Stacey Smith
President & CEO
Stacey is the founder of PQC, specializing in business transformation and project management. Stacey has proven expertise in Six Sigma, Total Quality Management, and Continuous Improvement for diverse industries and business segments.
Over the last 25 years, her experiences have covered the public and private sectors, defense and aerospace, insurance/finance, human resources, and Information Technology arenas. She spent 21 years working in the military arena for prime contractors Northrop Grumman, Rockwell International and Lockheed Martin.
A Magna Cum Laude graduate from Berry University in Miami, Stacey founded PQC with a credo to “ensure we always add value to our customers, employees and our community.” Stacey has been recognized for improving processes, achieving cost efficiencies, and reducing process deviations for organizations in the public and private sector.
Charrisse Walker
Project Coordinator
Charrisse was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Ind. She graduated from the University of Northwestern Ohio with an associate degree in applied science.
Charrisse brings 25 years of experience in providing services to individuals with disabilities. In fact, her background includes experience as a caseworker for waiver services focused on supporting these individuals. Her life ambition is to help provide opportunities to help individuals attain their goals.
Charrisse is our Project Coordinator working with our Vocational Rehab, Pre-ETS and Food Patrol programs.
Jill provides Pre-ETS instruction services as part of the PQC team. She has been a lifelong supporter of educational opportunities for students who face a variety of employment barriers.
Jill brings experience working within her community to identify post-education opportunities for employment and knows the diverse demands that will need to be met in order to be successful in the post-high school transition. Jill has a strong desire to challenge and assist individuals in reaching their full academic, personal and social potential. She looks forward to meeting with the Pre-ETS students and preparing them for success before and after graduation.
Laura has grown up and lived in or around Muncie, Ind., most of her life. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix, and she previously worked as a behavioral coach as well as helped families through DCS.
Laura notes, “My passion is to help others to see their potential and aid them in finding ways to achieve their goals.”
Laura serves participants in our East Central Indiana Pre-ETS and Central Indiana VR programs.
Lana was born in Rockford, Ill., and raised in the northside suburbs of Chicago. Her absolute joy in life is being the mother of four beautiful daughters.
Lana brings over six years of experience working with individuals with barriers to employment. She has worked as both a Direct Support Professional and as an instructor within learning institutions.
She enjoys using creative approaches with students in the classroom to develop lifelong skills that empower them for their future. Lana is familiar with applying a variety of teaching methods and adapting them to the unique needs of her students to make sure they are able to meet their goals. She incorporates the values of strength, resilience, integrity and perseverance into all that she does.
Elizabeth joined PQC in the fall of 2019, bringing 25+ years of experience working in various social services positions. For example, she was instrumental in the creation of the successful “Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network” in 2008, which has helped thousands of Hoosiers save their homes from foreclosure. Later, serving as an Eligibility Specialist for the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Elizabeth assisted participants with applying for and receiving Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF. She also worked with many Public Housing Authorities in Family Self-Sufficiency.
Elizabeth has worked with many individuals with disabilities through job coaching, financial literacy training, and hands-on assessments to overcome barriers to housing and employment. She is excited to continue her career working with the under-served populations in Indiana to help them become self-sufficient and gain and retain long-term employment through her work at PQC.
Anna was born and raised in Indiana. She graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington with a degree in non-profit management.
Anna brings experience working with adults with disabilities in residential settings and has also worked with women with disabilities in Uganda to teach courses on composting. She enjoys traveling, reading, true crime podcasts, and coffee.
Cheyenne is a recent graduate of Manchester University with a bachelor’s degree in educational studies and psychology. She is new to the Fort Wayne area and has two dogs, Bella (German Shepherd) and Winnie (Goldendoodle), who are her whole world! In her free time outside of work, Cheyenne loves to sew, paint, explore new areas, and spend time with her partner and friends. She has experience in volunteering, resume building, planning and implementing large-scale events, using social media to grow a business, and safety-care training. Cheyenne also spent 10 months after her graduation as a Registered Behavior Technician in ABA. She is excited for a new adventure and career path that will help serve many individuals.
Billie has 15 years of experience working with FSSA programs and 12 years with Vocational Rehabilitation Services. She is certified as a Benefits Analysis Planning Liaison. Billie enjoys working with others, making new connections in the community, and teaching others how working can enhance every aspect of life. She has four children and four grandchildren.
Valerie was born and raised in Northeast Ohio and has lived in the South Bend, Ind., area for the past 15 years. She graduated from the University of Akron with a bachelor’s degree in consumer and family science and an associate degree in business administration.
Valerie brings 25 years’ experience in community and public health education, and for the past 10 years has worked in a school corporation teaching a community health and character education program. For the last three years, Valerie has worked in transition services, supporting and working with students with disabilities. In her spare time, she enjoys hobbies that include nature photography, spending time outdoors, and going to the beach.
Angela was born and raised in Marion, Ind., and graduated from Marion High School. She has three wonderful children.
Angela previously worked at the VA Medical Center for 15 years and really enjoyed working with the veterans. She is also a Direct Support Professional and likes working with individuals with autism and special needs.
In her spare time, Angela loves to garden, paint, shop, and spend time with her family and friends. She is excited and looking forward to meeting new people and expanding her skills here at PQC.
Rebecca was raised in sunny Southern California, later moving to Granger, Ind., with her husband and two children. She is currently working toward earning a degree in behavioral and social science at Bethel University.
Rebecca has worked in South Bend Schools for 15 years as an intern specialist and paraeducator, and she brings 20+ years of experience providing services to students and young adults. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys watching old movies and spending time with her family and friends.
Kalen is a Butler University graduate with a degree in psychology, and she plans to enter graduate school for a master’s degree in mental health counseling. She has experience working with a diverse group of individuals, including ages 3 to 50+.
Kalen currently lives with her geriatric Yorkie, Kobi, and they enjoy walks and finding new places to eat together.
Mandy was born in Muncie, Ind., and attended Ball State University. She brings a passion for helping people to her work at PQC, and she has prior experience working in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy.
Mandy’s hobbies include cooking and spending time with her 2-year-old daughter.
Sarah joined PQC in 2019 as an Employment Specialist. She received an associate degree in social work from Central Texas College and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Indiana Tech. Sarah has also obtained an HVAC certification.
Sarah’s background consists of working as an Eligibility Specialist, where she worked with people receiving Medicaid, SNAP and TANF benefits. She has personal experience working with individuals with disabilities to overcome employment barriers. With the combination of her social work background and knowledge of the trades, Sarah’s focus is to help others help themselves toward their personal and professional goals.