Ana Gruber
Indianapolis
Summary
Event and program management professional with experience planning and executing community initiatives while building strong relationships with businesses, community organizations, and stakeholders. Skilled in event coordination, sponsorship development, community engagement, social media marketing, and cross-functional collaboration. Known for creating engaging programs, fostering strategic partnerships, and delivering high-quality experiences that strengthen community connections and organizational success.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Manager
Bargersville Parks & Recreation
Bargersville, IN
02.2026 - Current
- Led the planning, development, and execution of diverse recreational programs and signature community events. Collaborated across departments and with local businesses to create engaging community experiences. Developed and secured sponsorship opportunities by cultivating partnerships with organizations. Managed the department’s social media presence by creating and scheduling engaging content, promoting programs and events, and communicating with residents to increase participation and public awareness. Oversaw budgets, contracts, marketing coordination, staff, and program evaluation to ensure high-quality programming met the community's needs.
Events Coordinator
Whitetown Parks & Recreation
Whitetown, IN
01.2023 - 02.2026
- Individually and as a team, creates, plans, and executes 43 special events annually. Generates and maintains event budgets and timelines. Assists in finding and supporting the continued partnerships with programming instructors. Obtains various levels and amounts of event funding. Works with external sponsors and vendors to establish and continue a working relationship to better both their businesses and Whitetown Parks and Recreation. Develops and implements all social media marketing posts across six accounts.
Assistant Park Manager
Indy Parks
Indianapolis, IN
04.2022 - 12.2022
- Hired and onboarded day camp, pool, and building staff at Garfield Park. Ran day camp and the pool singlehandedly. Organized, managed, and trained staff at the front desk. Coordinated and scheduled with an anti-violence program that was in the building after hours. Accommodated and learned respective paperwork needs for Special Events and Fee Reductions. Helped the RBI summer baseball program through many issues including a destroyed field. Assisted partners of the park with scheduling, problems that arose, and combating their wants with concrete possibilities due to low staff. Working with the Friends of Garfield Park and the Garfield Park Neighborhood Association Group to meet their needs.
Recreation Coordinator
Indy Parks
Indianapolis, IN
06.2021 - 04.2022
- Created and advertised holiday programs that the public could enjoy at Krannert Park. Organized files, notes, and maintenance issues. Visited and evaluated neighboring parks for monthly inspections. Created, fundraised, and marketed for the largest event Krannert Park has ever hosted. Planned Summer Day Camp by generating spreadsheets, purchasing items, and preparing events and visitors for each week. Conducted interviews for and helped with the hiring of Summer Day Camp staff.
Checkout Advocate
Target
Carmel, IN
08.2020 - 05.2021
- Helped guests check out their items in a helpful and swift manner. Aided guests at the service desk with any and all issues. Assisted guests by collecting and providing prepaid orders to them. Answered questions either in person or over the phone. Cleaned carts and checkout lanes to ensure the safety of all guests and team members during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gallery Host
Hyatt Place Indianapolis-Carmel
Carmel, Indiana
11.2019 - 07.2020
- Maintained positive guest relations at all times by listening to, attending to, and resolving guest’s needs. Assisted guests by answering the phone promptly, correctly handling all check-ins-outs, and processing adjustments to accounts when needed. Helped open the hotel for three months prior to the opening day which included unwrapping, staging, and cleaning rooms.
Recreation Intern
Sunriver Resort
Sunriver, OR
05.2019 - 09.2019
- Enriched guest experiences by providing outstanding customer service. Assisted with the execution of youth, teen, family, and convention and associate recreation groups. Created new ideas for and facilitated two Fourth of July events, which were a 5k and a bike parade. Funds management responsibilities including P.O.S. Interacted with guests in a friendly and professional manner.
Food/Bar Services
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
Urbana, IL
02.2018 - 05.2019
- Assisted chefs as needed in the preparation of food items for meal service. Ensured that storage, serving, and dining, areas were prepared, stocked, and cleaned in a manner that consistently meets food service quality standards. Took food orders and served them food in a timely manner. Served drinks to reputable adults that came to performances. Worked with POS system and helped full time staff onboard new POS system.
Co-Director, Summer Camp
Skokie Park District
Skokie, IL
06.2018 - 08.2018
- Mentored, supervised, and evaluated all six of the summer camp staff. Oversaw 60 campers daily. Processed payroll, planned and oversaw programs, and occasionally took over for Program Leaders if they were absent. Assisted both the other Co-Director and the Exploratorium/Special Events Supervisor with staff scheduling, interaction with parents, and external communications.
Event Staff
State Farm Arena
Champaign, IL
10.2017 - 02.2018
- Responsible for a wide variety of roles designed to enhance the guest experience. Greeted guests. Scanned tickets. Directed guests to seating areas and facility amenities, serving as ushers inside of the arena.
Program Leader, Summer Camp
Skokie Park District
Skokie, IL
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Lead groups of up to 15 campers between the ages of 6 and 15. Kept campers active and engaged in fun and challenging activities while maintaining a safe environment. Followed and executed activities according to pre-designed plans. Adhered to Standard Operating Procedures for camps and addressed any inappropriate behaviors from campers.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Recreation, Sport, and Tourism
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL01-2019
Skills
- Problem-solving
- Detail-oriented
- Interpersonal skills
- Event planning and execution
- Project coordination
- Customer service
- Donor stewardship
Certification
Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, 2025
Certificate in Fundraising Management
- Completed specialized coursework in research-based fundraising strategies through the world's first school dedicated to philanthropy. Developed expertise in annual giving sustainability, donor cultivation, major gift strategies, and strategic campaign execution. Gained practical, data-driven approaches to increasing donor engagement, strengthening retention, and supporting long-term organizational growth.
Timeline
Program Manager
Bargersville Parks & Recreation
02.2026 - Current
Events Coordinator
Whitetown Parks & Recreation
01.2023 - 02.2026
Assistant Park Manager
Indy Parks
04.2022 - 12.2022
Recreation Coordinator
Indy Parks
06.2021 - 04.2022
Checkout Advocate
Target
08.2020 - 05.2021
Gallery Host
Hyatt Place Indianapolis-Carmel
11.2019 - 07.2020
Recreation Intern
Sunriver Resort
05.2019 - 09.2019
Co-Director, Summer Camp
Skokie Park District
06.2018 - 08.2018
Food/Bar Services
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
02.2018 - 05.2019
Event Staff
State Farm Arena
10.2017 - 02.2018
Program Leader, Summer Camp
Skokie Park District
01.2015 - 01.2017
Bachelor of Science - Recreation, Sport, and Tourism
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Leadership
Indiana Park and Recreation Association Board of Directors, 2025-2026
Recreation and Programming Representative
- Served on the board of directors and led a subcommittee of programming professionals for two years. Coordinated professional development initiatives, facilitated virtual meetings annually, and managed the planning and execution of two virtual and in-person events each year. Founded and launched the Summer Programming Summit, creating an opportunity for recreation professionals to collaborate, share best practices, and enhance programming efforts across the industry.