The Embassy Theatre is proud to announce that Tommy Smith and Mary Jo Hardiman have been nominated for Foellinger Foundation Leadership Awards.
Fort Wayne Embassy news release:
Foellinger Foundation Leadership Award Nominations
Fort Wayne, Indiana (October 15, 2025) – The Embassy Theatre is proud to announce that Tommy Smith, former Embassy Theatre board chair, and Mary Jo Hardiman, chief operating officer, have been nominated for Foellinger Foundation Leadership Awards.
A total of 48 nonprofit leaders have been nominated for the following: Nonprofit Board Member Leadership Award, Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award, and the Nonprofit Staff Leadership Award. These individuals demonstrate exceptional vision, integrity, innovation and impact—both within their organizations and across Allen County.
Tommy Smith, Embassy former board member and chair (through August 2025), has been nominated for Foellinger Foundation’s Nonprofit Board Member Leadership Award. This 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. Tommy served on the Embassy board from September 1, 2019, through August 31, 2025, and was board chair from 2023-25. He provided thoughtful, engaging and purposeful board leadership to create a new strategic plan, with merger work and accessibility strategies, and in strengthening program review and evaluation processes.
Mary Jo Hardiman has been nominated for the Nonprofit Staff Leadership Award. This honor recognizes a staff member who exemplifies adaptive and sustainable leadership—consistently executing and improving plans based on learning, fostering a positive organizational culture, and actively engaging stakeholders and the broader community. Nominees will be evaluated across four key categories: strategic leadership, organizational culture, community engagement, and professional growth and development. Mary Jo has been COO at the Embassy for seven years. She consistently demonstrates innovation, problem-solving and adaptability, and impact through her leadership during the pandemic and of the Middle Waves music festival, in building a strong culture, and in engaging the community.
The Nonprofit Board Member Award recipient’s nominating organization receives a $25,000 unrestricted operating grant. The Nonprofit Staff Leadership Award recipient’s nominating organization will receive a $3,000 professional development grant for the award recipient’s professional development activities, such as leadership training, coaching, certifications, or educational opportunities that enhance their leadership effectiveness.
The recipients of all three awards will be announced at Foellinger Foundation’s Annual Meeting on January 22, 2026. Learn more about the awards at foellinger.org/leadership-awards.
About the Embassy Theatre
Built in 1928, the Embassy Theatre is Indiana’s largest self-sustaining historic theater. Originally known as the Emboyd, with the adjoining seven-story Indiana Hotel, the majestic movie palace and vaudeville theater introduced Indiana to the biggest stars of stage and screen. Today, the Embassy is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Combining the beauty of a bygone era with the energy and diversity of today’s performers, the Embassy is the showplace of Northern Indiana. Many choose to host events and weddings at the Embassy, as it offers flexibility and a unique event experience in an iconic piece of Fort Wayne history. Visit www.fwembassytheatre.org for more information.
Related Images:
