FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Thirty-nine local leaders have been selected as finalists for the 2023 Champions of Change Awards. The awards celebrate those who mentor and empower women in Allen County. Winners will be announced May 10 at a Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. Women’s Network dinner.
This year, a winner will be named in each of four categories: corporate, education, nonprofit, and public service.
The finalists in the corporate category are:
| Lorie Ailor, The Orthopedic Hospital, Lutheran Health Network | April Hinshaw, Cardinal School of Care |
| Flora Barron, Flora & Lily's Mexican Kitchen / Kanela / Pikoso | Amanda Muldoon, NAI Hanning & Bean |
| Megan Crites, MKM architecture + design | Jarrod Wilson, AEP / Indiana Michigan Power |
The finalists in the education category are:
| Daniel Boylan, Purdue University Fort Wayne | Krista Stockman, Fort Wayne Community Schools |
| Melissa Gruys, Purdue University Fort Wayne | Veronica Townes, Fort Wayne Community Schools |
| Giang Petroviak, Purdue University Fort Wayne |
The finalists in the nonprofit category are:
| Cassie Beer, Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne | Barbara Oliveira-Beckham, Courageous Healing, Inc. |
| Tammy Crane, Four:10 Ministries | Sharon Pohly, Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana |
| Carmen Cumberland, Community Harvest Food Bank | Shirley Rork, Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network |
| Amy Dahm Just, YMCA Youth Service Bureau | Debby Stellwagen, Boys & Girls Clubs of NE Indiana |
| Aisha Diss, project.ME | Tisha Strasser, Bring It - Push It - Own It |
| Melissa Grossman, Amani Family Services | Jami Thomas, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center |
| Natalie Harworth, Elevation Church | Emma Walker, YWCA Northeast Indiana |
| Mary Ann Mings, Inasmuch Ministry / Circles Allen County | Gina Zimmerman, Allen County Bar Association |
The finalists in the public service category are:
| Stephanie Crandall, City of Fort Wayne | Nikki Quintana, Fort Wayne Metropolitan Human Relations Commission |
| Sheila Curry-Campbell, Allen County Democratic Party | Darcy Robins, Fort Wayne Police Department |
| Lana Keesling, City of Fort Wayne | Salena Scardina, Indiana Economic Development Corporation |
| Mitch McKinney, Fort Wayne Police Department / Fraternal Order of Police | Samantha Taylor, Fort Wayne Police Department |
| Lori Morgan, Allen Superior Court | Sharon Tucker, Fort Wayne City Council / Vincent Village |
| Zynette Paige, Weisser Park Youth Center | Pone Vongphachanh, City of New Haven |
Nominations were submitted online by members of the Allen County community. A panel of leaders from Allen County reviewed and scored the nominations on a blind basis.
“Great mentors change the world every day, one person at a time. By investing in others, they make an immeasurable impact on our community,” said Meghan Short, director of investor programs at GFW Inc. “It’s our honor to spotlight our local mentors through the Champions of Change Awards.”
Wendy Moyle and John Dortch were the inaugural winners in 2019. Corinna Ladd and Marty Pastura were the winners in 2020. Leslee Hill and Rachel Tobin-Smith won in 2021, and Alison Gerardot, Jeanné Wickens, and Jeff Roberts were selected as winners in 2022.
The GFW Inc. Women’s Network will present the Champions of Change Awards at a dinner scheduled for May 10 at Ceruti’s Diamond Room. Tables and individual tickets are available; to register, visit champions23.gfwinc.com.
Thanks to support from the Barbara Burt Innovative Leader Fund hosted at the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, each of this year’s winners will be offered a $1,000 grant to assist with continued leadership growth and community impact.
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.
