Honoring Excellence in Board Service
Linda Jackson, Board Chair of Erin’s House, was recognized as the 2023 David A. Bobilya Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Award recipient at a ceremony on September 27, 2023. Congratulations, Linda!
Foellinger Foundation established the David A. Bobilya Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Award to recognize the importance of individual board members in nonprofit organizations. Each year, this award is given to an Allen County nonprofit board member who exemplifies four focus areas: governance, leadership, financial sustainability, and program impact.
The award recipient’s nominating organization receives a $25,000 operating grant. Foellinger Foundation’s board of directors created this award in honor of the late David A. Bobilya, a long-term servant leader not only to Foellinger Foundation, but many nonprofit organizations throughout Allen County.
Mr. Bobilya exemplified the character of leadership, providing strength and wisdom for many of Foellinger Foundation’s efforts. He served the Foundation for 16 years in various roles and was board chair from 2011 to 2014.
In 2023, twenty-eight individuals were nominated in recognition of their excellence in service to the boards they serve on:
Jared Baker
Burt, Blee, Dixon, Sutton & Bloom
Vice Chair, Fort Wayne Dance Collective
John Barce
Barrett McNagny
Board Chair, NeighborLink
Catherine Beasley
Community Volunteer
Board Chair, The Brandon Foundation
Tom Beaver
Community Volunteer
Board Member, Alive Community Outreach
Bill Becker
Pro Resources Staffing
Board Member, Big Brothers Big Sisters
Dana Berkes
NIPSCO
Board Chair, PBS Fort Wayne
John Christensen
Loyola Press
Board Chair, Vincent Village
Kelly Clevenger
Phillips Financial
Board Member, Turnstone
Joe Cohen
Barrett McNagny
Board Chair, Easterseals Arc
Ron Dick
Design Collaborative
Former Board Chair, Artlink
Dawn Gallaway
Keller Development
Board Chair, CASS Housing
Brenda Gerber Vincent
Greater Fort Wayne, Inc.
Board Member, The Carriage House
Jonathan Hancock
Canterbury School
Vice Chair, Fort Wayne Philharmonic
Malak Heiny
City of Fort Wayne
Board Secretary, Amani Family Services
Linda Jackson
WPTA 21Alive
Board Chair, Erin’s House
Jenny King
Lake City Bank
Board Member, Audiences Unlimited
David Leininger
Star Financial Bank
Board Chair, Community Transportation Network
Mitch McKinney
Fort Wayne Police Department
Former Board Member, Fort Wayne Children’s Choir
Max A. Myers
Perry Law Office
Board Chair, Lutheran Military Veterans
Julie Nill
Effectv
Board Member, Cancer Services
Larry Reed
Community Volunteer
Board Chair, Stillwater Hospice
Tom Rhoades
Community Volunteer
Board Chair, Lasting Change
Kathy Roudebush
Board Brilliant
Board Member, Humane Fort Wayne
Ashley Savieo
American Electric Power
Board Member, Science Central
Sam Schenkel
Lassus Brothers Oil
Board Member, Rescue Mission
Dave Wilkins
Perfusion Technology Services
Board Chair, Character & Skills Basketball
Wil Smith
Smith & Associates Consulting
Vice Chair, Headwaters Counseling
Marshall Weadick
Lake City Bank
Board Secretary and Treasurer, SCAN
Thank you for your enduring commitment to the nonprofit organizations you serve, and for being champions of opportunity in our community.