JD Sheth Foundation Board of Directors
JAIMIE D. SHETH | CEO/PRESIDENT
Jaimie Sheth was born and raised in the Midwest (Chicago, IL/Evansville, IN), lived in Los Angeles and San Francisco for 19 years, and moved back to Evansville, IN in 2020 to focus 100% of her efforts on the JD Sheth Foundation. She graduated from both the University of Southern Indiana and the University of Evansville and has had an almost 20 year career in physical therapy. After working at UCLA Medical Center for five years, she realized that geriatrics was her calling, spending the last 14+ years of her career focusing on this particular population. Her love to see the world has pushed her to travel to over 50 countries and has taken her to some of the most impoverished places on earth. Jaimie realized her passion for helping others at a young age, but it wasn’t until 2007 that she felt she could make a notable difference. The JD Sheth Foundation was formed in 2010 and became an official 501(c)(3), US recognized nonprofit in 2015. Her autobiography, My Life is Not My Own, was written and published in 2016 to educate others on the world we live in, the projects she and others have done, and how you can be a part of giving back in your own way. Contact Jaimie at jaimie@jdsheth.org.
Jeff Duncan | Chairman
Jeff Duncan is originally from Morganfield, KY, but now enjoys life in Henderson, KY. He is a graduate of Morehead State University, where he holds a BBA in Real Estate. He also graduated from Murray State University with his MBA in Finance. Jeff currently works as a Wealth Management Advisor at Field & Main Bank, but prior to that he worked at Fifth Third Private Bank in Evansville and US Bank in Louisville. Jeff currently serves many organizations that have a focus on his passions, with affordable housing being his number one priority. Jeff has been involved in a number of projects that support that initiative, and actively seeks ways to increase the awareness of the need for home ownership. When he’s not working or attending community activities, Jeff loves spending time with his family, exploring different places to eat, playing guitar, and DIY home improvements. Contact Jeff at jeff@jdsheth.org.
SHAWNETTA COMPTON | Secretary
Shawnetta was raised in a small town in Southwestern Indiana. She attended the University of Southern Indiana where she earned a B.S. in Geology. She stayed in the Evansville area after graduation to start her career and family. After 16+ years in the coal industry specializing in coal quality along with inventory and shipment tracking, she has recently started a new career path at Kaiser Aluminum focusing once again on shipments and inventory. Shawnetta’s volunteer experience focuses on working with youth programs. She has been Girl Scout troop leader since 2011 leading a group of girls on everything from earning badges to camping trips to community service projects. Along with leading her troop, Shawnetta enjoys volunteering at Girl Scout camp events. A 10-year 4-H alumna herself, she became a local 4-H club leader in 2018, assisting the club in planning events and facilitating activities during meetings. In 2022, she started a term on the Vanderburgh County 4-H Council. Shawnetta spends her free time camping, hiking, and kayaking as well as many other crazy outdoor adventures such as mud runs. Shawnetta joined the Board in 2021. Contact Shawnetta at shawnetta@jdsheth.org.
Jane Duesterberg | Treasurer
Jane Duesterberg, a native of Vincennes, Indiana, moved to Evansville to major in computer science at the University of Evansville. She then spent her career at Bristol-Myers Squibb before retiring in 2016. Jane spends time playing and supporting local tennis as a past treasurer of the Evansville Community Tennis Association and coordinator of their middle school tennis league. More recently, Jane has volunteered as a treasurer for local political campaigns. She is endlessly proud of her grown son and daughter, both on their own and doing important work in Atlanta and Washington DC. She’s beyond excited for the arrival of her first grandchild in May. Jane joined the Board in February 2024 and can be reached at jane@jdsheth.org.
Karese Johnson | Grant Manager
An Evansville native, Karese graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree from the University of Phoenix in Business Administration. Karese’s professional experience and community involvement as a “servant leader” have confirmed her belief that education is the single most important gateway for young peoples’ successful transition to adulthood. She understands that resources and opportunities must be available to students of every ethnic background, economic status, learning capability, sexual orientation, as well as physical ability. She is the Grant Accounting and Compliance Coordinator at the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana. She has served as an active volunteer with a number of organizations, including: The Commission on Food Security, Association of General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Indiana (Southern District Youth Director), Life Choices Maternity and Youth Home (board member), Junior League of Evansville (sustaining member), Vanderburgh County Court Appointed Special Advocates, and Leadership Everyone (board member). Karese's husband Christopher is a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army, and they share three children together. When she is not tending to her family and community, she tends to her vegetable garden, reads historical fiction, and travels. Karese joined the Board in January 2023 and can be contacted at karese@jdsheth.org.
