Indian Creek Foundation

“Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.” ~Pauline R. Kezer In April, we announced that Dean Stoesz would be retiring as CEO of Indian Creek Foundation. In September, we introduced Dr. Tim Barksdale as the 4th CEO since our incorporation 50 years ago. Dean has officially stepped down from his position, and we are grateful for the time he poured into this transition. The continuity of faithful leadership at Indian Creek Foundation has established strong roots for our organization. Change, while challenging, has always brought us growth and new opportunities to serve our community. Thank you, Dean, for supporting and trusting your staff to Serve Every One. We will miss you! 

We enjoyed a perfect first day of fall with lots of friends at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays for the Indian Valley Chamber 2025 Clay Shoot. Not only were we the beneficiary of this exciting fundraiser, but our Indian Creek Foundation team also took 2nd place! Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce Thank you to everyone who sponsored and participated. Indian Creek Foundation is grateful to have the support of so many friends in the Indian Valley!

Indian Creek Foundation has appointed Dr. Tim Barksdale as incoming Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Barksdale began orientation on September 8th and will partner with the Leadership Team and Board of Directors to fully transition into this new role. Dean Stoesz, current CEO, announced his plans for retirement in April and will officially step down on November 1st. Dr. Barksdale comes to Indian Creek Foundation from Merakey, Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, where he served as the Senior Executive Director of Clinical Services since 2017. Dr. Barksdale is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Licensed Masters Social Worker, and also holds the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD) Clinical Certification. His more than 30 years of experience in leadership and advocacy in the I/DD field will advance the mission and support the growth of the organization. “The Board of Directors is excited to welcome Tim,” said Brad Bishop, Chairman of Indian Creek Foundation’s Board of Directors. “We are looking beyond our 50th anniversary milestone, toward continued growth and impact in the community. We feel fortunate to have identified such an accomplished leader to drive this momentum. Our selection process was directly influenced by staff members, so we’re confident that he will be a great fit.” The Board invited several staff members to participate in focus groups and other aspects of the hiring process to ensure that the incoming CEO would effectively represent the mission and culture of the organization. Dr. Barksdale has expressed his intention to continue expanding Indian Creek’s impact while staying true to its caring spirit. “I am honored and excited to join an organization that has been guided by skilled leadership and strengthened by the vision and dedication of my predecessor, Dean Stoesz,” remarked Dr. Barksdale. “Building on that strong foundation, I am committed to fostering a trauma-informed, compassionate culture where staff and individuals feel valued and supported.” Dr. Barksdale will serve as Indian Creek’s fourth CEO in over 50 years of service. The benefits of long-tenured leaders who stand behind the mission and values of serving children and adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and/or Autism have often been noted throughout this anniversary year. Stoesz is retiring after serving 10 years as CEO. “My role here has been the most rewarding of my career,” noted Stoesz. “I have always been impressed by the mission and the people we serve. I highly respect and truly enjoy working with this staff, Leadership Team, and Board. I am pleased to do my part in making this a smooth transition, and I am excited to see what happens next for Indian Creek under this new leadership.” Throughout the transition period, Dr. Barksdale will be introduced to Indian Creek Foundation staff, individuals, families, and supporters, as well as to local businesses and organizations. 

After more than ten years of exceptional leadership and dedicated service, we announce the upcoming retirement of our esteemed CEO, Dean Stoesz. Although no official date has been set, it is anticipated that he will retire before the end of 2025. Under Dean’s guidance, Indian Creek Foundation has made significant strides in advancing our mission. His vision and unwavering dedication have left a lasting impact on our organization and the communities we serve. While he will be greatly missed, we celebrate this new chapter in his life and express our deepest gratitude for his commitment, leadership, and passion. As we transition into this next phase, the Board of Directors will begin the process of identifying a new CEO. We are committed to selecting a leader who will build upon our strong foundation and continue driving our mission forward. To facilitate our search, we have engaged North Group Consultants, a Lititz, PA-based firm with extensive experience in executive searches. Their focus is on identifying candidates who align with the vision, mission, and values of Indian Creek Foundation.   The board is grateful to Dean for his willingness to continue leading the organization during the search and for his advanced communication about his plans that allows time for an intentional and proactive approach to identifying his successor. In the coming months, we will celebrate Dean’s incredible contributions and provide opportunities for our community to express appreciation. Bradley Bishop Chair, Board of Directors Indian Creek Foundation

Ready for our big reveal? We’re celebrating 50 years of impact with a fresh look! For over 50 years, Indian Creek Foundation has been dedicated to empowering the children and adults we serve in order to maximize their personal potential and enrich their communities. We have found over these past 5 decades that when we focus on each ONE, we serve MANY. And that’s what we’re going to keep on doing. Our new logo reflects our commitment to Serving Every ONE with compassionate and professional care. Our special 50th Anniversary Logo is a special acknowledgement of how long we have been setting the standard for care in our community. Check out the new logo in our video below and let us know what you think!!

Indian Creek Foundation wishes all our friends a happy and healthy holiday season! https://icont.ac/50Vu5