Heartland Center Team

Fr. Jim Dixon, S.J.Rev. James M. Dixon, S.J., Director
Fr. Dixon's responsibility is with the Office of Peace and Justice. He is Coordinator for the Indiana Catholic Conference, and the Coordinator for Rural Life for the Diocese of Gary.
Before coming to Heartland Center, Fr. Dixon was Pastor of Our Lady of the Sioux in Oglala, South Dakota; Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Mercy and St. Ignatius Parishes in Chicago; Vicar for Native American Ministry for the Diocese of Phoenix, Pastor of St. Anthony's Parish, Weiner, Arkansas; Pastoral Minister for Hispanics in seven counties in Northeast Arkansas; and Associate Judge of the Marriage Tribunal for the Diocese of Little Rock.
Fr. Dixon graduated from Loyola University in Chicago with a B.A. in Philosophy, Fordham University with an M.A. in Sociology, and from the Toronto School of Theology/St. Mary's with a M.Dv, Masters in Divinity. Fr. Dixon has taught at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago.
Fr. Dixon can be contacted at jdixon@heartlandctr.org

Ms. Francine Hintz, Assistant Director
Fran was a volunteer with Heartland Center when it began and joined the staff in 1992. Prior to that she worked in administration at LARC, which is a not-for-profit association designed to assist developmentally disabled adults. She was also a correspondent for The Calumet Press.
Fran has attended Illinois State University, Calumet College, and Indiana University Northwest. Fran has two daughters. Her husband, Donald Smith, is the father of five sons. Together they have eight grandchildren.
Fran can be contacted at fhintz@heartlandctr.org

Lori Brow, Research Analyst
Lori Brow is Heartland Center’s Research Analyst. Lori is currently completing program requirements to earn a Master’s in Sociology from Ball State University. During her tenure there, she received a certificate in Institutional Research and worked in the Office of Academic Assessment and Institutional Research. She also became involved in researching modern portrayals of sexuality and gender, as well as developing an appreciation for qualitative research methods. Other research interests include deviance, civil rights, and domestic violence. In addition, Lori earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Sociology and Criminal Justice, graduating cum laude from Ball State in 2006.