across Northwest Indiana as part of an active grant challenge—not a completed grant award.
Niki’s role: Coalition development, survey and community feedback, stakeholder outreach, and community research across municipalities, veterinarians, shelters and rescues, businesses, and community organizations.
Approach: Advance professional development and training, affordable veterinary care and spay/neuter access, legislative education and advocacy, shared resources, networking, communication, and related community planning. Humane Society of Hobart leads the grant initiative; Hydrant Pet Center collaborates, and Dogs 4 U has participated in the broader initiative context.
Progress: Ongoing cross-sector planning and stronger regional connections around shared animal-welfare priorities.

Selected work 02

Formal role · Marketing and Program Director

Context: Build awareness and community connection across pet-care, training, workforce, and animal-welfare efforts.
Niki’s role: Marketing and Program Director — Hydrant Pet Center.
Approach: Lead marketing, Hydrant Grooming Academy program promotion, community partnerships, adoption and community initiatives, local media and outreach, and employer and training-provider relationships.
Progress: More connected community-facing programs and a clearer bridge between education, employment, business, and service.

Selected work 03

Regional collaboration

Context: Employers, educators, training providers, and emerging talent need practical ways to connect.
Niki’s role: Stakeholder participation, employer engagement, and partnership development through READY NWI and relationships with CWI/WorkOne, Indiana DWD, education, and regional employers.
Approach: Support training partnerships, Hydrant Grooming Academy workforce pathways, grooming apprenticeship exploration and development, career events, and regional workforce initiatives.
Progress: Stronger relationships around shared regional workforce and education-to-employment priorities.

Selected work 04

Formal role · Executive Director of Development

Context: Mission-driven programs need sustainable community support and partnerships to grow.
Niki’s role: Executive Director of Development — Dogs 4 U Inc.
Approach: Develop nonprofit partnerships, fundraising and sponsorship opportunities, programming, scholarship and program concepts, and corporate and community outreach.
Progress: A broader foundation for community involvement, program development, and continued mission growth.

Selected work 05

Committee and community participation

Context: Regional progress depends on durable relationships across business, nonprofit, workforce, and community networks.
Niki’s role: Highland/Griffith Chamber of Commerce participation, including the Workforce Development Committee and Nonprofit Committee, plus regional relationship and partnership development.
Approach: Build connections, surface shared priorities, and help move community and business conversations toward useful action.
Progress: More connected regional business, nonprofit, workforce, and community efforts.