At a recent ceremony, 56 exceptional individuals graduated from the Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW) program 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.”
