By Heather Lusk
After a three-month search, the Zionsville Education Foundation has hired two staff members, effective March 20.
Lyle H. Browne will serve as the chief operating officer overseeing grant support, marketing, communications and finance. Katie O. Reasoner will be the chief development officer directing all fundraising initiatives and event management.
“We think they’re a good combination and a good fit,” said Missy Copher, president of ZEF. “We interviewed a lot of good candidates. There are very talented people in Zionsville.”
Browne and Reasoner will have the opportunity to observe the spring grants review taking place after the first week of April.
Browne has worked with Susan G. Komen Central Indiana as a board member and volunteer and has been active with Tri-Kappa and Zionsville United Methodist Church.
Reasoner has more than 20 years in marketing, fundraising and event management experience. She has volunteered with the Indianapolis Children’s Museum Guild and The Women’s Fund of Central Indiana.
Both have children in Zionsville schools, where they have been volunteers.
“I’m just really excited to get back involved in the community,” said Reasoner, who recently returned to Zionsville after moving out of state seven years ago. “I just really have a passion for education.”
ZEF board members have been overseeing the leadership of the foundation since the executive director position was vacated by Tracy Phillips Jan. 1. The board decided to divide the role into two separate positions to allow better focus on specific tasks.
“We bring very different skill sets to the foundation,” Reasoner said.
“I think it will enable each of us to really concentrate on areas where we have strength,” Browne said.
