Staff Spotlight – Stephanie Ertel
In 2023, we highlighted some of our great volunteers. For just a bit of 2024, we thought we would give shout outs to our staff of both the Foundation and the Cemetery. This month, we highlight Stephanie Ertel, Director of Education and Community Engagement at the Crown Hill Foundation.
Born and raised in Indiana, Stephanie has been with the Foundation for two years. She oversees all of the Foundation’s educational and community-programming efforts, including K-12 educational curriculum, standards-based field trips, community tours and events, and publicity across all social media platforms. She strives to grow and enhance educational opportunities and community programming to celebrate the architectural, cultural, and natural heritage of Crown Hill Cemetery.
When asked her favorite spot at Crown Hill, she said, “It is truly difficult to pick only one of my favorite spots in Crown Hill. I must say, when I have the opportunity, I simply enjoy walking beneath all of our beautiful trees and admiring the numerous gravestones, monuments and artwork that hold so many stories and meanings. I pinch myself that this serene place is my office!”
Outside of work, Steph spends time with her three children (Riley, 14; Lyla, 12, & Jamie, 8), her husband, Marc, and extended family and friends. She enjoys hiking, sports, painting, traveling, reading, and going to the movies. She loves to cook and bake, as she finds it relaxing and enjoys trying new recipes. (Co-workers want to know when they are going to get to try her culinary creations!)
Steph is most proud of her children. She loves and appreciates how different and unique each one of them is in each of their passions. Professionally, she has thoroughly enjoyed her recent change in career path. Steph was a classroom teacher for over 15 years but transitioned to her current position at the Foundation. She has found so much joy in planning for school groups, while also promoting all of the public tours we offer the community. In a short time, Steph has grown to become fond and protective of Crown Hill, and she continues to look forward to exposing all of the wonderful history we have to offer on our beautiful and sacred grounds.
Her energy brings so much to this place.
