Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer

Executive Director

maryjane@firstthingspc.org

219.510.0383

Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer has served young children & families for over 25 years as a kindergarten teacher, researcher, policy consultant and teacher educator. In 2021, she was selected for the inaugural class of the Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute through the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance.

In June 2021, she began as Executive Director of First Things First Porter County. Prior to that, Eisenhauer was Interim Associate Director for the School of Education and Counseling at Purdue University Northwest and continues to work with national, state and local leaders to promote high quality early childhood development.

She earned her EdD in Curriculum & Social Inquiry/Early Childhood Development from National-Louis University and her BS in Speech-Language Pathology and MSEd in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University. Eisenhauer is Professor Emerita of Early Childhood Education at Purdue University Northwest.

Get to know Mary Jane

  • Observing the wonder of children’s friendships, play, and language

  • Being a wife and mom of three kids

  • King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood

  • Wooden blocks

  • My imaginary friend, Raggsie, who taught me how to zip up my coat

Kasandra Tenbarge

Associate Director

kasandra@firstthingspc.org

219.510.0383 x 209

A trusted fundraiser and relationship developer with more than 18 years of experience, Kasandra (Kasie) Tenbarge has helped to build and execute successful campaigns, programming, events, and volunteer boards across higher education, non-profit, and business sectors in Northwest Indiana. Throughout her career Kasie has held a deep respect and interest in the relationship and role of education within Porter County, as well as the role of education within greater Northwest Indiana.

Residing in Chesterton, IN she and her family are active members of the Chesterton United Methodist Church, and Kasie is also active in the Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club, and her local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She enjoys HIIT style exercise programs, jogging, singing in the praise band, playing the ukulele, bike riding around town and visiting the beach with her family. Kasie lives with her husband, Adam, and their two boys; AJ – 14, and Grayson – 12.

Get to know Kasandra

  • The life-long impact that these professionals have on children and families is very real, and having the opportunity to work alongside them and assist them in any way that we can is truly exciting and an honor.

  • Mom to Adam (AJ) and Grayson

  • On Top of Spaghetti by Paul Brett Johnson and Tom Glazer

  • My cloth doll, Jane

  • Ross Summer Music Theatre at Merrillville High School

Laura Green

Outreach Coordinator

laura@firstthingspc.org

219.510.0383

Laura Green grew up in Northwest Indiana and has been passionate about working in the early childhood field for as long as she can remember (she got an early start by following in the footsteps of her mom, a Pre-K educator). She has worked, volunteered, and interned in a multitude of early childhood settings over the past 20 years including childcare centers, preschools, early intervention, and home visiting programs. Throughout this time, she has also enjoyed speaking to students or other groups of professionals about early childhood development and roles in the early childhood field.

Laura graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Early Intervention that specialized her to work with families and children from birth-3. She volunteered on the First Things First Early Learning Collaborative workgroups for over a year before starting her position as the Outreach Coordinator. Laura is thrilled to be working alongside so many amazing professionals serving families in our community to help make Porter County the best place to have and raise a baby.

Get to know Laura

  • I love having the opportunity to witness the excitement and innocence children possess while discovering the world around them. It reminds me to appreciate the little things

  • Living out all the times I played house as a child by being a wife and mom to two wonderful children.

  • Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White and Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

  • Dolls

  • Playing! I loved using my imagination to engage in all types of pretend play

Hadassah Moore

Project Coordinator

hadassah@firstthingspc.org

Hadassah has been calling The Region “home” since 2017, previously living in Ohio. While new to the Early Childhood space specifically, her professional experience lies in not-for-profit program coordination. Her passion for equipping local communities began when she worked for United Way of Defiance County (OH), and she is proud to bring that passion to Porter County. Most recently, she served in PNW’s School of Education & Counseling, solidifying K-12 partnerships throughout Northwest Indiana.

Hadassah holds a B.A. in Applied Communications from Cedarville University and enjoys baking and word puzzles when she isn’t busy running after her toddler son.

Get to know Hadassah

  • Seeing the eagerness to improve young kiddos’ lives with all they know about early relational health and brain development

  • Serving as wife and mother

  • The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone

  • My Blue’s Clues set (I had it all: my own Thinking Chair, Handy Dandy Notebook, and figurines of all the characters)

  • Playing in Hamilton Lake with my cousins every summer at my grandparents’ house.

Advisory Board Members

Alisha Berglund | Director of Client Services, Berglund Construction

Dr. Matt Burden | President & CEO, Porter-Starke Services

Mark Chamberlain | Principal Financial Advisor, CAPTRUST

Tim Coleman | Senior Vice President, Centier Bank

Stephanie Didion | Director of the OB and Neonatal Services, Northwest Health

Bill Higbie | President & CEO, Porter County Community Foundation

Mike Jessen | President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana

Sharon Johnson | CEO, Valparaiso Family YMCA

Rebecca Lilovich | Early Educator and Local Parent

Megan Marshall | Financial Advisor & Relationship Manager, CAPTRUST

Cpl. Benjamin McFalls | Public Information Officer, Porter County Sheriff’s Department

Chuck Roberts | President & CEO, Lakeshore Public Media

Neil Samahon | President & CEO, Opportunity Enterprises

Dr. Stacey Schmidt | Superintendent, Porter Township School Corp

Dr. Amanda Zelechoski | Professor of Psychology/Founding Director of Clinical Training, Purdue Northwest