The Indiana Energy Independence Fund is the state’s nonprofit green bank offering Indiana residents concrete investment solutions that make a difference where it matters most: in Hoosier communities.

Our approach is rooted in the belief that clean energy should be accessible to all, regardless of income or geography.

Whether it’s helping homeowners save money on their energy bills, assisting businesses in reducing their carbon footprint or partnering with nonprofit organizations to implement sustainability projects, we’re dedicated to building a brighter, more sustainable future for Indiana. With tailored financing options, expert support and a passion for making a difference, we want to help you create a more sustainable and resilient tomorrow.

Indiana Energy Independence Fund Staff

Alex Crowley

Executive Director
acrowley@energyindependencefund.org

View Bio

Alex Crowley

Alex Crowley is executive director of the Indiana Energy Independence Fund (IEIF), Indiana’s nonprofit green bank. IEIF inspires and drives efforts to promote accessible, equitable, and just investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy to support healthy and thriving communities across Indiana.

Alex’s professional background combines economic development, sustainability, marketing, and operations management in a variety of sectors. He most recently served as the director of the City of Bloomington’s Department of Economic and Sustainable Development. Before joining IEIF, he held leadership positions at Ogilvy & Mather: New York, AT&T, and Insight Communications and has helped to run and launch small businesses in and around Bloomington, Indiana.

Chris Kerlin

Contractor Account Manager
ckerlin@energyindependencefund.org

View Bio

Chris Kerlin

Chris Kerlin is the Contractor Account Manager with the Indiana Energy Independence Fund (IEIF), Indiana’s nonprofit green bank. IEIF inspires and drives efforts to promote accessible, equitable, and just investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy to support healthy and thriving communities across Indiana.

Chris’ professional background includes experience in commercial lighting, solar products and other building energy saving technologies. He has also worked in affordable housing, refugee assistance and school construction. Chris worked for the U.S. Green Building Council as their Executive Director in New Mexico. He is a LEED® Accredited Professional for Building Operations and Maintenance.

Logan Gunning

2024 McKinney Climate Fellow
lsgunnin@indiana.edu

View Bio

Logan Gunning

Logan Gunning is a McKinney Climate Fellow with the Indiana Energy Independence Fund. He is a Master of Public Affairs student at Indiana University Bloomington concentrating in Public Financial Administration and Policy Analysis and has a longstanding interest in social and environmental law and policy and energy justice. Before beginning his Master’s and participating in the McKinney Climate Fellows Program, Logan earned Bachelor’s degrees in International Studies and Spanish Linguistics, and went on to spend a year in Madrid teaching English, history, and geography.

Board of Directors

Amandula Anderson

View Bio

Amandula Anderson

Amandula Anderson is the Executive Director the Illinois Facilities Fund’s Indiana Region, which includes statewide consulting, lending and development across Indiana and in Louisville, KY. Grounded in equity and deep sector expertise, IFF is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that champions nonprofits to shape more equitable and vibrant communities through community-centered lending, development, and real estate consulting. Amandula has 20+ years-experience in the nonprofit sector where she has led two community-based organizations – Irvington Development Organization and United Northeast CDC; convened a Quality-of-Life initiative on the northeast side of Indianapolis; directed a program to facilitate a two-generational approach to supporting families within 5 Indianapolis communities; and spent a few years supporting affordable housing through a tax credit syndicator. She is a graduate of Arlington High School, received her BS in Public Affairs from IUPUI and has a Masters in Real Estate Development at University of Indianapolis. In her role at IFF, Amandula is a natural connector. In her role with IFF, she is building statewide opportunities to elevate facilities and finance to help nonprofits be in spaces that meet the needs of their clients and brings dignity to all.

Amandula is married to Marlon and they have 5 amazing children along with a pet yorkie.

