Indiana Youth Institute announces 2025 D. Susan Wisely Youth Worker of the Year

Bryan Hammontree, Elkhart Academy Alternative Programs Principal, recognized at annual IYI KIDS COUNT Conference

Indianapolis, IN (November 4, 2025) – Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) is proud to announce

Bryan Hammontree, Alternative Programs Principal at Elkhart Academy, as the recipient of IYI’s 2025 D. Susan Wisely Youth Worker of the Year award. Founded in 2014, this award honors D. Susan Wisely’s legacy by recognizing the outstanding contributions of youth workers across Indiana.

Under Hammontree’s leadership, Elkhart Academy has been transformed into an innovative alternative school built on strong relationships, restorative practices, and student-centered design. Bryan has created programs that provide multiple pathways to success, including a middle school, high school, and suspension program, ensuring that students with diverse needs have access to the right learning environments for them.

Having once been a student seeking support himself in an alternative program, Bryan brings a depth of empathy and understanding to his leadership. His personal experience fuels his commitment to amplifying student voices and meeting their needs with compassion and purpose. Today, he sets the vision for that very same program as principal of Elkhart Academy, recognizing that it takes an entire community of caring adults working together to ensure every student can succeed and thrive.

“Bryan’s work is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when young people are surrounded by caring adults who believe in them,” said Tami Silverman, Indiana Youth Institute President and CEO. “He leads with both heart and strategy, creating programs that not only help students succeed in school, but also prepare them to build meaningful futures.”

Bryan’s leadership extends beyond academics. He has developed flexible systems, such as six-week class cycles and a student volunteer program, that not only help students earn credits efficiently but also build confidence, purpose, and civic responsibility. Through strong partnerships with community organizations, he connects students with skill-building opportunities that lead to long-term employment and future success. His trauma-informed, restorative approach prioritizes restitution over punishment, helping students feel seen, valued, and empowered to grow.

“Elkhart Academy’s impact reflects Bryan’s deep commitment to innovation and fairness,” Silverman added. “He is not just changing the trajectory of individual students’ lives—he’s shaping how communities can better support youth who need different pathways to thrive.”

Elkhart Academy consistently exceeds the national graduation rate for alternative schools and serves more than 200 students each year. Under Bryan’s guidance, students are not only achieving academic success but also learning to navigate life with confidence and resilience. His colleagues across the district and state look to him as a trusted mentor and thought leader in alternative education. Bryan’s dedication, compassionate leadership, and innovative vision are making a lasting difference in the lives of young people and the broader community.

“It’s a privilege to be able to have that type of impact in the lives of others. I feel like that’s what we’re built to do,” said Hammontree. “I hope that my legacy is that I was a part of something greater than myself, and that the impact that this program can leave on the community of Elkhart and the people that it serves lasts long after me.”

This award pays tribute to D. Susan Wisely, whose visionary leadership at Lilly Endowment, Inc. inspired the creation of many youth service programs, including the distinguished Lilly Fellows. Learn more about her enduring legacy here.

IYI is also honored to recognize finalist Amy Pilcher, School Social Worker at Zionsville West Middle School, who goes above and beyond to support Indiana’s kids. She represents dedication, compassion, and strength that defines youth-serving work.

Hammontree and Pilcher will be celebrated at IYI’s annual KIDS COUNT® Conference on November 4, 2025, at the Marriott hotel in downtown Indianapolis at 8:30 a.m. ET.

There is more exciting news! Also at this year’s conference, IYI is thrilled to announce the launch of a bold new statewide vision: FIVE by 50—the vision that by 2050, every child in Indiana will be connected to at least five supportive and caring adults. These connections will include family members, mentors, teachers, coaches, counselors, and youth-serving professionals who help young people thrive.

FIVE by 50 is a generational commitment to ensure every Hoosier child has a strong web of relationships. IYI is calling on schools, community partners, and youth workers to join the movement and proudly say, “Indiana kids are STRONGER WITH FIVE.” Learn more about this transformational 25-year campaign at iyi.org/FIVEby50.

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About Indiana Youth Institute (IYI):

For more than three decades, Indiana Youth Institute has supported the youth services field through innovative trainings, critical data, and capacity-building resources, with every effort aimed at increasing the well-being of all children. To learn more about IYI, visit iyi.org.

For further information or media inquiries, please contact:

Margaret Curtland (she/her/hers)

Senior Communications Manager

Indiana Youth Institute

mcurtland@iyi.org | 317-396-2733