GFW Inc. welcomes Leadership Fort Wayne Class of 2026

The 60-member cohort is the 44th class since the start of the program

Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW) officially launched the Class of 2026. Greater Fort Wayne Inc. introduced the 60-member class at the LFW Welcome Reception earlier this month, continuing a pattern of large classes.

LFW is a nine-month initiative designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the Fort Wayne and Allen County community while fostering their leadership abilities. By building these skills, participants are better equipped to make meaningful contributions in their workplaces and throughout the community.

Since its inception in 1983, LFW has graduated more than 1,700 individuals. Many alumni have gone on to lead nonprofit boards, hold elected office, or start their businesses, making a lasting impact on the region.

This year’s class launched its program with a two-day orientation hosted at Do it Best. Beginning next month, the Class of 2026 will participate in monthly program days focusing on topics such as economic development, public safety, education, and health services. These sessions will run through September, culminating in a graduation ceremony at the Leadership Fort Wayne alumni reunion and social in late September.

“As we welcome the Leadership Fort Wayne Class of 2026, we are proud to celebrate the 44th cohort in the program’s history,” said Meghan Murphy, Director of Investor Programs at Greater Fort Wayne Inc. “This cohort of 60 leaders reflects the strength and diversity of our community and a shared commitment to growing as leaders who give back.” Murphy added, “With more than 1,700 alumni, Leadership Fort Wayne continues to shape the people who help move Allen County forward. We are excited to see how the Class of 2026 will build on that legacy and make a lasting impact.”

Members of the Leadership Fort Wayne Class of 2026 include:

• Benjamin Bailey, Barrett McNagny
• Dan Baisden, City of Fort Wayne
• Kristin Bassett, Indiana University
• Mitchell Berry, Barnes & Thornburg, LLP
• Jennifer Betz, The League
• Sherronda Blocher, Fort Wayne Police Department
• Beth Boatright, Allen County Public Library
• Kim Borland, F&M Bank
• Michelle Bosworth, Fort Wayne Community Schools
• Sean Braden, PNC Bank
• Nicholas Brand, Purdue University Fort Wayne
• Matthew Braun, East Central Fire/EMS
• James Briggs, Fort Wayne Newspaper Group
• Katie Briner, Design Collaborative
• Heidi Buffenbarger, Stillwater Hospice
• Julie Burgener, Parkview Health
• Matthew Crabill, Fort Wayne Aero Center
• Jason Crowder, Fort Wayne Police Department
• Megan Custer, STAR Financial Bank
• Shaka Dhladhla, Sweetwater Sound
• Gavin Drew, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre
• Devan Filchak, The Journal Gazette
• Chase Fry, NIPSCO
• Nick Goodnight, Ivy Tech Community College
• Melissa Grossman, Amani Family Services
• Abigail Hatch, Aquent
• Justin Hayes, Lake City Bank
• Zachary Hill, Fort Wayne Orthopedics
• James Isca, L3Harris Technologies
• Evan Johnston, Don Ayres Honda
• Eric Knox, Do it Best Corp
• Tiffany Lackey, Meridian Health Services
• Latiesha LaRue, The Ferguson Agency
• Barrett Leahy, Brotherhood Mutual Insurance
• Elizabeth Lewis, SEED Fort Wayne
• Subin Mathew, Indiana Michigan Power
• Mandee Mikulski, Science Central
• Alana Minx, 122nd Fighter Wing of Indiana Air National Guard
• Tracy Noetzel, Allen County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
• Kirsten Pendarvis, 3Rivers Federal Credit Union
• Betsy Perry Patton, Allen County Department of Environmental Management
• Bobbi Pfeiffer, Hylant
• Brandon Porter, Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
• Casandra Rojas, Michelin
• Ryan Schaefer, Lincoln Financial
• Marshelle Schutte, Better Business Bureau
• Erin Seidl, The Orthopedic Hospital of Lutheran Health Network
• Payton Smalley, Surack Enterprises
• Michael Smith, 122nd Fighter Wing of Indiana Air National Guard
• Dana Smith, Lincoln Financial
• Tyler Smith, City of New Haven
• Cassius Stallings, HealthVisions Midwest
• Jessica Steward, Indiana Tech
• Alisa Stovall, Windswell Foundation
• John Paul Thomas, Fort Wayne City Utilities
• Eric Todd, First Federal Savings Bank
• Tyler Tyson, Steel Dynamics
• Nicki Venable, Ambassador Enterprises
• Megan White, Better Business Bureau
• Stephanie Zee, Summit Brands

For more information about Leadership Fort Wayne, visit greaterfwinc.com/LFW-2026