About Indiana
Alliance

Jackie Franks is the Executive Director of Indiana Alliance on Prenatal Substance Exposure. Jackie is an Illinois native and received her bachelor’s degree in health science and master’s degree in Public Health from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL. Jackie has worked extensively in health education, promotion, and primary disease prevention for over a decade. She is a mental health advocate and passionate about substance use prevention and harm reduction. Jackie volunteers as a mentor and recovery advocate and has committed her career and much of her personal life to helping Hoosiers live their healthiest lives. Jackie serves on several coalitions and collaboratives including the Governing Council for Indiana Perinatal Quality Improvement Committee for the Indiana State Department of Health.

Jackie enjoys exploring the world and has visited over 29 countries and 33 U.S. States. She believes opening her mind to the way of life in different places and cultures has helped shape her views about public health and all aspects of a human’s wellbeing. Jackie is a believer in using the power of community and connection to nature to shape health outcomes. One of Jackie’s core beliefs is that if you have more than you need in life, you should build a longer table not a higher fence.

In her free time, Jackie loves to read, garden, birdwatch, stargaze, drink good coffee, and her mailman would argue she also loves online shopping. Jackie is proud to call Warsaw, Indiana her home where she lives with her two dogs (Luke and Leia) and fortunately, many of her closest friends reside on the same street.

Emelia graduated from Anderson University with a Bachelor’s in social work and Spanish. While in school, she focused on macro the level social work by pursuing a practicum in community development. During this role, she found her passion for connecting with others and seeking the potential in people and projects. This passion is what led her to become a part of IN Alliance. By serving in the Outreach and Development Director role, she can use her skills to share and grow the mission of IN Alliance. In her spare time, Emelia likes to exercise, find fun outdoor activities, and spend time with family and friends. She loves being in the sunshine, reading a good book or baking something yummy.

Maria is the Program Manager for Indiana Alliance on Prenatal Substance Exposure. Maria was born and raised in Plymouth, Indiana and now resides in the small town of Argos, Indiana. Maria started with Indiana Alliance on Prenatal Substance Exposure as a sub-contractor managing social media/website platforms and creating marketing pieces. Maria’s role as a Program Manager includes marketing and assisting with Indiana Alliance’s new endorsement program through the Hoosier Families First grant. Outside of work, Maria spends her time with her family; Fiancé, two children and 3 dogs. She loves online shopping, cooking and the great outdoors.

Susan founded Indiana Alliance on Prenatal Substance Exposure at her dining room table in 2013. She served as the Executive Director of IN Alliance and Family Advocacy for Mental Health America of Indiana until 2022. She continues to serve on the Family Empowerment and Youth Committee for Indiana’s Systems of Care, the Indiana Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative and Perinatal Substance Use subcommittee, and she chairs the FASD subcommittee for the Commission for Improving the Status of Children. Susan served as the Indiana Title V Family Delegate from 2013-2016. She was a family fellow with Riley Child Development Center LEND program.

In addition to her state level work Susan has national presence through FASD United, formerly NOFAS. Susan currently serves as the Network and Training Vice President. Her responsibilities include increasing capacity and effectiveness of the network, training and equipping stakeholders and representing the company interviews and speaking engagements. She served as chair of the executive council, was the first FASD United affiliate coordinator.

Susan has a BA in Business Management from Anderson University and an AS in Criminal Justice and Corrections from Ball State University. Susan was a licensed foster parent from 2002-2014 and mentors both foster and adoptive parents. A mother to 13 children, she and her husband Duane adopted 9 foster children: 5 with FASD, 1 with Celiac Disease, and 3 with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RADS). As a previous Executive Director of New Horizons Maternity Home, she has experience counseling birth mothers and their families.