Board of Directors

Chelsey Smith is the President and Co-Founder of the Indiana Youth Robotics Foundation. An elementary STEM educator, she is passionate about expanding access to high-quality, mentor-led robotics programs for students across Indiana.

As a VEX coach and Judge Advisor, Chelsey regularly volunteers at VEX IQ events, supporting students in developing technical skills, confidence, and leadership. She believes that deep learning happens when students explore concepts from multiple perspectives and build confidence by teaching others — a philosophy that guides her work in both the classroom and the robotics community.

Rachel Stites, RN, is the Vice President and Co-Founder of the Indiana Youth Robotics Foundation. An avid fundraiser and passionate advocate for STEM and robotics education, Rachel was inspired after seeing the profound impact robotics had on her own children—both of whom competed at the VEX Robotics World Championship.

She is deeply committed to expanding access to high-quality STEM opportunities for students in her community. Rachel believes that fostering confidence and creativity through strong educational experiences is essential not only for academic growth, but also for long-term mental well-being. Her vision is to help build stronger families and communities through educational programs that create meaningful, generational impact.