Women for Riley
Women for Riley is a group of dedicated women supporting Riley Children’s Health through three core pillars: Grants, Volunteering, and Prom.
We raise awareness of Riley’s programs and provide direct support by volunteering weekly in the hospital. Our commitment is strengthened through community events, service, and our signature annual Prom, which brings joy to young patients and their families. Women for Riley is also proud to be part of the Noble Society. Named after Mark Noble, Riley Hospital’s first patient, the Noble Society honors individuals and organizations that have made transformational investments in Riley of $1 million or more.
Bringing the fun with Riley Prom
In May 2024, Women for Riley transported the imaginations of Riley patients and families around the Hoosier state through its annual Prom event.
The theme was "All Across Indiana" and attendees enjoyed an immersive event experience that celebrated everything from sports to the Indy 500, arts and more with special decor, games, swag, entertainment, memorable photos, food and dancing for the whole family.
In addition to an in-person event experience, Women for Riley created and delivered 125 special interactive gift boxes to those in-patients for treatment and 125 themed gift bags to NICU parents at Riley Children's Health downtown and IU Health North campuses.
To add excitement and an educational component, the group debuted a custom-produced and world travel-themed TV show that aired on CCTV.
If your business would like to help us bring joy to Riley families at Prom, please contact sponsorship@womenforriley.com.
Volunteering to help Riley kids and team members
Women for Riley members can also become trained Riley volunteers and participate in different activities each month at the hospital.
Volunteers support patients and families by assisting with the Kiwanis Parent Comfort Cart throughout the year. With nearly 200 volunteer hours logged among 25 volunteers, Women for Riley members were able to make a direct and personal impact within the hospital this past year.
As pandemic safety measures allow, Women for Riley volunteer opportunities in the hospital are expected to expand.
Making an impact through grants
Women for Riley members support a compelling grants program that advances its mission and impacts individual patients, their families and the hospital as a whole.
Grants submitted by Riley personnel are reviewed in February when the grants committee members vote to approve grants in amounts up to $10,000.
To date, Women for Riley has awarded more than $1.8 million in grants.
The 2023-2024 grants that were approved include:
- Improving Patient Safety Using Ben Guard
- Arterial Punctures in Neonates Using Transillumination
- Automatic Blood Pressure Systems for Transplant Patients
- From Pre-op to PICU: Creating calming environments for pediatric patients at IU North
- Helping to Clear the Way in patients with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia
- End of Life Support for Patients, Families and Staff through a Creative Arts Therapies Approach
- Riley Grief Services (formerly Hope in Healing/Riley Bereavement)
- Acute Care NPD Education
- Safe Travel for Infants and Children
- Foster Care Bridge Clinic Book Nook
- Psychological Debriefing for Maternity Team
- Women of Riley Trauma Closet
- The Cleft and Craniofacial Special Needs Fund
Interested in joining?
New member classes are formed once a year and prospective member events are held throughout the year.
If you would like more information regarding membership, email joinus@womenforriley.com and designate Membership in the subject line.
Meet the Women for Riley Leadership
Dana Foreman
President
Megan Mioduski
President Elect
Katelyn Fisher & Natalie Skillman
Secretary
Stephanie Maresh
Treasurer
Shelbi Grow & Michelle Baxter
Social Media Co-Chairs
Christina Radford & Irem Rashidfarokhi
Social Events Co-Chairs
Stephanie Sparrow & Kate Henderson
In-Patient Prom Co-Chairs
Sarah Hopen & Mallory Lauth
In-Person Prom
Molly Ball & Kelly Norton
Sponsorship Chair
Juli Hollingsworth & Whitney Coles
Grants Co-Chairs
Aleigha Clifford & Kristin Baranack
Membership Co-Chairs
Megan Mioduski & Sarah Whitely
Volunteering Co-Chairs
Laurie Schneider
Alumni Relations
Lee Neff
Strategic Advisor
Andrea Kleymeyer
Past President
Donna Fischer
Riley Children’s Foundation Staff Liaison
Past Presidents:
- 2008-09 - Wendy Kaufman
- 2009-10 - Tracy Miller
- 2010-11 - Tracy Hugenard & Julie Eskenazi
- 2011-12 - Julie Eskenazi
- 2012-13 - Jill Burnett
- 2013-14 - Lee Neff
- 2014-15 - Julia McCallum & Heather McLaughlin
- 2015-16 - Barbara McLaughlin
- 2016-17 - Dara Wade
- 2017-18 - Kristy Murphy
- 2018-19 - Lindsay Thornton
- 2019-20 - Kasee Carlstedt
- 2020-21 - Amy Kraner
- 2021-22 - Alison Zink
- 2022-23 - Laurie Schneider
- 2023-24 - Andrea Kleymeyer
Interested in joining Women for Riley?
To learn more about joining Women for Riley, please submit an interest form and tell us a little about yourself.