Ex-Carmel Christkindlmarkt CEO’s resignation letter says she was ‘undermined’

(IBJ file photo)

The former CEO of the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, who resigned this week, wrote in a letter that she had been “excluded from key decisions” and “undermined” since changes were made last fall to the market’s board of directors.

Maria Adele Rosenfeld, whose last day leading Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc. was Wednesday, had led the nonprofit since its founding in 2017 during the tenure of former Mayor Jim Brainard. She submitted her resignation to the organization’s board of directors on Tuesday.

Carmel Christkindlmarkt is a German-themed holiday festival that runs from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. The city contends the Christkindlmarkt was established as a city-owned event that is operated by the three-member board of Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc., a nonprofit that is considered a subsidiary of the city.

“This decision is the result of numerous factors, but in summary it has become abundantly clear to me that this board does not want me in this role as a high functioning, visionary CEO for the organization,” Rosenfeld wrote in the letter obtained by IBJ. “Since last fall, I have been excluded from key decisions involving the Market, and I have been prevented from speaking on behalf of the Market in situations in which the voice of the CEO is paramount. As a result, my leadership as CEO has been undermined.”

In October, Mayor Sue Finkam announced changes to the organizational structure of Carmel Christkindmarkt Inc. when she removed two board members, Brenda Myers and Sven Schumacher. Board Chair Susan McDermott also resigned. Finkam appointed McDermott and Myers to the board in January 2024, while Schumacher had served on the board since 2019. Finkam took office in January 2024.

Rosenfeld submitted her resignation the same day McDermott filed a lawsuit against Finkam and the city of Carmel. The lawsuit claims that Finkam defamed McDermott last fall in comments that the mayor made at two Carmel City Council meetings and to members of the media alleging that McDermott delayed and withheld financial documents from the city.

The current board consists of Chair Maddie Augustus, a registered lobbyist with law firm Faegre Drinker; Vice Chair Abhi Reddy, chief of staff and legislative counsel for the Indiana treasurer of state; and Secretary-Treasurer Zac Jackson, who serves as the city of Carmel’s chief financial officer.

Finkam said in written remarks that the Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc. board is “actively working to identify both interim and long-term leadership” and that the city remains “committed to honoring the Market’s legacy while embracing new opportunities to enhance and grow this cherished tradition for years to come.”

“We are thankful for Maria’s role in helping to shape the Carmel Christkindlmarkt into one of the nation’s most beloved holiday traditions,” Finkam said. “Her efforts, along with CCI staff and volunteers, have laid a strong foundation that continues to bring joy to our community each year.”

In her letter, Rosenfeld listed several examples of times she was not able to perform her leadership duties since last fall, including that she was excluded from discussion about the termination of Myers and Schumacher and the appointment of the new board members.

“I knew nothing about those changes until after they happened,” Rosenfeld wrote.

She also wrote that she was not consulted last fall about discussions for a new operating agreement and did not know about the meeting when the Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc. board adopted the agreement.

Earlier this year, the city and organization began negotiations for an amended operating agreement. According to Rosenfeld’s letter, she presented “several thoughtful recommendations” to Augustus, but many of the recommendations were not presented to the city and several of her concerns were disregarded. She also wrote that Augustus served as the spokesperson for Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc. when leadership met with the city, and Rosenfeld was “limited in terms of what I was allowed to say.”

“Once again, the amended agreement was signed by the board on April 16 without my involvement or input on the final version,” Rosenfeld wrote.

The market and its financial ties to the city are currently under review by a committee helmed by Finkam, who has publicly questioned market leaders’ transparency. Since its inception, the city has provided millions of dollars in support for the market’s logistics.

Rosenfeld wrote that Augustus instructed her not to speak at the Carmel Affiliate Review Committee’s April 16 meeting. Members of the committee discussed Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc.’s relationship with the city. Rosenfeld had signed up to speak during public comment at the meeting but left the Carmel City Hall chamber early.

In her letter, Rosenfeld questioned the independence of the Affiliate Review Committee, noting that Augustus and Marilee Springer, the outside legal counsel leading the review, both work at the same law firm. She also questioned Jackson’s independence as a board member due to his position as Carmel’s chief financial officer.

Rosenfeld wrote that she determined she needed to resign during the Affiliate Review Committee meeting.

“Even though all the members of the CCI board were present at that meeting, no one stepped up to advocate for the Market or our staff, nor did any board member seek to address the concerns that were raised by the City,” she wrote.

The Affiliate Review Committee will meet again at 5 p.m. Thursday at Carmel City Hall. The committee is expected to focus on the Carmel Midtown Community Development Corp. and the Carmel City Center Community Development Corp. The Carmel City Council’s next meeting is 6 p.m. Monday.