Ilana Shinkle joined the Foster Success team as Program Coordinator – Financial Empowerment in October of 2025. Before joining Foster Success, Ilana served as an administrative assistant with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, supporting programming that empowers youth through music and mentorship.
Ilana began her career as a music educator after earning her Bachelor’s in Music Education from Indiana Wesleyan University. She taught music for seven years in Indianapolis and Shanghai, China, where she encouraged creativity, confidence, and community among her students. Her lifelong passion for personal finance and belief in the power of knowledge to inspire growth led her to transition into Financial Empowerment, where she now combines her organizational expertise with her commitment to helping others thrive.
Outside of work, Ilana enjoys playing percussion, traveling, and discovering new local restaurants.