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Contact Us
The ALS Association Indiana Chapter is here to serve the statewide ALS community - patients, families, friends, caregivers and medical professionals. Please let us know how we can help you.
The ALS Association Indiana Chapter
9449 Priority Way West Drive, Suite 130
Indianapolis, IN 46240
Phone: (317) 915-9888
Fax: (317) 915-9889
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Meet your ALS Association Indiana Chapter Staff
From the first time you call our office, attend a fundraiser or a support group meeting, you come in contact with dedicated and passionate individuals who make up our staff! While each has a unique set of duties, together we have one goal: to serve Hoosiers living with ALS and connect them to quality information, resources and support as they navigate life with this devastating disease.Where I grew up: Knox, IN
Where I live now: Macy, IN
Joined the Chapter: March 2022
Motivation for working at the Association: Being part of a greater group focusing on providing medical social work to patients and families who need it most. Being able to make a direct impact on the ALS community through my knowledge and experience.
Hobbies: Loving my 3 dogs, motorcycle rides with my husband, drinking coffee, and planning vacations.
Connie Simpson, MSW, LCSW, Care Services Director
Where I grew up: Kokomo, Indiana
Where I live now: Westfield, Indiana
Joined the Chapter: October 2017
Motivation for working at the Association: I pursued a career at the ALS Association because I was looking to make a change. I was ready to move away from an in-patient acute care setting to a place where I could still maintain a supportive relationship with patients and families, but really enjoy an out-patient/community. I am excited to provide a connection between those affected by ALS, their loved ones and the Association as 'wrap around' support!
Hobbies: Bike riding, spending time with my family and three children (Elaine who is a seond grader, Julia who is a Nurse at Methodist Labor and Delivery and Michael who is a Senior at Westfield High School), and traveling. FUN FACT - I am a twin! We do not have twin names (her name is Jackie) but we are identical!
Shauna Smith, BS, Care Services Coordinator
Where I Grew Up: I was born in Charleston, SC
Where I currently Live: Galveston, Indiana
Joined the chapter: September 2020
Motivation for working with Chapter: I have always had a strong ability in connecting individuals to things they may need. I am motivated to help those during some of their most vulnerable times, sometimes that just offering an ear to listen or connecting them to a resource they may need and taking some of the burdens off their plate for them. At the end of the day this is what puts a smile on my face knowing I may have given a moment of relief to someone else during a difficult time for them. I am honored to be a part of an association that will allow me to continue this line of work in helping others.
Hobbies: I enjoy meeting new people, gathering for events (sporting ones as well – Go Cubs!) I am a mother two twin daughters that often keep me entertained and busy. I am a boxer mom to two lovely pups named Renegade and Clover (Florida State and Notre Dame fans in this house). When I am not running around and have the time you will find me at our local gym.
Kelly Smith, Director of Development
Where I grew up: Crawfordsville, IN on a grain and livestock farm
Where I live now: Carmel, Indiana
Joined the Chapter: November 2022
Motivation for working at the Association: Like most, I didn’t truly know my calling until I was close to my 30s. It was through my sister-in-law that I learned more about the nonprofit sector, and it was then that I realized my passion to serve others and make an impact when I can. I was lucky enough to be brought on as the Director of Development for Indiana. For me, the mission speaks volumes to the type of individuals that work for ALS Association. So for me, the people (both those that work for ALS, and those we serve) is my motivation for working for ALSA.
Hobbies: I’m a big sports mom, so most of time I’m cheering on my son at travel baseball games, or my daughter at swim meets. Or watching Colts, Cubs, or anything Purdue athletics. Boiler Up!! Personally, I love getting lost in a good book or painting acrylics on canvas (in another life I would have loved to be an artist). I’m also still a farm girl at heart, so I love to go back and visiting the family farm, go hiking, or travel with my kids.
Emmie Derusha, Office Adminstrator
Where I grew up: I was born in Biloxi, MS. When I turned 12 my father retired from the Navy and moved us to Meridian, MS where I finished growing up, graduating from high school and later moving to Indianapolis, IN when I was 23. Where I am now raising my son.
Where I live now: Indianapolis, Indiana
Joined the Chapter: June 2022
Motivation for working at the Association: Having developed my professional career working as an Office Administrator for multiple years with several different companies, I was blessed to come upon this organization. I had previously worked at one other Non-Profit organization; Sigma Theta Tau, which helps nurses further their careers, I wanted to find a home where I too could feel like I was making a difference and contributing to something where I was being and adding something to individuals or society. What makes me the most joyful is feeling like I am truly making a change or helping people in their day to day lives.
Hobbies: After work you can find me spending time with my son and doing mom stuff, when not doing this or taxiing him around for his various extracurricular activities, in the summer you can find us by the water. Whether its boating with friends, swimming in the waterholes, or just fishing, which I do regularly. I also enjoy playing poker with friends. I love watching documentaries and actively learning anything I can absorb. I enjoy cooking and just staying in by a fire in the winter. My favorite destination is anywhere that reminds me to be humble, keeps me grounded, and takes me to back to my roots.
Chelsea Richards, MSW, LSW