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)

Formal role · Interim Coalition Director

Context: A regional collaborative initiative addressing animal-welfare needs and barriers across Northwest Indiana as part of the Crown Point Community Foundation One Million Dollar Grant Challenge—an active challenge, not a completed grant award.
Niki’s role: Interim Coalition Director — Northwest Indiana Coalition of Animal Welfare Professionals (NWICAP), leading coalition development, stakeholder outreach, community research, survey and community feedback, and cross-sector planning.
Approach: Engage municipalities, veterinarians, shelters and rescues, businesses, and community organizations around 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

Board and committee leadership

Context: Regional progress depends on durable relationships across business, nonprofit, workforce, and community networks.
Niki’s role: Board Member — Highland Main Street; Development Committee and Nonprofit Committee — Highland/Griffith Chamber of Commerce; 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.