Katie Ritter | Event Coordinator
Katie Ritter was born and raised in Evansville, IN and graduated from the University of Southern Indiana where she met her husband Will. They have three beautiful children and lived and worked in New Zealand for a year and a half in 2018. While in New Zealand, Katie worked with a local environmental group in an effort to reduce waste, as well Sustainable Coastlines where she organized a Estuary clean-up. When they moved back in 2020, Katie joined her husband in real estate and became an agent for F.C. Tucker Emge. Katie and her family love to travel and cannot wait to check off their bucket list to see every major mountain in America. She has been a Yoga and Pilates instructor for 16 years and has a doula certification to help women through labor and delivery. Katie is passionate about helping people in many different capacities and is serving as the Event Coordinator for JD Sheth Foundation. Contact Katie at katie@jdsheth.org.
Lisa Stinson-Smith | Fundraiser
Lisa Stinson-Smith grew up in Reidland, Kentucky, just outside of Paducah. During her high school years, her family re-located to Newburgh. After graduating from Castle High School, she attended Purdue University and finished her BS in Psychology at the University of Southern Indiana. Much of Lisa’s career has been spent working with others and working toward mutually beneficial solutions. Lisa spent 10 years working for mental health centers, mostly with addiction and recovery. She then spent 15 years in the mortgage industry, most of the time as an account executive for a mortgage lender. With the implosion of the housing industry in 2008, Lisa shifted to tracking mineral ownership and negotiating oil and gas leases. She enjoyed meeting a diverse range of people and negotiating for a win-win situation. In 2020 Lisa started her own business, BOSS Roofing & Construction, LLC. Lisa is service-oriented, understanding the importance of helping others and her community. She brought the Indiana Youth Group to Evansville in the early 1990s, when it was novel to support LBGT youth and served as co-facilitator, worked on two Habitat builds, was active on the Speakers Bureau for Tri-State Alliance, and served on the finance committee of the church she attended. Lisa’s wife has worked at EasterSeals for 30 years and they have 21-year-old twins, Olivia and Brady. She enjoys spending time with her family and three dogs. When she is not with them, she is either reading or inspecting a roof. Lisa joined the JD Sheth Board in January 2023. Contact Lisa at lisa@jdsheth.org.
David Parker | Board Member
David is an Army veteran who served our country for 5 years, including during the Gulf War. He is passionate about supporting the veteran’s population and making a difference in their lives. David is the owner of Prime Time Pub & Grill and has a strong passion around taking care of our people and our community. Previously with Applebee’s, he had positive comp sales in five consecutive years, was in the top five score card each year, belonged to the Area Director Leadership Council, and worked with the Applebee's Leadership Institute. David is very community driven having raised thousands of dollars for Easterseals, Junior Achievement, American Cancer Society, and local community youth programs. He has 2 children, Sam (21) and Brandon (25), and is a huge sports fan (Illini, Cardinals, & Dolphins). In his free time, David enjoys playing golf, spending time with family and friends, and chilling with his fiancé, Melissa, and his two pups. Contact David at david@jdsheth.org.
Rachel Nickens | Board Member
Rachel Nickens is from Mooresville, IN, home of the Indiana state flag! She is a graduate of USI with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Health Services. Rachel started working at Core Chiropractic a little over two years ago as their business administrator. Rachel is a Tri Sigma alumna, where she served as the Chairman of Honor Council to uphold the standards of membership and ensure positive member development through accountability. She has always had a passion to give back and is looking forward to serving the Evansville community and our world. In October 2021, Rachel got married and loves spending summer weekends at her family's river camp, decorating and organizing (especially decorating Christmas trees), getting all the snuggles from her cat, Addy, and attending City Church in Evansville, IN. Rachel joined the JD Sheth Board in June 2022. Contact Rachel at rachel@jdsheth.org.