The 67-member cohort is the 43rd and largest class since the start of the program
Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW) officially launched the Class of 2025. Greater Fort Wayne Inc. introduced the 67-member class at the LFW Welcome Reception last week, marking the forty-third and largest cohort in the program’s history.
LFW is a nine-month initiative designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the Fort Wayne and Allen County community while fostering their leadership abilities. By building these skills, participants are better equipped to make meaningful contributions in their workplaces and throughout the community.
Since its inception in 1983, LFW has graduated more than 1,600 individuals. Many alumni have gone on to lead nonprofit boards, hold elected office, or start their businesses, making a lasting impact on the region.
This year’s class launched its program with a two-day orientation hosted by Do it Best on the Electric Works campus with Lutheran Life Villages as the program day sponsor. Beginning next month, the Class of 2025 will participate in monthly program days focusing on topics such as community history, public safety, as well as inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. These sessions will run through September, culminating in a graduation ceremony at the Leadership Fort Wayne alumni breakfast in October.
“As we welcome the Class of 2025, it’s clear that the commitment to strengthening our community’s leadership is stronger than ever,” said Meghan Short, Director of Investor Programs at Greater Fort Wayne Inc. “This cohort represents the vibrant diversity of our community, and their energy and ideas will undoubtedly help propel Fort Wayne and Allen County forward.”
Short added, “Leadership Fort Wayne is more than a program—it’s a catalyst for transformation. We’re excited to see how this year’s class will grow, inspire others, and contribute to building a brighter future for our community.”
Members of the Leadership Fort Wayne Class of 2025 include:
- David Amen, Fort Wayne Community Schools
- Kimisha Anderson, Stillwater Hospice
- Erin Arnold, PBS Fort Wayne
- Alexandra Backer, Purdue Fort Wayne
- Annie Bazur, Saint Anne Communities
- Isaac Beal, Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company
- Alan Beasley, Three Rivers Federal Credit Union
- Maureen Bernath, F&M Bank
- Matthew Bochard, GreenWay Bank
- Kurt Briner, 122nd Fighter Wing, Indiana Air National Guard
- Cody Brooks, Fort Wayne Fire Department
- Ethan Brown, SYM Financial Advisors
- Carla Butts, Ambassador Enterprises, Doden Legacy Office
- Gianna Casaburo, Purdue University Fort Wayne
- Thomas Chaille, Allen County Prosecutor’s Office
- Leyla Clark, L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
- Abigail Cole, Lincoln Financial
- Aaron Crouch, Vera Bradley
- Dawn Etman, Parkview Hospital
- Christopher Faurote, Weigand Construction
- John Felts, City of Fort Wayne
- Alisha Furlong, 122nd Fighter Wing, Indiana Air National Guard
- Audrey Gilbert, Concordia Lutheran High School
- Benjamin Groeneweg, City Utilities
- Trent Hammond, Michelin NA
- Cheri Hampton-Farmer, Communicating Matters LLC
- Jenna Harter, Summit Brands
- Kerry Hasselbach, Do it Best
- Jennifer Hendricks, Ash Brokerage
- Jeff Hermansen, Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority
- Jeremia Holmes-Ploor, Surf Internet
- Emily Hower, Elevatus Architecture
- Shannon Hughes, Fort Wayne Police Department
- Garrett Leeper, Premier Bank
- Gregory Lilly, Lutheran Health Network
- Maureen Linvill, Purdue University Fort Wayne
- Samuel Loeffler
- Amanda Lynne, Lutheran Social Services of Indiana
- Eric Manor, Purdue University Fort Wayne
- Corey McMaken, The Journal Gazette
- Jessica Neuenschwander, Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne
- Dustin Newcomer, United Way of Allen County
- Phil Nguyen, Lake City Bank
- Paula Nickell, Fort Financial Credit Union
- Fayika Farhat Nova, Parkview Health
- Ameenah Outlaw, Lake City Bank
- Amber Passaglia, Fort Wayne Fire Department
- Tyler Rondeau, Old National Bank
- Timo Rutkowski, TWE Nonwoven US Inc.
- Blake Schumacher, Hylant
- Karis Schwab, Sweetwater Sound
- Mark Scudder, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
- Chad Shaw, City of Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation
- Emilie Shoquist, Patterson Riegel Advertising
- Benjamin Slater, L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
- Trevor Smith, STAR Financial Bank
- Sarah Starcher, Byron Wellness Community
- Kara Stevenson, Indiana Michigan Power
- Tim Terman, Design Collaborative
- Abby Todt, Parkview Health
- Claire Trump, Lincoln Financial
- Zach Washler, City of New Haven
- Jeremy Webb, Fort Wayne Police Department
- Kelsie Weber, Surack Enterprises
- Kathleen Williamson, Indiana University Fort Wayne
- Alicia Wireman, Indiana Tech
- Jayme Yates, Bowen Health
For more information about Leadership Fort Wayne, visit greaterfortwayneinc.com.
