Leadership-fort-wayne-graduation-2026

Graduating Cohort marks leadership development program’s 44th graduating class

On Thursday, September 24th, 56 exceptional individuals graduated from the Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW) program at a special ceremony during Greater Fort Wayne Inc.’s annual LFW Alumni Reunion and Graduation event sponsored by Lutheran Health Network. The event celebrated the culmination of the graduates’ nine-month journey of learning, growth, and servant leadership.

The 2026 graduates join a distinguished network of more than 1,700 Leadership Fort Wayne alumni. Since the program began in 1983, alumni from its 44 cohorts have made a lasting impact by leading regional businesses, serving on nonprofit boards, and holding elected office.

The LFW program is a transformative experience that deepens participants’ understanding of the community while strengthening essential leadership skills. Graduates leave prepared to make a lasting impact within their organizations and across the community.

Program highlights include behind-the-scenes tours of local landmarks, presentations from community leaders, leadership development workshops, skills assessments, and hands-on Community Action Team projects addressing real challenges faced by local nonprofits. During monthly program days, the 2026 cohort explored community history, public safety, diversity, equity, and inclusion, government, advocacy, and other topics shaping our community. Participants also had the opportunity to serve as intern board members for local nonprofits, gaining firsthand experience in nonprofit leadership and governance.

“Leadership Fort Wayne gives participants a closer look at where Allen County is succeeding and the gaps that still exist to continue driving positive change,” said Meghan Murphy, Director of Investor Programs at Greater Fort Wayne Inc. “Over the past nine months, these graduates stepped outside their everyday roles, formed new relationships, and gained a broader view of our community. We look forward to seeing how they put what they learned into practice.”

The Leadership Fort Wayne Class of 2026 includes:

• Benjamin Bailey, Barrett McNagny LLP
• Dan Baisden, City of Fort Wayne
• Kristin Bassett, Indiana University Fort Wayne
• Mitchell Berry, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
• Jennifer Betz, The League
• Sherronda Blocher, Fort Wayne Police Department
• Beth Boatright, Allen County Public Library
• Michelle Bosworth, Fort Wayne Community Schools
• Sean Braden, PNC Bank
• Nicholas Brand, Purdue University Fort Wayne
• Matthew Braun, East Central Fire
• James Briggs, Fort Wayne Newspaper
• Katie Briner, Design Collaborative
• 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
• 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, New Mercies Ministries
• Subin Mathew, Indiana Michigan Power
• Kim McGowin, F&M Bank
• Mandee Mikulski, Science Central
• Alana Minx, 122nd Fighter Wing, Indiana Air National Guard
• Tracy Heltz Noetzel, Allen County Prosecuting Attorneys 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.
• Ryan Schaefer, Lincoln Financial
• Marshelle Schutte, Wilcox & Associates
• Erin Seidl, The Orthopedic Hospital of Lutheran Health Network
• Payton Smalley, Surack Enterprises
• Dana Smith, Lincoln Financial
• Michael Smith, 122nd Fighter Wing, Indiana Air National Guard
• Tyler Smith, City of New Haven
• Cassius Stallings, Healthways Alliance
• Jessica Steward, Indiana Tech
• JP Thomas, Our Sunday Visitor
• Eric Todd, First Federal Savings Bank
• Tyler Tyson, Steel Dynamics
• Nicki Venable, Ambassador Enterprises
• Megan White, Better Business Bureau
• Stephanie Zee, Summit Brands

“We believe that investing in leadership development is not a luxury; it is the most critical investment a community can make,” said Matt Pettit, Chief Operating Officer at Lutheran Downtown Hospital and a Leadership Fort Wayne Alumni. “Fort Wayne is growing. We are seeing revitalization, new business, and a renewed sense of civic pride. But to sustain that momentum, we need leaders who are connected, informed, and deeply passionate about this city. Leadership Fort Wayne takes talented individuals and gives them the context, the network, and the perspective needed to turn good intentions into real, measurable community impact.”

To learn more about the program, please visit leadershipfw.com