Our Story

During the early days of the 2020 COVID-19 restrictions, Dave Haughs, a woodworker and engineer, wanted to do something for the families in our community. Each week, for eight weeks, he designed, manufactured and released a new project. For each of these projects, he posted reveal videos and “how-to” instructions for assembly. The only thing he asked for in return was photos exhibiting the creative talents in our community.

It did not take long for the projects to reach beyond township borders, across city limits and even the Atlantic Ocean. While the focus is and always has been on the Indianapolis community, Dave has sent projects across the U.S. and all the way to the UK. Today people from all over central Indiana travel to our distribution locations when a new project is released.

Through these initial eight weeks, Dave developed relationships with the recipients and learned their stories. It did not take long to recognize the continued need for these projects and additional programming beyond the restrictive days of COVID-19. With these stories in mind, Deeply Ingrained, Inc was founded with the mission…Providing youth and underserved individuals woodworking opportunities that develop creativity, learning, and skill-building.

You can listen to founder, Dave Haughs, talk about the joy that Deeply Ingrained, Inc. has given him on Baise Communications’ “Our Joy Project” with Kelly Young.

Meet Our Board

Brandi young, President

As Deeply Ingrained's President, Brandi oversees our social media strategy and execution, fundraising and sponsorship efforts. Her professional experience includes 20 years+ experience as a fundraising executive at Simon Youth Foundation and retail marketing and management with Simon Malls throughout the U.S. Brandi holds a bachelor’s degree in sports marketing from Indiana University. Brandi is a mother of two daughters, one who is a freshman at University of Dayton and the other is a student at Franklin Central HS. Brandi also volunteers her time as Vice President at our local soccer club, Circle City FC.

Meagon Badger, Vice President

Meagon has served on the Board of Directors for Deeply Ingrained since August 2020. She works to support all our volunteer efforts, coordinate packaging, outreach for donations, and helps distribute projects at various locations. Throughout her career she has worked to support many areas of health and education for children and adults within her community. This has led to her interest in joining Deeply Ingrained that supports children and adults of all ages and backgrounds. She is inspired by the projects and how they give those completing the projects a sense of accomplishment. Deeply Ingrained is helping children in ways they may not have had any exposure to before. Meagon has both a Bachelors and Masters degree in Healthcare Administration. She works for Community Health Network as a Practice Administrator. Meagon is a proud wife, mother of two kids and one furchild.

Wes Novak, Treasurer

A native Hoosier from northwest Indiana, Wes has served as Treasurer for Deeply Ingrained, Inc. since January 2021. As treasurer, Wes is responsible for overseeing the organization’s financial administration and advising the board of financial strategy and fundraising. Wes has 14 years of experience in treasury and finance and currently serves as a Treasury Manager for Ardagh Group. Wes received his undergraduate degree in 2001 from Trine University while playing football and his MBA from Indiana University. Wes’s passion for sports is seen in his spare time spent watching sports, fishing or coaching on the soccer field. Wes is a proud father of two daughters who he has coached over the years on their respective soccer teams.

Jennifer Baker, Secretary

A lifelong Indianapolis native, Jennifer has volunteered and supported Deeply Ingrained from the beginning. She enjoys assisting at workshops, working in the wood shop, and delivering projects when needed. She is a member of our fundraising and grant committee. Jennifer lives on the south side near all of her family and has a 24 year old daughter. She is a full time nurse practitioner and in her spare time, she loves to run, read books, and go hiking and camping.

Jamey Johnson

Jamey caught Dave’s vision for helping kids with an opportunity they may not otherwise have and to help all of us deal with the new world that we encountered during the pandemic. She jumped in during April of 2020 to help spread the word of our new endeavor and support in the packing and distribution operations. Jamey also spearheads the partnership with the Hope Gallery and Sycamore Services to distribute projects that provide this woodworking opportunity and outlet for their members. Jamey loves to see the creativity of these groups as well as all the others that have taken these projects and built beautiful displays of engineering artwork. These relationships allow Deeply Ingrained to grow to new heights and visions. During the day Jamey is a manager in the Design Graphics department at Allison Transmission, Inc. she is the mother of one teen, stepmother of one, and grandmother to her one year old granddaughter.