Methodist Hospitals Foundation Appoints Celina Weatherwax as Executive Director

The Methodist Hospitals Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Celina A. Weatherwax as its new Executive Director. Weatherwax brings more than a decade of experience in philanthropic leadership, nonprofit management, and community engagement to the role, along with a strong commitment to serving Northwest Indiana.

Weatherwax most recently served as president and CEO of the MAAC Foundation, where she led strategic growth initiatives, strengthened community partnerships, and helped secure significant philanthropic investments that expanded the organization’s reach and impact. Her career has focused on connecting donors, community leaders, and organizations around shared missions that improve lives.

“Celina brings a deep understanding of philanthropy and a proven ability to build meaningful relationships across our community,” said Heather McCarthy, president of the Methodist Hospitals Foundation. “Her passion for storytelling, collaboration, and mission-driven work makes her an outstanding leader for our Foundation as we continue to support Methodist Hospitals’ exceptional patient care and community health initiatives.”

Weatherwax’s professional background also includes experience in government relations and communications, having served with U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar and U.S. Congressman Peter J. Visclosky, where she led advocacy, communications strategy, and regional outreach efforts.

“Philanthropy plays a vital role in our ability to invest in advanced care, innovative programs, and the overall patient experience,” said Matt Doyle, President and CEO of Methodist Hospitals. “Celina’s leadership and community-focused approach will help strengthen the Foundation’s impact and further our mission of delivering high-quality, compassionate care to the communities we serve.”

A Northwest Indiana resident, Weatherwax earned an MBA from Purdue University Northwest and a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Supervision. In her new role, she will focus on strengthening philanthropic partnerships, sharing the powerful stories behind Methodist Hospitals’ care, and advancing the Foundation’s mission to support patients, caregivers and programs across the health system.

About the Methodist Hospitals Foundation

Methodist Hospitals is a community-based, not-for-profit health system with two full-service acute care facilities in Gary and Merrillville, Indiana, that has been leading the way to better health for residents of Northwest Indiana for 100 years. The Methodist Hospitals Foundation is the steward of charitable contributions to the hospital, working to secure philanthropic support for the programs and services that Methodist Hospitals provides to patients, families and the community. The Foundation is united in purpose with the hospital in its efforts to ensure access to care and transform the health of citizens in Northwest Indiana.