Our Story Our Team Our Partners Our Approach
Guided by the Grain participants measuring a board
Wood burning at an IPL workshop, fall 2026
Foundations participants building their shed roof
Our Story

Built from the
community up.

Founded in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Deeply Ingrained began when Dave Haughs — an engineer and lifelong woodworker — wanted to do something meaningful for families in his community. Each week for eight weeks, he designed, built, and distributed a new free woodworking project, asking only for photos in return.

The projects spread quickly — beyond township borders, across city limits, and even across the Atlantic. What started as an act of community care grew into something larger: a recognition that the need for creative, hands-on opportunity doesn't end when a pandemic does.

Today, Deeply Ingrained is a comprehensive youth development initiative grounded in the Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework. Through woodworking and mentorship, we help young people build relationships, grow in character, and find purpose.

Each year our programs reach more than 1,500 youth, at no direct cost to participants, so every family has access regardless of financial circumstance. Young people have built and taken home more than 45,000 projects, and since 2023 Guided by the Grain has employed 16 teens and young adults and paid them $104,759 in wages.

Our Team

Meet Our Staff

The people who show up every day to run workshops, build projects, and mentor youth across Indianapolis.

DH Dave Haughs
Dave Haughs
Executive Director
Favorite wood
Cherry
First thing I remember building
A bike ramp
KA Kaitlyn Akin
Kaitlyn Akin
Director of Programming
Best workshop moment
Trolling my boss with thousands of tiny ducks
Happiest with my hands in
Clay
MB Megan Bruhn
Megan Bruhn
Operations Manager
Known around the shop for
Workshop high fives
Go-to game night pick
Coming soon
HD Holly Dexter
Holly Dexter
Office Manager
Shop moment I wish I'd caught
Coming soon
Favorite hobby
Photography
RK Raushan Key
Raushan Key
Alumni Mentor
Favorite tool
Palm sander
Favorite skill so far
Joinery
Leadership

Meet the Board

Our board brings together community leaders, educators, and professionals who share a commitment to youth development and hands-on learning.

Meagon Badger
President
Riley Children's Hospital

A founding board member, Meagon has helped guide Deeply Ingrained since 2020, serving as Secretary and Vice President before returning to lead the board as President. She works in health care and brings a team-first drive to helping others succeed.

Chip Wood
Vice President
PNC

Born, raised, and still residing in central Indiana, Chip joined Deeply Ingrained after being introduced to Dave by a PNC colleague. With more than 35 years at PNC Bank, he serves as Director of Client & Community Relations for central and southern Indiana. He holds a B.S. in Management from Purdue and serves on the board of New Hope of Indiana.

Open Position
Treasurer

Deeply Ingrained is seeking a financial professional to serve as Treasurer on our board of directors. The ideal candidate will have experience in nonprofit finance, accounting, or related fields, and a passion for youth development and community impact. Interested? Get in touch →

Jennifer Swank
Secretary
Fast Pace Health

A lifelong Indianapolis native, Jennifer has volunteered and supported Deeply Ingrained from the beginning—from the weekly and monthly project giveaways to workshop prep. She has watched Deeply Ingrained grow from the start and is excited to see where it goes next.

Trey Wright
Member at Large
VOICES Corp

Trey brings a background in electronics engineering, real estate, and nonprofit leadership. He serves as COO of VOICES Corp and has spent 11 years working with youth and families in the Indianapolis area alongside his wife, Kia.

Bethany Thomas
Member at Large
Indiana State Museum

With 30 years of museum education experience including makerspace education, Bethany serves as VP of Education and Engagement at the Indiana State Museum. She came to Deeply Ingrained through a shared passion for hands-on learning.

Pam Lozano
Member at Large
Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis

Pam is Director of Development at Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis. As a club site director in 2022, she brought Woodshop on Wheels to BGCI. In 2025 she connected Deeply Ingrained with more club sites for summer programming and joined the board.

Marquisha Williams
Member at Large
Milestone Contractors

Marquisha works at Milestone Contractors and joined the board in 2025. She volunteers with and helps plan Girls Construction Camp, and brings a builder's eye to new project ideas for our camps.

Community

Building with Our Community

Deeply Ingrained works alongside schools, youth-serving organizations, community groups, and businesses to create meaningful hands-on opportunities for young people throughout Indianapolis.

40+
partner organizations
25
Indianapolis Public Library branches visited this year
11
Indy Parks locations, new partners in 2026

Program partners

    Schools and Youth Organizations
    We bring hands-on woodworking experiences to young people through workshops, enrichment opportunities, and longer-term programming.
    Community Organizations
    We collaborate with organizations that share our commitment to creating supportive, accessible spaces where young people can learn and grow.
    Businesses and Volunteer Teams
    Local businesses support our mission through sponsorships, volunteer service, donated expertise, and other community partnerships.
    Explore a Partnership →
    Our Approach

    Woodworking is the tool.
    Youth development is the goal.

    Our programs are grounded in Positive Youth Development and intentionally help young people build confidence, competence, connection, character, and caring through hands-on work, supportive relationships, and meaningful responsibility.

    Explore Our Approach →