Leadership Team

Paula Hughes-Schuh is the CEO of the YWCA of Northeast Indiana, a 116-bed shelter specializing in services for domestic violence survivors and addiction treatment in Fort Wayne, IN. Previously Paula worked in corporate finance and private equity corporations, including Ambassador Enterprises and True North Strategic Advisors, and as the Vice President of Marketing for Transmission and Fluid Equipment, her family’s industrial distribution business. Paula was elected to the Allen County Council for eight years and served as its president in 2006 and 2010. Prior to being elected to the County Council, Paula served as the first full time President of the Downtown Improvement District of Fort Wayne and as the President of the Chamber of Commerce in Decatur, Indiana.

In 2020 Paula was recognized as Community Leader of the Year by KPC Media and in 2021 honored by the United Way of Allen County with their Outstanding Community Impact Award. She is a past two-time Chair of the State Board of Trustees for Ivy Tech, the nation’s largest community college, and a member of its Foundation Board, where she still serves. She is also a member of the board for the United Way of Allen County, and a member of the executive committee for G2 Rowing Association. Her commitment to service in the community is reflected in the many volunteer leadership posts she has held in a wide range of organizations, including the Allen County Redevelopment Commission and the Embassy Theater. She has served on the boards of over 20 local and regional non-profit organizations and has focused her volunteer activities in three areas: economic development, social service, and arts organizations.

Paula resides in Fort Wayne with her husband, Larry Schuh, her son, Beale, and their cat, Sweetheart. Her favorite things to do include baking, kayaking, and any run, walk, or bicycle race with treats at the end.

Aisha Pearson has served at YWCA Northeast Indiana for seven years. She began as a Case Manager and then transitioned to Lead Case Manager, Crisis Services Coordinator, Advocate Coordinator, and now serves as the Director of Residential Services.

Aisha earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the Indiana Institute of Technology. She also has participated in Foellinger’s Rising Leaders Lab, Leadership Development Initiative, and is trained in Trauma-Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing practices.

Aisha has a passion for helping others and works to build an inclusive and welcoming environment that is culturally sensitive to all who need the residential programs at YWCA.

Candice joined YWCA earlier in 2022 and has been working in the field of addiction for 10 years through home-based services and a halfway house prior to working at YWCA. She received her Master of Science from the University of Saint Francis and received her License in Mental Health Counseling in 2016. Candice has also recently completed training on the Matrix curriculum, a well-recognized clinically-focused curriculum that helps address the effects of substance use disorder with individuals in a group setting.

Carla has worked with YWCA for 5 years, supervising Bonnie’s House, which provides shelter in a crisis to people who need to escape Domestic Violence, Stalking, Human Trafficking, Sexual Assault, and similar crimes.  Carla also supervises our Racial Justice work, our Housing programs, the Therapy programs for survivors of those crimes, and our Children’s Services.  Previously, Carla has worked with Amani Family Services, SCAN, Vincent Village, and AWS, now called Benchmark. 

Carla studied social work at Juniata College, and explored the field through 2 years of volunteer service through BVS and Americorps at the San Antonio Catholic Worker House and the Frederick, MD Emergency Coalition for Human Needs.  She found she had a passion for seeking to improve services to people who have had limited access to financial resources, housing, and other opportunities, seeking to improve access.  She completed her MSW at IUPUI.  Carla was awarded the Young Alumni Award by Juniata College, and in 2018 was named Social Worker of the Year for Northeast Indiana by Region 3 of NASW.

Carla enjoys the many cultural events and local restaurants available in our community, and loves reading and chatting with friends.  Her 3 grown children are all unique and thoughtful young adults, and she is lucky to have the best match she could ask for in her spouse.  She tries to garden, and her most successful crop has been raspberries, as more of them come back every year on their own!

Kristina has many years of experience in brand development, content marketing, digital promotion, and revenue generation. Prior to joining YWCA Northeast Indiana in October 2019, she served Northeast Indiana through various high level roles in the for-profit and nonprofit arenas.

She is well-known throughout the region from her past business columns including “Business UNusual” in The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly and “MBA 101” in Business People. She has served on various boards and committees, including state appointed roles.  She has also taught business and marketing classes in higher education for over 10 years.

Kristina enjoys spending time with her husband, Tim, and daughter, Hailey, along with their dog, Sampson, cat, Mia, and her 14 chickens. She is also a grandma to Daisy, her daughter’s fur baby.  Her favorite pastimes include travel, fishing, archery, skeet shooting, riding her wave runner, and watching her favorite movies over and over again.  Her favorite TV shows are the Andy Griffith Show and Big Bang Theory. 

Jennifer works to uphold the YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women through overseeing the YWCA’s Community Education, Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocacy, and Dress for Success programming. Jennifer has served the YWCA since June 2013 and has previously held the position of Community Education Coordinator. She has been actively involved in providing a variety of educational trainings to the community on the topics of domestic violence, diversity, cyberbullying, and healthy/unhealthy relationships. She is currently a member of the Mayor’s Commission on Domestic Violence, Rape, and Sexual Harassment, as well as a member of several Domestic Violence Taskforces.  

 Jennifer is a 2015 New Professional Journey Fellow, a 2016 award recipient of Fort Wayne Business Weekly’s 20 Millennials Making A Difference, and a 2017 graduate of the Foellinger Leadership Lab. Jennifer is a graduate from Purdue University, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Health Promotion.

Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter exploring the many family friendly events, parks, and activities around Fort Wayne. She also enjoys completing DIY projects to give her mind a break and get a chance to do more labor intensive activities. She also loves to relax in the evening with a good TV series.