FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Corinna Ladd and Marty Pastura were named the 2020 Champions of Change Award winners by the Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. Women’s Network. The awards, which aim to celebrate those who mentor and empower women in Allen County, were given Thursday at the GFW Inc. Annual Meeting.
“Corinna and Marty have selflessly given their time, talents, and treasures to serve women in this community,” said Brenda Gerber Vincent, VP of community and corporate impact at Greater Fort Wayne Inc. “Mentors like these two are unsung heroes, inspiring women to reach their full potential. All of the nominees have made a difference in our community and deserve to be recognized for the incredible work they are doing.”
Ladd is regional president for northern Indiana at PNC Financial Services Group. She is a PNC-certified Women’s Business Advocate, helping businesswomen develop strategies, solve problems, and improve their businesses. The certification also helps her empower her peers to better understand and support the demands of increasingly diverse customer base. Ladd is also highly engaged in the community, serving as a board member at Turnstone, a Big Sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, and a competitor in Habitat for Humanity’s “Goddess Contractor” fundraiser, among other community service roles.
“Mentoring helps people reach their full potential,” Ladd said. “It’s important to remember to help and mentor the ones who are coming up behind us. That way, we ensure a future that’s brighter for all.”
Pastura retired at the end of 2019 after 22 years as the president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne. At the Y, he championed a variety of staff development opportunities to prepare women to move up through the ranks. In 2009, 33% of local YMCA branch executive directors were female–a figure that rose to 73% by 2019. He has also served on boards and committees including Youth for Christ, Lutheran Social Services’ Mentoring Program, the Mayor’s Childcare Task Force, and more.
“Mentoring is very important,” Pastura said. “I think it eases others’ stress if they know somebody who has been in their shoes before.”
The winners were selected from a field of 19 nominees: 12 women and seven men. A blind panel of three chamber of commerce leaders from outside Allen County reviewed and scored the nominations.
The Champions of Change Awards are given each year to two extraordinary individuals from Allen County–one female and one male–who:
- Demonstrate an unwavering passion and commitment to our community.
- Are role models making a difference in the lives of others.
- Have made significant contributions that have inspired women to succeed.
- Have made Allen County a better place to live, work, and play.
An in-person awards luncheon was initially scheduled for April 23, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later incorporated into the GFW Inc. 2020 Annual Meeting, held last week at the Fort Wayne Aero Center. In true 2020 fashion, the awards were presented via Zoom by last year’s winners, Wendy Moyle and John Dortch.
About Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. serves Fort Wayne and Allen County, Ind., as its primary point of contact for economic growth. GFW Inc. focuses on prosperity and community vibrancy through economic development, advocacy, programs and resources that support business success, leadership development, graduate retention and community engagement.
