Events

Executive Director: Lisa Mezera

Lisa has been married for 15 years to my husband, Troy, and have 3 daughters, Haylee, Mckenzee and Chloee. Lives in Fishers, IN and attend Heartland Church where she is a 6th grade girls small group leader.  Lisa has worked/volunteered for non-profits for 13 years planning and coordinating fundraisers and events.  Basketball has been in her life for as long as she can remember.  Lisa started playing at the YMCA, continuing through school ball and then onto Roncalli High School on the Southside of Indianapolis.  Lisa then played at Tri-State University (now Trine University) in Angola, IN.  Lisa attended TSU for 2 years and then finished her bachelors degree at Ball State University. In college she helped run summer basketball camps for the local grade schools, she has coached YMCA teams, HSE Rec Teams, and a 2028 IGB team.  Lisa also helps with the Lil’ Ballers program at IGB, teaching  pre-schoolers to 2nd graders the fundamentals of basketball!  When she is not in the gym she likes to travel and spend time with family and friends.

It is an honor to serve on a board that I feel passionate about!  Having three basketball playing daughters myself, being able to help provide a resource for young female athletes who have the desire to continue their education at the collegiate level and show true leadership on and off the court is something that is very important to me. This foundation allows not only the financial opportunity of a scholarship for the college aged athlete, but also the ability to provide a “real” role model for the younger athletes.  The IGB program works like a family, encouraging the older athletes to be involved with the younger ones for this purpose.

The support this foundation provides goes way beyond financial.  It helps build character, morals and leadership skills.  Being a part of shaping young lives in this way is an amazing opportunity and I can’t wait to see how this foundation grows!

Board President: Matt Shade

Matt lives in Noblesville, IN. Married 22 years to Kasey Shade. Son (Jack) and daughter (Ashlynn). Graduated from Indiana Wesleyan in 1995. Founder and President of FitLivin, Founder and Inventor of Push Up Machine and Co-Founder and Operations of Indiana Girls Basketball. State champion assistant coach at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory 2000. IGB 2030 Shade AAU World Champion head coach 2021 and 2022. US Amateur National Champion head coach 2022 and 2023.

I fell in love with girls’ basketball when I looked into my daughter’s eyes and could see an unrivaled passion for the game of basketball. At this point, girls basketball was not well organized. It was either with boys or an after thought. I knew we could do better. We created IGB in 2017 and dedicated the platform 100% to girls’ basketball. Since 2017, we have touched thousands of lives through the Circle, IGB Spring/Summer teams, Lil Ballers, Summer Camps, Open Gym and Community Events. The IGB Foundation and Scholarship Program completes the vision of mentoring strong, confident female leaders on and off the court. The. Leadership of the IGB Foundation Board, combined with the passion of IGB families, will ignite a community we have not seen in girls’ basketball. Live Your Dream.

Board Member: Chris Bolles

I have been married to my wonderful wife, Melissa, for nearly 19 years. We have three children: Brittany, Nate, and Addie. Family is my foundation, and I am grateful to be able to support and cheer on my children as they grow, learn, and compete, gaining values such as hard work, teamwork, and confidence along the way.

Academically, I hold a Master's Degree in Taxation from the University of North Texas and am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in the state of Indiana. After starting my career in Public Accounting, where I gained four years of experience, I transitioned to the not-for-profit sector in 2005 by joining USA Funds—later renamed Strada Education Foundation. During my tenure at Strada, I served as Senior Director of Tax and Accounting, overseeing critical financial and tax matters until I retired in March 2024.

I firmly believe that we are all called to serve. This belief is the driving force behind my desire to join the board. More importantly, I view adults as role models for the children we encounter daily, and I strive to have a positive impact on every child I meet. I am committed to fostering an environment where our youth can thrive, and I look forward to contributing to the IGB Foundation’s mission in any capacity possible.

Board Member: Alissa Hankee

Married to Patrick, daughter Kirby (9 yr old) and son Brendan (8 yr old). Alissa lives in Indianapolis. Kirby and Brendan attend St.Simon the Apostle Catholic School. Alissa graduated with a BS in Biology from University of Evansville 2005, BS in Physician Assistant studies from Southern Illinois Carbondale 2007, Masters of Physician Assistant 2009 University of Nebraska. Alissa is a Physician Assistant and works for IU Health Infectious Diseases.

I am very excited to be a part of the IGB Foundation. Basketball to me was my life growing up but taught me so much about work ethic, mental toughness, teamwork, communication that I use to this day in my professional life. For me basketball paved my financial way through college but I am happy to be a part of this great foundation that will help the growth of future women and provide them with scholarship opportunities for them to work towards their professional goals and be successful. 

Board Member Delcia Mendez

Delcia Mendez is a Bronx, New York native that currently resides in Noblesville, IN.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Spanish Literature (cum laude) from Cornell University; a Master’s Degree in Comparative Literature from Michigan State University; and a Masters of Art in Teaching from University of Indianapolis.  She has taught at the collegiate level and currently teaches Spanish at Noblesville High School.

Although not an athlete herself, Delcia’s experience with youth basketball started with her two daughters.  Her daughter, Dani Mendez, plays on the Noblesville Girls Basketball Varsity High School team and her daughter, Joelle Mendez, plays with the Noblesville Girls Basketball Club.

I am excited to help build the scholarship program.  With my life’s dedication to education, I look forward to rewarding hard-working athletes for their work in the classroom, while continuing to encourage their participation in basketball.

Board Member: Candice Munoz

As a Military a military family, we moved to Indiana at the end of 2022 not knowing what to expect. Upon being stationed here, one of our priorities was to get RJ involved in a basketball program because at the age of 4 she was diagnosed with OCD and autism. As a family, we have used basketball as a form of therapy. Basketball has provided her the setting and opportunity to overcome her anxiety with socializing, getting out of her comfort zone, loud noises, her inability to control other responses to game time situations, and reading people faces which are all things that kids with diagnoses like hers struggle with. With that, when I started asking about youth basketball teams, I was almost always recommended to explore IGB.

My interest in wanting to help the program grow is a testament to my support in the overall mission of the program. Myself and my family truly believe that IGB has the girl’s best interest at the center of their decisions, and I would love to foster that while helping the organization grow. Having experience in grant writing, event planning, business development, fundraising, and the non-profit world I believe I could be an asset the board.

Board Member: Aaron Welch

I’m a lifelong sports fanatic that is passionate about continuing the joy and development for youth sports. I grew up in Carmel, Indiana and was always actively engaged in sports or watching my sister play basketball across the country.  I fell in love with basketball, but once my playing ‘career’ was over in high school, I decided to continue through coaching with Carmel Dad’s Club.  At the same time, I continued to play golf as my primary sport and played all 4 years at Carmel High School.  After graduation, I decided to go to Purdue University, where I graduated with a BS in Selling and Sales Management.  I met my wife of 18 years, Michele, at Purdue and we have continued to embrace Purdue Athletics and the kids to “Boiler Up!”  We have two children, Kellen (12) and Clara (10) who are actively involved in youth athletics and love basketball as well!  Clara has been with IGB for 3 years and had a blast every step of the way.

I have a passion and commitment to youth sports and background that uniquely combines selling and sales management, coaching, applied behavior science, and finance. I have extensive golf industry experience and knowledge from growing up on a golf course, Woodland Country Club, where my father was the PGA professional for more than 30 years.  My family and friends continue to be heavily engaged in the PGA network, and at any given family event you will find the PGA tour on. I have also had the privilege of being the Lids Foundation Golf Outing Chairman for multiple years, raising over $1 Million for the cause.

Board Member: Peter Williams