“I believe I have the opportunity to have a true impact on the health of our community with the great work we do here.”
- Amanda Fall, Executive Director [email]
Amanda came to Tobacco Free Allen County in August 2011. She has worked in social services in Allen County since graduating from Saint Francis University in 1997, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Her work experience includes eight years as a case manager at the AIDS Task Force before earning her Masters in Business from Indiana Tech. She then advanced to the director position of the Transitions Program with the Women’s Bureau. She has always had an interest in public health, which is what led her to her work at Tobacco Free. She lists working with policy and organizations are her favorite parts of the job thus far. Amanda is married and has a son and a daughter.
“In Ireland, I was awakened to new perspectives on health services, preventive medicine, and health behaviors. I witnessed first-hand the detrimental consequences that poor health habits delivered. It was here that I made a personal obligation to make it my duty to strive to protect the health and well being of people in every community, not only locally, but globally, by providing education and promoting healthy lifestyles.”
- Janelle Carnahan, Tobacco Education Specialist [email]
Janelle Carnahan is the newest addition to Tobacco Free Allen County, having joined the organization in November 2011. Janelle received a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, with a minor in Nutrition from Indiana State University in 2011 and is certified as a Health Education Specialist (CHES). Before joining the Tobacco Free team, Janelle has had public health experience working as a health educator with Union Hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana and as a health promotions coordinator overseas in Dublin, Ireland before relocating back to Dekalb County. Janelle’s interest in changing health behaviors heightened after a family loss associated with tobacco use and her experience living in Europe. “In Ireland, I was awakened to new perspectives on health services, preventive medicine, and health behaviors. I witnessed first-hand the detrimental consequences that poor health habits delivered. It was here that I made a personal obligation to make it my duty to strive to protect the health and well being of people in every community, not only locally, but globally, by providing education and promoting healthy lifestyles.” Janelle is currently working on promoting the Indiana Tobacco Quitline to medical professionals in Allen County and implementing media advocacy within Tobacco Free.
“With my past experience at Tobacco Free and the timing of the offer, it was a perfect fit. I enjoy educating our community about our goals and how we can help them live healthier lives.”
- Jill Leal, Administrative Assistant [email]
Jill Leal began her position with Tobacco Free Allen County in July 2011. She had previously been involved with TFAC as a volunteer coalition member. After graduating from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, she started her career as the Director of Marketing at the McMillen Center for Health Education. Wanting to have a more direct impact within the community, she joined the Blue Jacket, Inc. team as the Mentoring Coordinator. She then decided to take some time off to stay home with her two small children. When the former Executive Director retired, she was asked to step in as the interim Administrative Assistant until Amanda Fall was able to start her new position. Jill is married and has a son, a daughter, and a little one on the way.