Foellinger Foundation is pleased to announce that 46 nonprofit leaders have been nominated for the 2026 Leadership Awards.
Foellinger Foundation news release:
Foellinger Foundation Announces Leadership Awards Nominees – November 12, 2026
Fort Wayne, Indiana (November 12, 2026) – Foellinger Foundation is pleased to announce that 46 nonprofit leaders who demonstrate exceptional vision, integrity, innovation, and impact within their organizations and the broader Allen County community have been nominated for the Leadership Awards. The recipients of the Nonprofit Board Member Leadership Award, Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award, and Nonprofit Staff Leadership Award will be announced at Foellinger Foundation’s Annual Meeting on January 28, 2027.
Nonprofit Board Member Leadership Award Nominees
Eighteen individuals have been nominated for the Nonprofit Board Member Leadership Award. The Nonprofit Board Member Leadership Award is given to a nonprofit board member who demonstrates impact in at least three of four key areas: governance, leadership, financial sustainability, and program impact. The Nonprofit Board Member Leadership Award recipient’s nominating organization will receive a $30,000 unrestricted operating grant.
- Tom Ackmann, Board Member, Fort Wayne Zoo
- Chris Bauer, Former Board Chair, Crossroad Child & Family Services
- Karen Berggoetz, Board Vice President, Community Transportation Network
- Katie Bergman, Ph.D., Board President, Iris Family Support Center
- Michael Bynum, Former Board Member, Embassy Theatre
- Dustin Crider, Board Treasurer, Stillwater Hospice
- Ronald Duchovic, Ph.D., Board Member, The League
- David Dyer, Board Member, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre
- Heidi Fowler, J.D., Board Chair, Neighborhood Health Clinics
- Chris Gomez, Board Member, Erin’s House
- Dave Haist, Board Chair, Questa Education
- Rick James, Former Board Member, Fort Wayne Philharmonic
- Mike Kelly, Board Member, Fort Wayne Trails
- Carla MacDonald, Ed.D., Board Chair, Cancer Services
- Andrea Robinson, Ph.D., Board Vice Chair, Northeast Indiana Innovation Community
- Monica Senk, Board Member, Boundless Bags
- Wil Smith, Board Chair, Matthew 25
- Mitzi Thomas, Former Board Vice Chair, Youth for Christ
Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award Nominees
Eleven individuals have been nominated for the Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award. The Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award recognizes executives who exemplify adaptive and sustainable leadership. The Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award recipient’s nominating organization will receive a $10,000 professional development grant for the award recipient’s professional development.
- Aisha R. Arrington, President and CEO, Fort Wayne Urban League
- Liz Bushnell, Ph.D., President and CEO, Questa Education
- Tomi Cardin, Founder and CEO, Redemption House
- Justin Clupper, Executive Director, Community Transportation Network
- Andrew Gritzmaker, President and CEO, YMCA
- Caleb Kimmel, Founder and CEO, World Baseball Academy
- Ermina Mustedanagic, CEO, Wellspring Interfaith Social Services
- Lara Schreck, Executive Director, St. Vincent de Paul Society of Fort Wayne
- Jim Sparrow, Executive Director, Fort Wayne Ballet
- Khun Tyke, Executive Director, Myanmar Youth Association
- Kelly Updike, President and CEO, Embassy Theatre
Nonprofit Staff Leadership Award Nominees
Seventeen individuals have been nominated for the Nonprofit Staff Leadership Award. The Nonprofit Staff Leadership Award recognizes a staff member who exemplifies adaptive and sustainable leadership. The Nonprofit Staff Leadership Award recipient’s nominating organization will receive a $10,000 professional development grant for the award recipient’s professional development.
- Kami Alvarado, DVM, Director of Animal Health and Conservation, Fort Wayne Zoo
- Hailie Boes, Director of Development, Habitat for Humanity
- Larisa Burnett, Director of Vincent House, Vincent Village
- Cheryl Dafforn, Senior Director of Administration and Services, Cancer Services
- Sierra Du Bose, Director of Education and Community Impact, Bridge of Grace
- Laura Guerrero, Bereavement Coordinator, Stillwater Hospice
- Jessica Hicks, VP of Community Services, Iris Family Support Center
- James Holm, Director of Community Engagement, Fort Wayne Trails
- Mandie Kolkman, Artistic Director, Fort Wayne Dance Collective
- Cindy Maldonado-Schaefer, Director of Operations, Erin’s House
- Jessica Martin, Director of Operations, Community Transportation Network
- Sarah Neace, Senior Director of Mission Advancement, Neighborhood Health Clinics
- Luz Ostrognai, Immigration Director, Catholic Charities
- Lindsay Platt, Director of Development & Operations, Fort Wayne Children’s Choir
- Lauren Tosland, Director of Marketing and Communications, Matthew 25
- Emily White, Director of Therapy, Turnstone
- Betsy Yankowiak, Director of Camping, Properties, and Restoration, Anthony Wayne Area Council, Scouting America
Click here to learn more about the Leadership Awards.
About Foellinger Foundation
Foellinger Foundation is a private, charitable foundation that invests in organizations, programming, and initiatives that serve Allen County residents with the greatest economic need and least opportunity. The Foundation was created in 1958 by Helene Foellinger, The News-Sentinel publisher from 1936 to 1981, and Esther Foellinger, her mother. Visit www.foellinger.org for more information.
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