OUR TEAM
ANGIE MONTGOMERY, FOUNDER & CEO
Angie Montgomery is an occupational therapist with a master’s degree in occupational therapy and bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Indianapolis. She is passionate about mental health and uses her expertise to equip the people she serves in taking manageable and realistic steps forward toward their goals. Angie is committed to engaging students, businesses, community organizations, and civic leaders through regular public speaking platforms to drive positive change in the perception of people working in the adult entertainment industry and open doors for them in the community.
ALI FALCONE, CASE MANAGER
Ali Falcone will obtain her Master's in Social Work in May 2024. In 2020 she earned a bachelor’s in Women and Gender Studies with minors in Human Services and Religious Studies through Indiana University. In 2014 she completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training and continues to practice mindfulness. She’s dedicated to activism for human rights and social justice advocacy. Throughout her undergrad, she’s worked in addiction treatment, domestic violence shelters, education, and mental health services. Ali is also passionate about standing in solidarity with sex workers to eliminate any shame or stigma they may face. She is honored to be a Made Strong Case Manager!
MELISSA GROSSMAN, BOARD PRESIDENT
Melissa is a social services professional with extensive experience in serving vulnerable populations, including survivors of trafficking, through Amani Family Services and Catholic Charities. As an active member of the local anti-trafficking coalition, Melissa has assisted in community education and collaboration to meet the needs of local survivors. Through her professional and educational experience, Melissa provides a holistic perspective and approach in meeting the needs of those served by Made Strong .
ANH DINH-LAPSLEY, BOARD SECRETARY
Anh is a higher education professional with over 14 years of experience. She graduated from the University of Saint Francis with her Master’s in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing and Management. She has worked in nonprofit and for-profit institutions. She currently works at Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne/Warsaw as a Talent Connection Manager and serves on different boards and committees throughout Allen County. Anh works with many student populations; including those affected by sex trafficking and has served as a CASA/GAL Volunteer where she was an advocate for children who have been abused and/or neglected and determined their needs and made recommendations as to what was in the best interest of the child. She has a passion for helping others achieve their long-term and short-term goals through education and setting stepping stones to accomplishing their dreams. Anh’s experiences, skills, and knowledge assists Made Strong Ministries in assisting women through creating an educational plan to accomplish lifelong goals and achievements.
WILLIE C. SMITH, BOARD MEMBER
Willie Smith is a financial adviser at Thrivent Financial, living out his mission to help individuals and families gain financial success through customized, holistic financial planning. As an Indiana native, Willie earned his bachelor's degree from Purdue University in Lafayette, and went to Indiana State University for his master’s degree. Willie is committed to addressing sex trafficking through community engagment and nonprofit collaboration. He feels the impact of Made Strong is essential to empowering individuals in the sex work community and providing holistic services for family systems.
COLIN SHOEMAKER , BOARD MEMBER
Colin is an education professional with over 12 years of experience in elementary and pre-K classrooms. He graduated from Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2013 with his bachelor’s degree in General Studies and completed a post-graduate program in education at Taylor University, Upland. As an educator, he had the pleasure of teaching students from a variety of backgrounds including those with parents in the sex work community. These experiences reinforced Colin’s belief that all children have dignity, as do all parents.
He and his husband Eric have been married for 6 years and welcomed their first child, Clara Rose, in 2022. This led him to transition from teaching to full-time parenting, a job as challenging as it is gratifying. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Colin has a passion for the underserved and for those who break the norms of society. As a former educator, he loves encouraging others to become their best selves. This passion for service and growth led him to Made Strong where he plans to help others pursue their dreams.
BRI ANDREWS , BOARD MEMBER
Bri is passionate about volunteerism and community development. She is the Program Manager of The Elara Caring Hospice Volunteers, Travel Speaker and Student Advocate with The Respect Team, Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Allen County Young Democrats, and the Lieutenant Officer and Community Activist with The Origional Black Panther Party of Fort Wayne. She has a heart for people and is committed to protecting and advocating for the underrepresented. Bri joined the Made Strong board so she can do just that—be a prescence and voice for minority groups in Northeast Indiana.