Staff

Lisa Dan

Executive Director

Lisa Dan is currently Executive Director of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation.  She served as Administrative Assistant of the Foundation from 2006-2020.  She is a lifelong resident of Starke County, with short stops in Fort Wayne and Bloomington, and then back to Starke County where she raised her three sons and currently resides.  She is a graduate of International Business College in Fort Wayne.  Lisa has over 35 years’ experience as an office administrator in the public, non-profit, and for-profit sectors.  She brings to the position top-notch organizational and interpersonal skills.  She understands the vision, is able to design its processes, and causes implementation to its ultimate end.  She will always strive to improve the quality of life for Starke County citizens through job creation, retention, expansion, and workforce development efforts.

Mary Perren

Executive Assistant

Mary Perren joined the Starke County Economic Development Foundation team as the Executive Assistant in May of 2021. The North Judson native most recently worked at the Starke County Highway Department as the asset manager and previously served as the news director for WKVI-AM/FM and WYMR-FM in Knox. She holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the University of Indianapolis and worked in radio news for several years in Kentucky and Tennessee before returning to Northwest Indiana. Perren's knowledge of Starke County, extensive experience in covering federal, state, and local government and strong communications background make her a good fit for the Foundation. She also serves as treasurer of the Starke County Convention and Visitors Commission board of directors, as secretary of the Knox Gateway Committee and is aa member of the North Judson United Methodist Church Council as well as the Kankakee Valley Cooperative Parish Board of Directors. 

Linda Lewandowski

Bookkeeper

Linda joined the SCILL staff as administrative assistant in February 2016. Prior to working at SCILL, she spent many years in office management for a local company. Her passion lies in the needs of children and teenagers of Starke County. In 2012, she established Kid’s Closet Ministry at the North Judson United Methodist Church and serves as the volunteer executive director.  She has handled bookeeping responsibiliteis for both SCILL and SCEDF since June of 2018.