Meet Our Team!
Executive Team
Danielle Svantner
Executive Director
My name is Danelle Svantner, I am the Executive Director of Westminster Preschools. I taught 0-5 in several different settings for about 10 years before I started as the North site director in May of 2015. Since then, it has been my pleasure to watch the programs grow and be able to support even more children and families in Grant Co. I am married to Matt, and together we have two boys, with a third on the way!
I love watching children learn, families thrive and teaching children the love of Jesus. I believe in play based learning, social-emotional focus and letting children be children. It’s my honor to get to be a part of such a special time in their lives. I obtained my Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Indiana Wesleyan University, and my Masters at Ball State! I love to learn, challenge myself, read and soak up all the knowledge of early childhood I can. Our family enjoys camping, kayaking and anything outside. My goal is to be the best version of myself, grow and develop and lead a team that is ready for anything!
Wendy Turcott
Development Director
My name is Wendy Turcott. I am the site Director for Westminster Preschool South. I have been with Westminster Preschools for almost 2 and a half years now. I have my Bachelor of Science in Education, with a focus in Early Childhood Education from Oklahoma Baptist University. I have lived in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas throughout my life. I am happily married to Jesse Turcott for almost 2 years now. We love traveling to new areas and being outside as much as we can. I love working at Westminster because I get to provide a safe space for children, families, and staff to learn and grow. My prayer is that everyone that comes into our program leaves at the end of the day feeling loved and safe.
Rachel Guyer
Program Coach
My name is Rachel Guyer and I have been the Assistant Director at Westminster Preschool South since May 2021. I have an associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Manchester University and a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood specializing in birth to age five from the University of Cincinnati. I have 27 years of experience in Early Childhood Education in both teaching and administrative work. I am a wife and a mother of three children. My husband and I are active in the farming community and have been 4-H leaders for over 20 years. I am a firm believer that play is a child’s work and that children learn so many skills through the social interactions and problem solving that takes place during play. As a lifelong learner, I am always exploring new and innovative ideas to help children be the very best version of themselves.
Tanja Bullins
Program Coach
I have been with Westminster Preschools since March of 2020! I started as the Assistant Director of our North location then moved up to Director when our South location opened in the latter part of 2020. I am currently the interim Director of our Friends location. I have my bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, and I'm a certified coach. Collectively I have 14 years experience in the early childhood education field, 10 in the classroom and 4 in administration.
I absolutely love being a part of the team here at Westminster. My favorite part is coming in daily and getting all the amazing warm hugs that the littles give out. I love walking into a classroom and seeing the teachers and students thriving in an environment of growth and well-being. We here at Westminster always say that play is our work, and I wholeheartedly believe that. I cannot wait to come back to the community of Wabash and bring our culture with me.
Brooke Wilcox
Curriculum Coach
My role is all about supporting our team with anything and everything related to curriculum. I’ve been passionate about child development and education for as long as I can remember—starting way back when I was 11 and first began working with kiddos. That passion has only grown stronger over the years.
My journey with the Well-Being curriculum began in 2017 through Larks Song, and in 2022, I officially joined Westminster. I’ve had the joy of working with children of all ages here, including a meaningful season as the full-time Pre-K teacher at our Friends location. Now, I’m honored to serve in this new role, helping shape and support the learning experiences across our community.
Currently, I’m pursuing my associate degree in Early Childhood Education, deepening my understanding and commitment to this beautiful work. I truly love this field and the opportunity to serve both our teachers and children every day.
On a personal note, I recently married my amazing husband, Derek, in February 2025! We’re active in our church, love hiking, and enjoy spending time playing board and card games. We’re also proud dog parents to Apollo and Mia, and we help care for my awesome nephew, Jasper.
I’m incredibly thankful to be part of the Westminster family, and my greatest hope is to continue being the hands and feet of Jesus in this community—for our teachers, our children, and beyond.
Program Onsite Leadership
Tanja Bullins
Mentor Site Director - Wabash
I have been with Westminster Preschools since March of 2020! I started as the Assistant Director of our North location then moved up to Director when our South location opened in the latter part of 2020. I am currently the interim Director of our Friends location. I have my bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, and I'm a certified coach. Collectively I have 14 years experience in the early childhood education field, 10 in the classroom and 4 in administration.
I absolutely love being a part of the team here at Westminster. My favorite part is coming in daily and getting all the amazing warm hugs that the littles give out. I love walking into a classroom and seeing the teachers and students thriving in an environment of growth and well-being. We here at Westminster always say that play is our work, and I wholeheartedly believe that. I cannot wait to come back to the community of Wabash and bring our culture with me.
