Staff

Hired in October 2023 as the senior marketing manager for the Don Wood Foundation, she oversees strategic messaging and communications for the DWF, marketing, communications, and public relations for the organization. Lizette focuses largely on promoting the progress and accomplishments of Don Wood Foundation grantees from Allen and the surrounding 11 counties.

Her most recent role as the chief communications officer for Northwest Allen County Schools gave her insight into the K-12 education environment. Lizette managed day-to-day internal and external communications, media relations, the district’s website, and social media. Before NACS, Lizette worked for more than 10 years for Lutheran Health Network. She also worked in public service as a public information officer in the Mayor’s Office for the City of Fort Wayne.

Lizette earned her M.A. degree in speech communication from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She completed her B.A. degree in public and interpersonal communication from Purdue University Fort Wayne, after two years studying public relations and journalism at Butler University in Indianapolis, Ind. Active in supporting the arts community, Downey has served on the board of directors for Artlink, chairing the marketing committee.