Stephanie Goodrid Lawson

President

View Bio

Stephanie Goodrid Lawson

Stephanie Goodrid Lawson is the Executive Director of the McKinney Family Foundation, where she implements the Foundation’s strategies in environmental justice, climate solutions, and strengthening democracy to empower Indiana communities to live in a healthier, more prosperous and more sustainable manner. She has presented at the Climate Infrastructure Forum in Barcelona, Spain, the Bloomberg Philanthropies American Cities Climate Challenge Partners Meeting in New York and the Climate and Energy Funders Group conferences. She is a member of the adjunct faculty at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She is a recipient of the 2022 Hoosier Resilience Hero Award. Stephanie’s previous experience has been in advancement for Eskenazi Health Foundation and Indiana University Foundation. Prior to becoming a professional fundraiser, Stephanie dedicated her early career to human rights focused international nongovernmental organizations such as the Center for the Prevention of Genocide in Washington, DC, and the International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent in Geneva, Switzerland. Stephanie holds an MPA in nonprofit management from the Indiana University O’Neil School of Public and Environmental Affairs and a BA in global public health, international affairs and political science from The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs.

Currently in Indianapolis she enjoys volunteering in her community, holding board positions at Indiana Conservation Voters, IU Environmental Resilience Institute, Audubon Great Lakes, and American Pianist Association.

Jane Martin

Treasurer

View Bio

Jane Martin

Jane Martin, CFA, is a retired Venture Capitalist and Impact Investor having managed funds in Chicago , Silicon Valley, Massachusetts and the Midwest. She founded the Lake Monroe Water Fund which is one of The Nature Conservancy’s affiliated water funds, She is on several non- profit boards and is focused on philanthropy and environmental policy and financing.

Marni McKinney

Morgan Mickelson

Secretary

View Bio

Morgan Mickelson

A dedicated public servant, Morgan started her career in the environmental non-profit field and now contributes to the common good through her work in local government. She is an advocate for climate justice and works to increase awareness on the interconnectedness of climate change, as it intersects with other important issues of today.

Currently Morgan serves as the Director of the Office of Sustainability with the City of Indianapolis. In this role, she oversees the implementation of the City’s first sustainability and resilience action plan, Thrive Indianapolis. Prior to taking on this role, she worked closely with the Office of Sustainability as the Climate Advisor through the American Cities Climate Challenge to guide the direction of the first environmental-focused policy to come out of the Office of Sustainability. Morgan holds a Master of Science in Climate Justice from Glasgow Caledonian University.

Heather Presley-Cowen

View Bio

Heather Presley-Cowen

Heather Presley-Cowen is a distinguished expert with a remarkable career spanning more than 25 years in housing and economic development. She specializes in collaborating with government, community, and business leaders to craft tailor-made solutions for addressing local housing and community development needs. With a wealth of experience, Heather brings a unique perspective to communities striving to thrive in today’s challenging economic environment.

Heather is renowned as a “capital stacker,” and she is the visionary behind the Housing Optimization Market Empowerment (H.O.M.E.) Method. This proprietary housing delivery system is designed to expedite and optimize workforce housing solutions. Heather’s forte lies in partnering with elected officials and community leaders to undertake both large- and small-scale housing-related placemaking initiatives.

For nearly two decades, Heather served as the senior executive responsible for directing, developing, and planning housing and neighborhood development strategies in Indiana’s second-largest city, Fort Wayne. In 2010, she founded CED Services, an Indiana-certified minority-owned women’s business
enterprise, to continue her mission of catalyzing community growth.

Under Heather’s visionary leadership, CED Services operates two distinct but complementary divisions: Capital Stacker and Club 720. Capital Stacker is recognized for its innovative approach to designing financing structures that bridge seemingly insurmountable development financing gaps. Heather’s expertise lies in crafting solutions that not only address the housing crisis but also measurably bridge the wealth gap.

Heather works primarily with local governments, empowering communities through Housing Resource Hubs led by charismatic and capable leaders with #Swagger. These leaders undergo a rigorous 6-12 month process, guided by Heather and her team, to harness the full potential of their housing markets and establish sustainable housing production systems.

On the technology front, Club 720, a software-as-a-service platform pioneered by Heather, stands as a game-changer. It operates as an Amazon-like marketplace, connecting banks, lenders, HUD-certified Housing Counselors, and Club 720 coaches with users through a user-friendly mobile app. Club 720 plays a pivotal role in building a robust pipeline of buyers and renters to fill available housing units produced through Heather’s innovative methods.

Heather’s role in setting the stage for downtown development has been recognized in various publications, including Novogradac’s Journal of Tax Credits and Fort Wayne Magazine. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious 40 Under 40 award and is frequently invited as a featured presenter at numerous professional membership organizations. Heather also provides guest commentary in business articles on various housing and community development-related topics.