Anna Kellogg
Site Director -
Marion South
My name is Anna Kellogg and I am the Assistant Director at Westminster Preschool South. I have my CDA through Ivy Tech and have been working at Westminster for 3 years now. Before becoming the Assistant Director, I was the lead teacher in the infant room. Infants hold a special place in my heart, I love watching them get to explore the world for the first time. I love watching children learn new skills and seeing the joy and pride that they have when they are able to conquer new challenges. My husband and I will soon be celebrating 16 years of marriage and we have 3 amazing sons. I enjoy reading, crocheting, and baking. I love working at Westminster because I love that we focus on growing the whole child. We do not just focus on math, or science, or language arts, we also focus on helping the children learn social and emotional skills. We help them develop skills to understand and work through their big emotions and we teach the children through play.
Candace Foy
Assistant Director -
Marion South
I am Candace Foy. I have been with Westminster since January of 2022. I am currently enrolled in classes towards my degree in Early Childhood Education. Since working for Westminster I have had the pleasure of working multiple roles like kitchen assistant, teacher assistant, lead teacher and mentor teacher.
I have been married to my husband Tanner since 2018. We have 2 amazing boys. In between my kids football and baseball’s games, my family and I enjoy being outside camping and swimming. I enjoy attending every training offered to me so I can learn everything there is to know about Early Childhood Education. I want to provide a safe and loving environment for our students and give them lots of room to explore and try new things.
I love working at Westminster because we get to provide resources to help our families and staff become the best version of themselves. I strive to inspire growth in everyone I cross paths with because play is my work, I can do hard things and all my emotions are welcome.
Brooke Harris
Classroom Coordinator South - Marion
A little bit about me, I am married and I have one daughter and two dogs. Some of my favorite things to do are, going on walks with my family, and relaxing watching movies.
I have been with Westminster since 2017.
When I was in high school I was able to work part time and then go to school in the afternoons. I spent my mornings working at a preschool and getting two student teach, and that is rarely when I fell in love with working with kids and figuring out this is what I wanted to do as I got older, which led me to get my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education.
My why for what I do is, I love being able to be a part of children’s everyday life and watching them grow and seeing them learn new things it brings me so much joy watching the excitement on kids’s face. I love being in a field, where I am making a difference in children’s life every day and it’s such a joy to spend my day meeting and loving new children.
Lee An Ford
Site Director -
Marion Friends
My name is Lee An Ford. I am the new Friends Director of Westminster Preschools. I just moved back to the area in January and am so excited to be a part of the Westminster team! I am originally from Wabash County, and I received by bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Ball State University. I have two sons. One is grown, and lives in Denver, Colorado. My other son is a senior in high school. I love going to concerts, hiking, reading and spending time with my friends and family.
I have been in the early childhood field for almost 30 years, and really enjoy the interactions with all the children, families and staff. I have classroom experience with children ages 6 weeks to 18 years of age, and have experience as a preschool director, and assistant director. I’m looking forward to getting to know all the families and staff at Westminster and working with the other staff to give families a wonderful experience here!
Hailey Mehlmann
Operations Leader -
Fort Wayne
I’m originally from Kent, Ohio, and I’m a mom to two busy toddler boys—ages 4 and 2.
Before stepping into my current role, I was running my own at-home daycare, which really deepened my love for early childhood education. Prior to that, I managed offices for Indiana Farm Bureau, and before that, I led a team of technicians at an IT company in Florida. I’ve always been drawn to leadership, and organization.
I have a Bachelor's degree in Project Management with a concentration in Business Administration, and I’m currently working on my Master’s in Psychology, along with earning my CDA.
I’ve been working in early childhood education for nearly three years and have taken on a variety of roles—including floater, assistant teacher, lead teacher, and mentor teacher during my time at Westminster. Now, in my leadership role, I get to support both the children and the educators I work with every day. I love being the organization and leader to amazing staff and parents—it’s a role I’m passionate about and proud to fill.
Outside of work, I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending time outside with my kids. My faith plays a big role in my life, and I’m thankful to God for the opportunities I've been given and the purpose I find in serving others through my work.
Heidy Mendez
Classroom Coordinator-
Fort Wayne
My name is Heidy Mendez, I am the Classroom Coordinator at Early Years Academy in Fort Wayne. I taught elementary for 12 years and Preschool for three years. In 2021 I became a certified Montessori Guide and founded “Bilingual Montessorian School CRECER”. I have been with Westminster Preschools since the opening of EYA in 2024.
I moved to U.S. in January of 2024 from Honduras. I am currently working to become a Holistic Therapist to work with children and their families. Working with children has been my life passion.
Michelle Webster
Assistant Director - Portland
My name is Michelle Webster and I am Assistant Director for Portland Westminster Preschool. I have my Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Certificate in Early Childhood Administration from IvyTech Community College.
I have 30 years of experience working with children from birth through age five
My passion for children began when I was very young. I am an only child and I was drawn to being around other children. Throughout the years I have met so many children and families that have touched my heart with many memories over the years. I look forward to meeting and making more memories with the Westminster children and families.
Outside of work, I have been married to my husband Mark for 36 years. We have one son Holden and we have two grandogs named Hankers and Petey. In our free time we like to go to car shows, concerts, have bonfires and help with different benefits within our community.
