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Allissa M. Impink is the Director of Family Philanthropy, Sr. Philanthropic Advisor, Glick Philanthropies at Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) and she lives in Fletcher Place, where she serves as the neighborhood association’s (FPNA) co-president.
Allissa’s self-described personal mission is to “cultivate meaningful relationships while positively impacting my community through engagement, equitable grant-making, and joy.” She has a passion for innovation and ingenuity, and a keen appreciation for equitable systems, processes, and structures.
In her personal time, Allissa loves walking, eating at locally owned restaurants and coffee shops, and biking on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail with her husband Matt and their daughters Alice, Mari, and Josephine (Mari and Josephine are twins). Over to you, Allissa!
My Maven Superpower is … making personal connections and finding intersectionalities between people.
A fun fact about me is … I have a speech impediment (a stutter), and growing up when introducing myself to others, I wasn’t able to say my name. However, over the years, I’ve empowered myself by volunteering for opportunities to speak in front of others, and I lean into opportunities to verbally engage with others; it’s a form of speech therapy!
Best book I’ve read lately is … Professional Troublemaker: The Fear Fighter Manual by Luvvie Ajayi Jones.
My first job was … Family Case Manager at the Department of Child Services.
The skill I most want to learn is … to become fluent in Spanish.
My favorite nonprofit to support is … Southeast Community Services Center (SECS).
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Self-care habit I swear by is … Bikram hot yoga at The Hot Room.
I feel most confident when … I walk into a room or space with people who are comfortable with giving hugs.
The best career advice I can offer is to … make genuine connections. Get to know people and listen. If you want to learn, you have to give up talking.
Favorite purchase lately is … Blessed Locs By Nina’s (@iblessdreads) Hydrating Loc Mist! My loctician makes a healthy loc mist that I use on my hair daily. It’s made with all natural ingredients (rose water, aloe vera juice, and a wonderful smelling essential oil blend) that is super moisturizing! This mist can be used on locs, braids, and loose natural hair.
My favorite local restaurant dish is … Spinach Tilapia from Bosphorus Istanbul Café.
The thing I’ve been snacking on lately is … cocoa brownies from Amelia’s.
A Maven you should know is … Krissie Aguilar; Krissie is an HR director, full-time mom, and the owner of the most delicious healthy food blog called “Bites of Flavor.”
The thing I’ve achieved lately that I’d like to celebrate with the Maven community is … giving birth to 3 children in 13 months — two c-sections in two years and being physically and mentally healthy!
What’s next for me is … my work towards equitable grant-making in Central Indiana.
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Stephanie Groves is the Executive Editor of Indy Maven.
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