Fort Wayne, Ind. – On Wednesday morning, fifty-nine outstanding individuals celebrated their graduation from the Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW) program during a special ceremony at Greater Fort Wayne Inc.’s annual LFW Alumni Breakfast. This event marked the culmination of a nine-month journey in servant leadership and learning for the graduates.
This year’s cohort joins a distinguished group of more than 1,600 LFW alumni, representing the 42nd cohort since the program’s founding in 1983. Many alumni have gone on to make a lasting impact on the community by serving on nonprofit boards, holding elected office, and leading businesses throughout the region.
The LFW program is a transformative experience designed to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the community while fostering the development of key leadership skills. Graduates emerge better equipped to contribute meaningfully to their workplaces and the broader community.
Highlights of the program include behind-the-scenes tours of local landmarks, presentations by influential community leaders, leadership development workshops, skills assessments, and hands-on Community Action Team projects that address real-world challenges faced by local nonprofits. Throughout 2024, participants engaged in monthly program days covering critical topics such as community history, public safety, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, LFW participants had the opportunity to serve as intern board members for local nonprofits, gaining valuable leadership experience.
“Like our previous classes, this cohort is incredibly talented. They are deeply committed to making a positive difference in our community,” said Meghan Short, director of investor programs at GFW Inc. “It has been a privilege to watch them grow as leaders and harness their unique skills. I’m excited to see the impact they will continue to have as they help shape a bright future for Allen County.”
The Leadership Fort Wayne Class of 2024 includes:
Kirstie Bailey
Ash Brokerage
LaRae Bane
Allen County Public Library
Timothy Boggs
Three Rivers Federal Credit Union
Stephanie Brickley
Lincoln Financial Group
Joe Brown
Fort Wayne Community Schools
Halie Brown
The League
Rachel Bruce
Hylant
Nathan Burnell
Lake City Bank
Jessa Campbell
Visit Fort Wayne
Corey Clark
MKM architecture + design
Matthew Cloud
Canterbury School
Brittany Derengowski
Southwest Fire District
Alyssa Ehinger
Parkview Health
Sherif Elfayoumy
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Derek Fahrer
L3Harris
Jonathan Flickinger
Fort Wayne Fire Department
Kristen Ginder
Don Ayres Honda
David Godwin
Indiana Air National Guard, 122nd Fighter Wing
Melissa Gratz
Neighborhood Health Clinic
Spencer Haber
Indiana University Fort Wayne
Jared Harvey
Indiana Tech
Mark Heine
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
Ryan Heine
Summit Brands
Tesa Helge
Allen County Prosecutor’s Office
Angie Hormann
Parkview Health / PVPMG
Adam James
Design Collaborative
Andrew Jones
AMG RLTY Solutions
Lloyd Jones
Life Adult Day Academy
Shubitha Kever
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Mark Klinger
Premier Bank
Nitish Kulkarni
Sweetwater
Jesse LaFromboise
Indiana Michigan Power
Emily Lahr
Stillwater Hospice
Brok Lahrman
Lake City Bank
Tara Ledet
L3Harris
Jacqueline Lonis
PNC Bank
Richard Lower
City of New Haven
Kyla Madison
STAR Financial Bank
Curtis Metz
F&M Bank
Alison Miyauchi
University of Saint Francis
Marty Oehlhof
JH Specialty
Lisa Otis
NIPSCO
Matt Pettit
Lutheran Health Network / Community Health Systems
Emmanuel Rodriguez
Fort Wayne Fire Department
Eric Ruppert
Fort Wayne City Utilities
Matt Saines
Do it Best
Justin Scheumann
Indiana Air National Guard, 122nd Fighter Wing
Heather Schillinger
Supportive Behavior Services, LLC & Behavioral Consultation Services, LLC
Andrew Skillman
1st Source Bank
Justin Sklenar
Pacific Impressions
Erica Smith
Brotherhood Mutual
Tracina Smith
Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne
Kaicey Stubbings
3DE Schools by Junior Achievement
Amber Targgart
Early Childhood Alliance
Justin Treft
Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority
Cynthia Wellman
Lincoln Financial Group
Kimberly Wilder
Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
Elaine Wilson
Saint Anne Communities
Kelli Witter
Michelin North America
Applications for the LFW Class of 2025 close on October 21, 2024. Individuals can visit LeadershipFW.com or email mshort@gfwinc.com to learn more information about applying.
