Brenda Gerber Vincent

Brenda Gerber Vincent joined GFW Inc. in 2018 as chief impact officer.  She is committed to advancing equity and enhancing quality of place for all through economic development, programming, and leadership.

Deeply rooted in her community, she serves on numerous boards and committees, working alongside others who share her commitment to building a stronger, more connected Fort Wayne. Brenda was the only representative from northeast Indiana appointed by Governor Holcomb to serve on the Opportunity Zones Task Force, a federal initiative to bring private-sector investments to low-income areas in Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana.

A proud, fourth-generation Fort Wayne native, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University—Go Hoosiers! Among her life’s many blessings, she counts her husband and children first, followed closely by co-founding the Carriage House, a nationally recognized rehabilitation facility established to restore seriously mentally ill persons to maximum social and employment functioning.

Brenda has been recognized with Indiana’s highest civilian honor – the Sagamore of the Wabash; is an alumna of the Aspen Institute for Global Leadership; and was the first woman in Northeast Indiana to receive the prestigious Heart of Indiana Torchbearer Award. In 2024, Brenda was honored with the Dr. Daryl Yost Community Impact Award, which celebrates individuals who drive transformational change, lead with humility, and dedicate themselves to serving others. Most recently, Brenda was named the Boys & Girls Clubs’ “Woman of the Year”.