FORT WAYNE, Ind. —Yesterday, 51 individuals celebrated their graduation from the Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW) program. The graduation ceremony, part of Greater Fort Wayne Inc.’s annual LFW Alumni Breakfast, served as a milestone in the Class of 2023’s commitment to servant leadership and community trusteeship.
The event honored the 41st cohort of the program since its founding in 1983, adding 51 graduates to the growing 1,500+ person alumni network. Many alums have gone on to serve on or lead nonprofit boards, hold elected office, or run businesses.
LFW is a nine-month program that provides an in-depth view of the many facets of the community while developing each participant’s leadership skills. By developing these skills, participants are better prepared to positively impact the community and their workplaces.
Highlights of the program include behind-the-scenes tours of local landmarks, presentations by community leaders and leadership development experts, skills assessments, and Community Action Team projects that help local nonprofits solve real-world challenges. The Class of 2023 participated in monthly program days covering topics including community history, public safety, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. LFW participants can also gain additional leadership experience serving as intern board members for local nonprofits.
“This class is incredibly talented, and they are passionate about serving and improving our community,” said Meghan Short, director of investor programs at GFW Inc. “It has been an honor to watch them discover and develop their innate talents. I can’t wait to see them lead the way to a successful future for Allen County.”
Members of the Leadership Fort Wayne Class of 2023 and their sponsoring individuals/organizations are:
| Josh Ambrose Custer: Workplace Furniture and Design | Ryan Bauer Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority | Jasmine Bejar One Lucky Guitar, Inc. |
| Tony Belton Purdue University Fort Wayne | Mo Bender Fort Wayne Community Schools | Wayne Bennett BFGoodrich / Michelin North America |
| Jamie Berndt Lincoln Financial Group | Jill Boggs Visit Fort Wayne | Susan Brown Ivy Tech Community College |
| Willie Burton Fort Wayne Fire Department | Keiara Carr Amani Family Services & LFW Alumni Donors | Humair Chowdhry Centier Bank |
| Jerry Cunningham Wayne Combustion Systems | Katie Davis Indiana Michigan Power | Shelly Detcher Camp Red Cedar |
| Connor Fleck Barrett McNagny, LLP | Thad Gerardot Lincoln Financial Group | Anne Hall Community Transportation Network & LFW Alumni Donors |
| Jared Herndon Ash Brokerage | Brian Hickam Indiana Tech | Elaine Jones Stillwater Hospice |
| Lisa Keirns STAR Financial Bank | Andrew Kopec Purdue University Fort Wayne | Ivy Kurgan Lutheran Health Network |
| Mike Landgraf Canterbury School | Jonathan Leist City of Fort Wayne | Emily Leonard Fort Wayne City Utilities |
| Aarón Madrigal Gutiérrez Steel Dynamics, Inc. | Mitch McKinney Fort Wayne Police Department | Fred McKissack The Journal Gazette |
| Andie Mosley AWS Foundation | Frank Navarro Sweetwater | Jessica Pater Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation |
| Dena Pickens The League & AWS Foundation | Kylie Riecken Bowen Center & The Lutheran Foundation | Mike Ripley Hylant |
| Schvalla Rivera United Front Initiative | Adriane Roberts Vera Bradley | Jeff Roberts Fort Wayne Community Schools |
| Sofia Rosales-Scatena Fort Wayne Police Department | D’Quan Ruth YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne & 3Rivers Federal Credit Union | Tasha Sector Metropolitan Title of Indiana, LLC |
| David Sherman 122nd Fighter Wing, Indiana Air National Guard | Tyler Sipe Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana | Eric Steenman Lake City Bank |
| Steven Townes The Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana & CSX Transportation | Jenna Tyler Summit Brands | Rachel Vedder Design Collaborative |
| Ashley Warren STAR Financial Bank | John Watkins Don Ayres Honda | Josiah Wells Parkview Health |
Applications for the LFW Class of 2024 closed in October. Individuals interested in participating in the Class of 2025 can visit LeadershipFW.com or email leadership@gfwinc.com for more information about applying.
About Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. serves Fort Wayne and Allen County, Indiana, 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.
