Stephanie Carlson joined the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne in April 2025 as Senior Impact Advisor. In this role, she connects resources to nonprofits through grantmaking and education and works closely with high school students through the Foundation’s Youth Empowered Philanthropy program. 

A classically trained vocalist and seasoned arts educator, Stephanie began her career in vocal jazz before expanding into musical theatre and opera, performing lead roles across the U.S. and Europe. She earned top honors in numerous regional competitions and was a winner of the prestigious Hans Gabor Belvedere competition in New York, representing the United States in Vienna. She spent 15 years as a teaching artist with Arizona’s Opening Minds through the Arts (OMA) program before returning to Fort Wayne in 2015. 

Since then, she has continued performing as a soloist with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, collaborated with local artists, and served on the worship team at Pathway Community Church. Stephanie has held leadership roles at Heartland Sings, Fort Wayne Dance Collective, Fort Wayne Community Schools, and the Embassy Theatre—developing arts integration programs, managing fundraising efforts, and strengthening community partnerships. She has also volunteered with the Indiana Arts Commission and the Rotary Club of Fort Wayne. 

Stephanie lives in Fort Wayne with one of her favorite guys—her son—and their fetch-loving cat, Oliver Henry Jones. This fall, she’ll marry her other favorite guy, and together they’ll become a three-person household full of love, laughter, and shenanigans. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, no matter the activity, as long as there’s laughter involved.