LLA Staff

Ruth (Ruthie) Purcell-Jones

At LLA
Ruthie is currently serving as Interim Executive Director for Lacy Leadership Association (LLA).

Ruthie is shepherding the organization through this transition time and is responsible for directing, organizing and promoting the activities of the organization. She works with the Board of Directors in implementing the organization’s strategic plan, projects and initiatives which inspire, link and lead in the greater Indianapolis community.

Before LLA
Prior to joining LLA, Ruthie was President of Leadership Ventures where she led both organizationally focused and community wide initiatives to develop volunteer and professional leaders in the central Indiana nonprofit sector.  She has provided training and coaching to numerous charitable organizations, boards of directors and executive leaders in the central Indiana area.  She has held staff positions in human service planning, criminal justice and family social service agencies, as well as having developed the first victim assistance program in the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.

In the Community
In addition to her work at LLA, Ruthie currently serves as a consultant and coach with nonprofit leaders and organizations in building relationships, developing capacity and envisioning strategic possibilities through her own enterprise Strategies 2 Serve.  Her community involvement includes, serving on the Advisory Council for Public Allies, Chair of the marketing committee for the Dyslexia Institute of Indiana, and advancement committee member and 6th grade room parent for The Orchard School.  Previously, she served on the 2008-09 Drum Corps International World Championship local organizing committee, LLA’s Get on Board committee and was chair of the 2011 Board Chair Summit.

Ruth holds a degree in law from IU School of Law - Indianapolis and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Denison University.  Outside of her professional endeavors, Ruth cherishes her life with her husband and four children.

You can contact Ruthie by clicking here, or at 317-634-2423 ext. 176.

Susan (Susie) McKenna

At LLA
Susie serves as Director of Operations and Communications here at Lacy Leadership Association (LLA).

Susie is responsible for the overall management of LLA programming, including Opportunity Indianapolis, LEAD, Get on Board, Second Tuesday Straight Talk series, CEO events and other member programming. Susie is also responsible for the overall organization of member relations, the annual membership campaign and initiatives, which offer high-level engagement opportunities to LLA members.  In the area of communication, Susie handles member newsletters, annual reports, media relations and social media for the organization.

Before LLA
As former marketing manager for Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. (IDI), she helped to develop, manage and market a growing downtown for nearly 10 years.   Her cultural tourism efforts and vast experience with destination marketing programs, such as working with Indy’s cultural districts, ignited her passion for Indianapolis.

In the Community
A devoted and active member of the Indianapolis community, Susie previously served on the board of directors of LLA.  She is a graduate of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series (SKL XXVIII) and was a 2004 finalist for the prestigious Governor’s Award for Tomorrow’s Leaders.  For several years, she has been a wish-granting volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and has volunteered for numerous community events including the 500 Festival and the men’s and women’s NCAA Final Four tournaments.

Susie holds a master’s degree in public relations from Ball State University and has a bachelor’s degree in communication with minors in advertising and psychology from Purdue University.  Susie enjoys spending time with her husband and is the proud mother of two girls.

You can contact Susie by clicking here, or at 317-634-2423 ext. 133.