2023 Top 10 Under 40 Winners
*The title and company listed reflect the recipient's position and affiliation at the time of recognition.
Juliana Casavan
Juliana is a program designer and facilitator and teaches others how to build and implement strategies for success. Currently, Juliana is Director of Operations for MatchBOX Coworking Studio, the leading coworking space in Greater Lafayette, Indiana, where she coaches local startups and entrepreneurs through strategic planning and product development.
She also owns Casavan Consulting, providing sustainability consulting for academic research teams in software.
Ja'Niah Downing
In Ja’Niah’s role at Purdue University, he frames the recruitment efforts around undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds.
He has had the opportunity to serve the Indiana Association for College Admissions Counselors as President and Chair of the Inclusion, Access, and Success Committee. He has also served on the board of a local church, various educational events and provided academic counseling to those interested in higher education.
Prior to Purdue, Ja’Niah spent two years at Ivy Tech Community College and four years at his alma mater, Illinois State University.
Gicelle Garcia
Gicelle serves as Program Manager and Research Associate at Purdue University Center for Health Equity & Inclusion.
Ebony Gilbert
Ebony Gilbert has worked as a school counselor with Tippecanoe School Corporation for 11 years. Her passion is working with young people to help them overcome challenges and help them to realize their full potential, and seeks to do this through all aspects of her work as a school counselor.
She serves as an advisor for student groups at the high school which focuses on service to the community, developing leadership skills, building confidence, and creating a culture of belonging.
She is also actively involved with the state and national associations for school counselors participating in committees and mentoring new counselors.
Emily Jones
Emily R. Jones (she/her) currently works at Purdue University as a Communication Specialist with Student Success Programs and a Limited Term Lecturer with the Brian Lamb School of Communication.
When Emily isn’t in the office or in the classroom, she is working towards her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing.
Emily is proud to serve on the board of directors for Tippecanoe Senior Services and regularly volunteers with their Meals on Wheels program. She is also a graduate of Leadership Lafayette — a program aimed at getting young professionals involved in local nonprofits.
Steve Schlenk
Steve Schlenk serves as the assistant vice president for marketing and communications at the Purdue for Life Foundation, which helps people who love Purdue University stay connected, get involved and give back. He leads a team of 25 professionals while overseeing editorial, design and multimedia efforts.
Steve earned his bachelor’s degree from Purdue’s Brian Lamb School of Communication, where he has volunteered as a mentor through the Lamb School Mentor Program, and he earned an MBA from Purdue’s Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business.
Outside of the office, Steve has served on the Purdue Convocations Friends Advisory Board, the Lafayette Symphony Foundation Board of Directors and as president of the board for the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus.
He has received more than 50 awards from the American Advertising Federation and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
Michelle Korf
Michelle moved to Lafayette in 2018 after getting her bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Michelle has since been working for Evonik in Lafayette, currently in the position of Production Planning Manager in the supply chain department.
She also recently completed her MBA through the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Michelle enjoys volunteering at Lafayette Urban Ministry and serving as a greeter at Connection Point Church.
Casey Spencer
Casey Spencer currently works as Vice President, Treasury Management at State Bank. She has over 13 years banking experience primarily focusing on commercial and business banking solutions. Her expertise offers cash flow guidance and solutions to corporations, municipalities, and not-for-profits of all sizes.
In addition to her banking career, Casey has a strong passion for the Greater Lafayette community. She is currently a member of YWCA Greater Lafayette Board of Directors, past Treasurer, YWCA Finance Committee and Community Foundation Greater Lafayette Finance Committee.
She also volunteers her time with programs like ‘She Leads’ at James Cole Elementary, Junior Achievement, and much more.
Allison Maldonado-Ruiz
Allison Maldonado-Ruiz holds a Master of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology from Florida State University.
Allison began her professional career with Purdue University in July 2018 and she now serves as the Associate Director of Retention and Diversity in the Recruitment, Retention and Diversity office for the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. In this role, she oversees initiatives and programming related to retention with a focus on diversity.
Allison has also served on the board of the Latino Center for Wellness and Education, a 501c3, since 2020. Together they host free community events, partner with local resource providers, and award scholarships to high school, college, and adult students.
Allison is a proud Peruana, immigrant, first-generation student, and community leader.
Yadira Santiago
Yadira serves as a clinical assistant professor and the director of Purdue University’s family nurse practitioner program.