Carlene D. Heeter was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Spending her childhood summers in God’s Country, Tennessee enriched her with her giving personality and southern ways.  Married twenty years, she and her husband Kevin have four children and two grandchildren. 

     Carlene started her pursuit of higher education later in life when her children were old enough to fend for themselves.  Faced with criticism she made the decision to withdraw, but her husband refused to allow her to become a quitter.  His pushing encouraged her to obtain her Associates of Science degree with high honors.  She pressed on under great strain, enduring until she earned her Master’s of Science in Management degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in December 1999.

     Carlene was one of 25 up and coming community leaders selected to participate in the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series Class of XXI, graduating June 1997.  Although she was only able to complete the first year, in 2000 Carlene was once again selected as one of 21 family advocates from across the U.S. as a United Way of America/Annie E. Casey Foundation (UWA-AECF) Fellow.  The national training was held at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
     Carlene has over 20 years working experience in the non-profit sector.  She currently works in social services where she provides services to senior citizens and people with disabilities, which enables them to live independently and comfortable on their own.  Carlene loves her city and has volunteered her talents in PR and marketing for civic events at public schools, Indy 500 Festival, Indiana Black Expo, Circle City Classic, NAACP, NCAA Final Four and others. 

     Carlene loves to shop, roller-skate and line-dancing.  She recently picked up two new hobbies of motorcycle riding, and her favorite passion of all has become drag racing Corvettes.  In addition to the fun she continues in her faith and attending church services.  Talk about picking up the pieces and pressing on; this woman is a prime example of what God can bring you through!