The Finance Division consists of Vice President, Louie Wendall,who works alongside his 5 directors. Check out the Presidential Board blog to learn more about Louie. Meet your 2023 Finance Directors below!
Your 2023 Finance Directors!
Director of Corporate Partnerships: MaKayla Waugh
First up, the Director of Corporate Partnerships, MaKayla Waugh! MaKayla is a freshman and this is her first year being involved with Jagathon! MaKayla’s role is to work and communicate with different businesses to build relationships and find sponsors for our event. She communicates with these businesses through email, phone calls and in-person meetings to build partnerships that can be grown throughout future events.
- Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Major: Epidemiology Accelerated MPH (Pre-Med)
- Fun Fact: MaKayla enjoys cooking and baking!
- Favorite Jagathon Memory: Wearing the big Riley bucket costumes and walking to the Campus Center.
- Why does MaKayla dance?: MaKayla dances for the Riley children who have lost their lives and are continuing to fight. No kid fights alone!
Director of Data Analytics: Suleman Shahid
Next up is the Director of Data Analytics, Suleman Shahid! Suleman is a junior and this is his first year on the Executive Board! Suleman’s role is to track all income with Jagathon. The main task is to track all money received by Jagathon and analyze how we can increase our final number. He also finds volunteer opportunities, location-buckets throughout campus, as well as canning opportunities.
- Hometown: Fishers, Indiana
- Major: Neuroscience
- Fun Fact: Suleman speaks multiple languages!
- Favorite Jagathon Memory: Main Event
- Why does Suleman dance?: Suleman dances to support the kids!
Director of Fundrasing: Michaela Di Palmo
The next director up is the Director of Fundraising, Michaela Di Palmo! Michaela is a junior and she has previously been the Fundraising Education Chair and the Fundraising Challenges Chair. Michaela’s role is determining and sharing fundraising practices, spearheading, and executing fundraising strategies such as creative fundraisers with campus partnerships, digital fundraising education, fundraising workshops, and organizing push days like Marathon to Miracles.
- Hometown: Avon, Indiana
- Major: Music Therapy and Psychology
- Fun Fact: Michaela loves pandas!
- Favorite Jagathon Memory: Getting to perform with OASN A Capella during Jagathon 2022.
- Why does Michaela dance?: Michaela dances for the kids she works with now at Riley and she dances for the kids she will work with in the future as a music therapist!
Director of High School Dance Marathons: Hannah Romero De Gante
Next up, we have the Director of High School Dance Marathons, Hannah Romero De Gante! Hannah is a junior and she started her Jagathon journey her freshman year! She previously has been on the Family Relations committee and last year she was the Family Relations Family Events Chair. Hannah’s role is to communicate, mentor and meet with Jagathon’s nine high school partners as they plan and execute their own dance marathon programs.
- Hometown: Seymour, Indiana
- Major: Health Science
- Fun Fact: Hannah has a twin sister!
- Favorite Jagathon Memory: My favorite Jagathon memory that has occurred every year is always Trunk or Treat! Not only do we all get the chance to gather as an organization but we get to share our time with our Riley kiddos as they trick or treat. Since I joined Jagathon in 2020, this has always been one of the memories that sticks with me throughout the year because it's a small reminder of why I'm here! Although main event holds a special place in my heart, Trunk or Treat is such a fun interaction for us to share with the Riley kids.
- Why does Hannah dance?: My cousin Kian and all the kiddos like him who are just as special as him motivate my "why"! I haven't been personally impacted by Riley Hospital for Children but know of many families who have been just as touched by this organization as I have. I continue to dance for all those who are impacted by Riley Hospital for Children in hopes to help many more in the future!
Director of Stewardship: Janaki Dave
Our last director is the Director of Stewardship, Janaki Dave! Janaki is a senior and her Jagathon journey started her freshman year. Throughout her years being involved with Jagathon, she has held several positions. Her freshman year she was a committee member for the Participant Relations committee. She was the PIC Chair for the Logistics committee her sophomore year and last year she was the Director of Monetary Partnerships. Janaki’s role is to thank donors year round and organize appreciation gifts after every push day and main event.
- Hometown: Zionsville, Indiana
- Major: Neuroscience
- Fun Fact: Janaki plays the trumpet and piano.
- Favorite Jagathon Memory: Hitting comma club during my first M2M.
- Why does Janaki dance?: Janaki dances for the smiles.
