Finalists named for 2026 Champions of Change Awards

Thirty-eight local individuals have been named finalists for the 2026 Champions of Change Awards, which recognize those who mentor, empower, and advocate for women across Allen County. Winners will be announced on April 28 during Greater Fort Wayne Inc.’s Champions of Change Awards Dinner.

The 2026 Champions of Change Awards will honor individuals across four categories: corporate, education, nonprofit, and public service.

The finalists in the corporate category are:

• Sheila Anderson, JPMorgan Chase
• Kathleen Casey-Gamez, Sweetwater
• Lisa Cashel, Aptean
• Terrece Fairgood, 1st Source Bank
• Amanda Muldoon, NAI Hanning & Bean
• Rebecca Welch, Design Collaborative
• Lissette Wyche, La Tiendita

The finalists in the education category are:

• Kristin Conley, Indiana Tech
• Heidi Fowler, Ivy Tech Community College
• Marilyn Hissong, East Allen County Schools
• Andrenette Lee Montgomery, All God’s Children Daycare Center
• Laurie Perolio-Bullinger, Bishop Luers High School
• Ashlie Simpson, Fort Wayne Community Schools
• Aisha Smiley, Indiana University Fort Wayne

The finalists in the nonprofit category are:

• Tina Acosta, Turnstone Center
• Karen Eller, Culture Beyond Compliance & Karen Eller Consulting
• Leslie Friedel, Stillwater Hospice
• Regenia Frison Jones, Hands on Haven Inc.
• Erica Hyatt, Breastie Boxes
• Kristen Kimmel, World Baseball Academy, Inc.
• Zanzy Lewis, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program N.E. IN
• Lindsey Lortie, Blue Jacket, Inc.
• Heidi Ludwig, Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne
• Danielle Lyons, Foster Grandparents
• Jackie Martinez, St. Joseph Community Health Foundation
• Andrea Mekonnen, Neighborhood Health
• Emilia Miles, Don Wood Foundation
• Miriam Morgan, Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne
• Erin Ness, St. Joseph Missions Women’s Shelter
• Mary Shankster, Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana
• Jami Thomas, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center
• Maria Yuquilima, Yuquilima Solutions

The finalists in the public service category are:

• Réna Bradley, City of Fort Wayne
• George Guy, Fort Wayne Housing Authority
• Kelly Harrison, 122d Fighter Wing, Indiana Air National Guard
• Tesa Helge, Allen County Prosecutor’s Office
• Ingrid Herroitt, Allen County Sheriff’s Department
• Nikki Quintana, Fort Wayne Metro Human Relations Commission

“We are proud to celebrate the finalists for the Champions of Change Awards and the lasting impact they are making in Allen County,” said Meghan Murphy, director of investor programs at GFW Inc. “Through their leadership, mentorship, and advocacy, these individuals are helping empower women, open doors of opportunity, and strengthen our community. GFW Inc. is honored to recognize their contributions and the positive change they inspire every day.”

Now in its eighth year, previous winners include:

• 2019 – Wendy Moyle and John Dortch
• 2020 – Corinna Ladd and Marty Pastura
• 2021 – Leslee Hill and Rachel Tobin-Smith
• 2022 – Alison Gerardot, Jeanné Wickens, and Jeff Roberts
• 2023 – Flora Barrón, Daniel Boylan, Lori Morgan, and Sharon Pohly
• 2024 – Whitney Bandemer, Lisa D. Givan, Denita Washington, Stephanie Crandall
• 2025 – Jama Ross, Dawn Clopton, Captain Andrea Burton, Dr. Debra Faye Williams-Robbins, Casey Claypool

The GFW Inc. Women’s Network will present the 2026 Champions of Change Awards at a dinner scheduled for April 28 at Parkview Mirro Event & Conference Center. Tables and individual tickets are available through April 13. To learn more and register, visit champions.gfwinc.com.