Fort Wayne, Ind. – Marla Schneider, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Greater Fort
Wayne Inc., has been named a “Forty Under 40” award winner by Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly.
“I am honored to be chosen as one of the Forty Under 40 professionals in the community,” said
Schneider. “I am passionate about my work and I’m grateful to have a supportive group of coworkers that
strive to make this community greater every day.”
In 2007, Schneider began working at the Fort Wayne – Allen County Economic Development Alliance as
Marketing Manager. She was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2009 and maintained that position
until the Alliance combined with the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce in January of 2014. At
37 years of age, she now holds the title of Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Greater
Fort Wayne Inc.
In her new role at GFW Inc., Schneider leads marketing, communications, event planning, and
technologies for the organization. In addition to supporting the organization’s primary branding and
communications, she and her team also support the departments of economic development, business
services, business advocacy, leadership development / community engagement, and graduate retention.
“In a short time frame, Schneider has overseen the development of a new web site, marketing plans and
materials, and skillfully handled significant media relations for the newly formed organization,” said Mark
Becker, CEO. “She also has a very strong technical background and has proven to be invaluable in the
strategic implementation of technology for Greater Fort Wayne Inc.’s new offices.”
Schneider is a native of Fort Wayne and is a 1996 graduate of Northrop High School. In 2001, she received
a B.S. in Information Technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York.
Schneider is also a graduate of the Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana’s Leadership Institute and
volunteers on the Leadership Development Committee for the planning of Power Lunch and Leadership
Institute programs.
Schneider, along with the 39 other young professionals will be recognized on Wednesday, March 19,
2014 at a dinner at Ceruti’s Banquet and Event Center in Fort Wayne. The 40‐member class will also be
featured in a special edition of the Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly, distributed on March 21 to 12
counties in Northeast Indiana.
Schneider is the fourth member of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. to receive the award. Along with Schneider,
the past Forty Under 40 recipients from the GFW Inc. staff are: Justin Clupper, Director of Graduate
Retention Program; Katy Stafford‐Cunningham, Vice President of Business Advocacy; and Melissa Beber,
Business Advocacy Manager.
