Last week, 56 individuals celebrated their graduation from Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. leadership development programs. The Class of 2020 included 47 graduates from the Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW) program, and nine trailblazers who graduated as part of the inaugural cohort of the Leadership 2.0 program.
Both programs pivoted from in-person sessions to virtual programming this spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the change in format, both cohorts completed their respective programs in full.
“Sometimes the most challenging things make the memories more special,” said Barry Schrock, director of leadership programs at GFW Inc. “This will definitely be a class to remember, not just because it was during a pandemic, but because of the lessons we all learned and the long-lasting bonds that were formed. This class has some of the most talented current and rising leaders that I have had the pleasure to work with in our community.”
Wrapping up its 38th year, LFW is an eight-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. Since 1983, Leadership Fort Wayne has graduated more than 1,400 individuals, many of whom now serve on or lead nonprofit boards, hold elected office, or own their own businesses.
The LFW Class of 2020 is a diverse cross-section of the community, representing a variety of professions, faiths, races, and orientations. Graduating members and their sponsors include:
| Dan Beechy Centier Bank | Joe Behling Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority | Rebecca Bishop Ivy Tech Community College |
| Frances Brooks Parkview Foundation | Jerry Brown Jr. NIPSCO | Emily Carroll RAISE Consulting |
| Douglas Clark Ambassador Enterprises | Natasha Clark Michelin North America | Amanda Drakeford SCAN, Inc. |
| Tim Durnell Premier Bank | David Dyer Tonn and Blank Construction | Chad Eckland C.H. Robinson |
| Jean Fahy Do it Best Corp. | Richard Gnau JPMorgan Chase | Sarah Gordon Manchester University |
| Rowan Greene Heartland Communities | Melissa Gruys Purdue University Fort Wayne | David Hoffman Do it Best Corp. |
| Patrick Kelly YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne | Susan Koontz Lincoln Financial Group | Melissa Kurten Purdue University Fort Wayne |
| Mindy Kurtz Parkview Health | Jamee Lock Isaac Knapp District Dental Society | Crissy Moloney Downtown Improvement District |
| Jessica Morales Canterbury School | Tim Moriarty Old National Bank | Chris Mulkey 3Rivers Federal Credit Union |
| Brenda Niccum The League | Abigail Noble City Utilities | Emily Oberlin Fort Wayne Community Schools |
| Maurice Pearl Citilink | Nikki Quintana Fort Wayne Metropolitan Human Relations Commission | Chuck Reddinger Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department |
| Heather Riggle Indiana Michigan Power | Gennifer Robbins Parkview Health | Aaron Robles Founders Spark |
| John Saboski Micropulse, Inc. | Marissa Sauer Crossroad Child & Family Services | Jessica Shaw University of Saint Francis |
| Chad Shirar Parkview Health | Zack Spieth Indiana Air National Guard 122nd Fighter Wing | Lexi Strabala Fort Wayne TinCaps |
| Jermaine Thomas Fort Wayne Fire Department | Jennifer Tinker Lincoln Financial Group | Jonathan Ward Lutheran Health Network |
| Jared Widenhoefer Mosaic Building Solutions | Jennifer Wiggins Aegis Malpractice Solutions |
Leadership 2.0
GFW Inc. launched the Leadership 2.0 program in 2019 as a springboard for aspiring and current leaders in Allen County to take their leadership abilities to a higher level.
The Leadership 2.0 curriculum builds on the Leadership Fort Wayne program, featuring tools and techniques that help participants more confidently lead, regardless of their position in an organization. The program is open to graduates of LFW or the Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana Leadership Institute.
Graduates in the inaugural class of Leadership 2.0 are:
| Nathan Berndt ThermaTru | Jenna Gunn Greater Fort Wayne Inc. | Justin Hayes Lake City Bank |
| Stephanie Henry Fort Wayne Agvocate | Casey Keirn Lincoln Financial Group | Amanda Muldoon 3Rivers Federal Credit Union |
| Wade Owen Sweetwater | Jeremy Reidy Barnes & Thornburg LLP | Jeri Rusk WBCL Radio Network |
For more information about Leadership 2.0, visit L20.gfwinc.com.
About Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. serves Fort Wayne and Allen County, Ind., as its metro chamber alliance and 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.
