UIndy Alumni Association Recognizes Young Alumni, with 10-Hounds Awards
The University of Indianapolis and its Alumni Board of Directors honored young UIndy graduates who are outstanding in their personal and professional endeavors and who have made significant contributions to their communities.
The 10-Hounds Distinguished Young Alumni Awards
Chelsea Anderson ’10 (Theatre)
Anderson stepped on stage at four years old and has essentially never left. She has been a director, actor, writer, educator, producer, dialect coach, advocate, administrator, and overall theatre enthusiast for decades.
As a director, Chelsea has led a variety of projects. She wrote and directed “All the Best, Jack.” Its premiere production in Wisconsin sold out every performance and sparked a second production in Indianapolis, which played outdoors in a Victorian park. She has also directed well-known productions like “You Can’t Take It with You” and “Catch Me If You Can,” and has assisted directors with renowned productions such as “Into the Woods” and “A Christmas Carol.”
Her acting career also features an array of fun and intriguing roles. Her favorites include Alma in “Summer and Smoke” and MacDuff in “MacBeth.”
As a lifelong educator, Chelsea has taught classes & workshops both at universities and high schools, as well as through theatre companies. Students in educational productions have praised Chelsea’s ability to offer specific direction and goals while allowing for room to play and make mistakes.
Josh Cooper ’16 (MBA)
Cooper is Vice President of Finance at Goodwill Legacy Group, where he oversees finance, accounting, and payroll for the organization, which serves communities across Indiana, Illinois, and Puerto Rico. He started at Goodwill in 2005 as a donation attendant and has since held leadership roles across operations, financial planning and analysis, and accounting.
Originally from Spencer, Indiana, Josh earned his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Indiana University and his MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Indianapolis. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Cooper has helped lead Goodwill through significant growth and organizational change while supporting its mission to create opportunities through employment, education, and other community-based services. He also serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee for Early Learning Indiana and on the Finance and Audit Committee for Little Red Door Cancer Agency.
Ammar Dalal ’07, ’09 (Economics, MBA)
Ammar Dalal’s path in higher education was shaped by his time at the University of Indianapolis, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 2007 and an MBA in 2009 before completing a Doctor of Education degree at USC.
His journey has since taken him across four universities in four states. For more than 20 years, he has opened doors for undergraduate, graduate, and international students.
At Loyola Marymount University, he serves as Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Senior International Officer, leading graduate, professional, and international education.
Jenna Grimes ’09, ’10 (MOT, Psychology)
Grimes, a Centerville, IN, native, is a two-time graduate of the University of Indianapolis, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a master’s degree in occupational therapy.
She began her career as an Occupational Therapist and later became a founding leader at Paradigm Health, an Indiana-based hospice and community-based palliative care provider. She guided the company from its early startup years into a leading hospice provider in Indiana.
Throughout her career at Paradigm, Grimes has served in executive leadership roles including Chief Operating Officer and now Chief Compliance Officer.
Under the leadership of Grimes and her colleagues, Paradigm Health has been recognized as a USA TODAY Top Workplace for five consecutive years, reflecting its commitment to employee well-being, professional development, innovation, and excellence in patient and family care.
Caleb Logan ’15 (English Teaching)
A native of Wolcottville, Indiana, Logan graduated from the University of Indianapolis in 2015 with a degree in English Teaching.
He began his career in education as an English and Business teacher before moving into school leadership after completing his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in 2023.
He currently serves as an Assistant Principal at Carroll High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Throughout his career, Caleb has remained committed to helping students find meaningful pathways after high school and creating opportunities that connect education to future careers.
Mike McFadden ’08 (Physics)
McFadden is the Founder and CEO of OptiFunder, the mortgage industry’s only warehouse lending ecosystem.
A native of Indianapolis, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Indianapolis in 2008, where he played all four years on the Greyhounds baseball team.
He went on to earn his MBA from IU – Kelley School of Business and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter.
Before founding OptiFunder, McFadden led Finance and Strategy at Stonegate Mortgage, where he saw firsthand the obstacles between mortgage lenders and the banks that fund their loans. He built OptiFunder to fix it. Today, its flagship platform, Genesis, serves more than 100 mortgage companies nationwide. Its warehouse management system for warehouse lenders also carries a fitting name: Greyhound.
Dr. Macy Pohl ‘23 (Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Aging Studies)
Pohl is an Indianapolis-based nonprofit executive and disability advocate.
She earned her master’s degree in Aging Studies and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy from the University of Indianapolis. Her career spans nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and state and federal disability policy and advocacy. Her leadership has even earned her the honor of National Down Syndrome Society’s Leader of the Year.
Pohl serves as Executive Director of Down Syndrome Indiana and is a founding member of the Indiana Disability Alliance. She serves as President of the City of Lawrence Advisory Council on Disabilities and as a board member of the Lawrence Township School Foundation.
Kristina Schroder ’08, ’10 (Human Biology, MOT)
Schroder is a proud University of Indianapolis alumna whose UINDY education laid the foundation for a rewarding career in healthcare leadership.
Originally from Marion, Indiana, Schroder earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from UINDY in 2008, followed by a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2010. That same year, she began her career with HealthSouth, which is now known as Encompass Health. She is still a part of the company 16 years later, currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sioux Falls in South Dakota.
Her clinical background as an occupational therapist continues to shape her leadership philosophy, allowing her to lead with empathy, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the patient experience. She credits UINDY with providing the knowledge, skills, and foundation that continue to guide her relationships with patients, families, colleagues, and community partners.
Dr. Julian Shamsaie ’16 (Biology/Pre-Dental)
The Terre Haute, Indiana native is a 2016 graduate of the University of Indianapolis, where he earned a degree in Biology. During his time at UIndy, Julian served as captain of the men’s soccer team, equipping him with strong leadership and teamwork skills. He went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the IU School of Dentistry in 2021.
In 2025, he founded Pendleton Smiles Family Dentistry in Pendleton, Indiana. As a dentist and business owner, he prioritizes providing quality care while balancing the entrepreneurial challenge of running and growing a business.
While proud of his professional accomplishments, Julian’s said his greatest accomplishment is the family he is building with his wife, Kalli, and their two kids.
Dr. Heather Verdon ‘11 (Psychology, MA Clinical Psychology, PsyD in Clinical Psychology)
Verdon graduated from UIndy with a BA in Psychology in 2011, an MA in Clinical Psychology in 2013, and a PsyD in Clinical Psychology in 2016.
She was introduced to correctional psychology as a student during practicums at the Indiana Women’s Prison and New Castle Psychiatric Unit (NCP).
After graduation, she returned to NCP and served as the lead psychologist at Indiana State Prison until she was promoted to the position of Regional Director of Mental Health in 2021. She is now the Statewide Director of Behavioral Health for Centurion, overseeing all Mental Health and Addiction Recovery treatment provided to Indiana’s incarcerated prison population.
She received the Commissioner’s Award for Health Care Provider of the Year in 2024.
The University of Indianapolis Alumni Association would like to commend all alumni who have carried on the University’s dedication to education for service and stayed connected to the strong community the University has developed both on campus and across the state.
If you know outstanding alumni who deserve to be honored, nominate them for next year’s awards.