ABOUT SONDRA

Professional  

Sondra earned her MBA in Finance at Indiana University Kelley School of Business in 1981. She received honors for her academic achievement.  Upon graduation, she came to Columbus to work for Cummins Inc. in Finance.  Since then, Sondra has also worked in Human Resources and is currently the HR Director of Ethics Investigations, with worldwide responsibility. She has been involved in diversity and inclusion activity at Cummins for over 20 years.

Community & Church

Sondra was the recipient of the 2008 William R. Laws Human Rights Award for her volunteer work in Columbus. She has served on various Boards in Bartholomew County, as well as participating in numerous other volunteer activities.  In support of healthy families, she served as president of Family Services, Inc. Board of Directors, and volunteered as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for abused and neglected children.  Humanitarian endeavors include volunteering with the Empty Bowls dinner every year since its inception, as well as frequently participating with Housing Partners, Inc. to improve living conditions for needy families in the county.  She has also worked with United Way and CECCF, the charity arm of Cummins Inc. in surrounding Southern Indiana counties.  In the arts, Sondra served as president of the Theatre Arts Guild Board for several years.  She was also stage manager and even acted in some of the productions of Theatre Arts Guild and Mill Race Players, encouraged by her oldest daughter who was involved in theater at CNHS.  In service to the city and its many diverse members, she was a founding member and presently holds a leadership position with the Gay Straight Alliance of Columbus.  She also is a co-founder and steering committee member of the Inclusive Community Coalition.  In addition, Sondra was a Master Facilitator and part of the leadership of the Principle Centered Community effort involving Stephen Covey, Sr. and the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People training through the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.  In service to her church, she has previously served in various leadership positions, including President, of the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus, IN.  Currently, she holds the position of Secretary of the Board in this growing congregation. 

Throughout her involvement in these various roles, Sondra has had the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other involved members of the county, building relationships along the way that will facilitate the cooperation necessary to move our county forward.  Most recently, Sondra has been a volunteer with Flood Aid ’08, Samaritan’s Purse and other flood relief efforts in Bartholomew County.

Politics

Sondra began her political involvement at age 18 when she volunteered for and was privileged to meet presidential candidate Sen. Robert Kennedy.  In the late 60’s, she campaigned around Indiana towns for Lee Hamilton for Congress.  She has volunteered on campaigns for various candidates in National and local elections for most of her life.  Sondra recently served as the Secretary of the Bartholomew County Central Committee of the Democratic Party.  This is her first time to run for political office.


Personal

Sondra lives in Columbus with her partner of 10 years. She has loved raising her family in Columbus.  Her daughters went to school at ABC Stewart, Parkside, Richards, Northside Jr. High, Columbus North High School, IUPUC and Indiana University.  Sondra was involved in numerous school activities, including the CNHS Marching Band parent pit crew and the Thespian Society at CNHS.  She is the proud grandparent of four delightful children.  She enjoys running, biking, gardening, Sudoku and just about any home improvement project.