Leadership
Board of Directors
Founder & President
Sean Allen
Sean was evangelized while working as an electrical engineer before the Lord sent him to be a missionary to young adults. Sean then earned a Master of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame and served in ministry at the parish and diocesan levels for 12 years. Most recently, he served as Director of Young Adult & Campus Ministry for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in Indiana. Sean serves on the USCCB National Advisory Team for Young Adult Ministry and is currently pursuing a Master of Nonprofit Administration at the University of Notre Dame.
Vice-President
Jackie Appleman
Jackie is the Director of Development for Sidewalk Advocates for Life, and was previously the Executive Director of Right to Life Michiana. She earned a Bachelor’s in Business, Marketing, and Advertising from Indiana University-South Bend. Jackie has been involved in nonprofit ministry for over 10 years. She has been an active participant in parish and diocesan young adult programs, and helped plan an annual young adult retreat. Jackie was a foster parent for 5 years, and through foster care adopted a daughter.
Director
Justin Aquila
Justin serves as Pastoral Associate for St. Vincent de Paul Parish and an adjunct instructor in theology at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne. He earned a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Saint Thomas in Houston, Texas. He is also Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for Right to Life of Northeast Indiana and has served as a formator on the spiritual accompaniment team for the OSV Institute Innovation Challenge. Justin has worked for over 10 years in the field of evangelization and catechesis serving in both parish and university ministry.
Treasurer
John Richter
John is Supervisor in the Fort Wayne office of Dulin, Ward & Dewald CPAs and Advisors. Passionate about his career, he provides tax and accounting support for both individuals and businesses in the northern Indiana and Ohio areas. John earned a Bachelor’s in Accounting from the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne and serves on their Alumni Cabinet.
Director
Kyle Smith, Esq.
Kyle is an attorney at Plews Shadley Racher & Braun, LLP in the South Bend, Indiana office. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Hillsdale College and his Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame. Kyle is a member of the Knights of Columbus and a Blackstone Fellow through the Alliance Defending Freedom. He and his wife, Kristen, have three children.
Secretary
Niki Wilkes
Niki is a cradle Catholic who really started her discipleship journey while attending Ball State University after being invited to join a vibrant campus community through a bible study. After receiving her Bachelor's in English and Creative Writing, Niki went on to earn a graduate degree at the University College of London in Publishing Studies. She then came back to South Bend and now works as a Marketing Specialist for Ave Maria Press, a Catholic nonprofit publishing company.
