FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Brenda Gerber Vincent will join the Greater Fort Wayne Inc. team as vice president of community and corporate impact, effective Jan. 28. In this new role, Gerber Vincent will manage investor services, signature programs like Leadership Fort Wayne, advocacy efforts, communications, and more.
“I am beyond excited to be joining the Greater Fort Wayne Inc. team during what I believe is the most exciting time in our community’s history,” Gerber Vincent said. “I look forward to building on the momentum, creating even more opportunities for all who live in Allen County.”
A fourth-generation Fort Wayne native, Gerber Vincent most recently served as the chief development officer for Lasting Change, a Fort Wayne nonprofit. In that role, she was responsible for fundraising, business development, and communications.
Gerber Vincent has a history of taking on big projects–as a commissioner for Indiana’s bicentennial celebration, she oversaw statewide bicentennial projects including Hoosier Homecoming, the Bicentennial Gala, and Ignite the Future, designed to showcase Hoosier pride. Given an initial goal of 200 projects, the committee eventually endorsed more than 1,500 projects in communities around the state.
In 1997, she co-founded the Carriage House, a Fort Wayne nonprofit that helps people recover from mental illness and reintegrate into the community. She continues to serve on the Carriage House’s board of directors. Gerber Vincent is also on the Parkview Regional Medical Center board of directors, as well as the board of governors for the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series, a national leadership program that prepares women for service in public office. She was the only representative from northeast Indiana appointed to the Opportunity Zones Task Force, a federal initiative to bring private-sector investments to low-income areas.
Gerber Vincent earned the Indiana Commission on Women’s prestigious “Heart of Indiana – Torchbearer Award” in 2018 and received the Sagamore of the Wabash, Indiana’s highest civilian honor, in 2016. She is a graduate of Indiana University, where she continues to serve on the Student Foundation board of associates.
“Brenda is a phenomenal addition to the team,” said John Urbahns, GFW Inc. president and CEO. “She is a proven leader with a passion for this community and a reputation for completing bold projects. I can’t wait to see her use her talents to help us build a nationally recognized economy here in Allen County.”
Urbahns will run the organization alongside three executive staff members: Gerber Vincent, Ellen Cutter, and Susan Wesner. Cutter will shift into the role of vice president of economic development while Wesner continues to serve as chief financial officer.
About Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. serves Fort Wayne and Allen County, Indiana, 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.
