Celebrating Servant Leadership in Our Community
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 Leadership Awards: Jill Boggs, Turnstone; Donna Elbrecht, Easterseals Northeast Indiana; and Ashley Wagner, Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana (YLNI)!
Forty-eight nonprofit leaders were nominated for the Leadership Awards. These individuals demonstrate exceptional vision, integrity, innovation, and impact—both within their organizations and across Allen County. The recipients of the Nonprofit Board Member Leadership Award, the Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award, and the Nonprofit Staff Leadership Award were announced at Foellinger Foundation’s Annual Meeting on January 22, 2026.
Nonprofit Board Member Leadership Award
Jill Boggs
Visit Fort Wayne
Board Member, Turnstone
Through her vision and leadership, Jill Boggs has positioned Turnstone and Fort Wayne as premier destinations for adaptive sports. Jill’s dedication draws new events, athletes, and supporters—keeping adaptive sports thriving in Fort Wayne and ensuring our community remains inclusive and welcoming to people of all abilities. Turnstone received a $25,000 unrestricted operating grant.
Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award
Donna Elbrecht
CEO
Easterseals Northeast Indiana
Since becoming CEO in 2010, Donna Elbrecht has transformed Easterseals Northeast Indiana into a model of innovation and stability. She has restructured governance, expanded donor engagement, and redirected resources to mission-driven programs, including teen and transition initiatives, wellness coordination, and an on-site health clinic. Easterseals received a $10,000 grant for Donna’s professional development.
Nonprofit Staff Leadership Award
Ashley Wagner
Market Manager—YLNI Farmers Market
Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana
After nearly a decade volunteering as Market Manager, Ashley Wagner became the Market’s first employee in 2019. She transformed the YLNI Farmers Market into an award-winning community hub and economic driver, expanding access, boosting local business visibility, and increasing community engagement. YLNI received a $10,000 grant for Ashley’s professional development.
“We would like to extend congratulations to the recipients,” said Sarah Strimmenos, Foellinger Foundation President and CEO. “These leaders champion opportunity for Allen County residents, especially those with the greatest economic need and least opportunity. The award recipients demonstrate exceptional vision, integrity, innovation, and impact within their organizations and the broader community.” Organizations that have received a Foellinger Foundation grant within the last five years were eligible to nominate their leaders.
Nonprofit Board Member Leadership Award Nominees
Twenty-three individuals were nominated for this award, which recognizes board members who demonstrate a measurable impact in at least three of four key areas: governance, leadership, financial sustainability, and program impact.
Jill Boggs
Visit Fort Wayne
Board Member, Turnstone
Ian D. Boyce
Dickmeyer Boyce Financial Management
Former Board Chair, Questa
Ian Broad-White
Parkview Health
Former Board President, Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana
Ben Eisbart
Community Volunteer
Board Vice Chair, Neighborhood Health
Sharon Eisbart
Sharon Eisbart Corporate Art
Board Member, Fort Wayne Museum of Art
Dr. Andrea Geyer
University of Saint Francis
Board Chair, Science Central
Lynne Gilmore
Community Volunteer
Board Chair, Alive Community Outreach
Rachel Gumbiner
KCB Consulting Solutions
Board Chair, YWCA Northeast Indiana
Dave Haist
Community Volunteer
Board Chair, Arts United
Jared Helge
Krieg DeVault LLP
Former Board President, Community Transportation Network
Gary Hill
Community Volunteer
Former Board Treasurer, Redemption House
Anthony Juliano
Asher Agency
Former Board Member, Fort Wayne Trails
John Marshall
Linder Oil Company
Board President, Big Brothers Big Sisters
Sarah Noack
Parkview Health
Board Member, Healthier Moms & Babies
Corey Porter
Lincoln Financial
Board Member, The Literacy Alliance
Judy Pursley
Community Volunteer
Board Member, Iris Family Support Center
Dianne Sengstack
Community Volunteer
Board Member, Stillwater Hospice
Stephanny Smith
Indiana Michigan Power
Board President, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre
W. Thomas Smith
Manchester University
Former Board Chair, Embassy Theatre Foundation
Bradley Stinson
North Eastern Group Realty
Board Treasurer, CASS Housing
Matt Streicher
Tippmann Construction
Board Member, Vincent Village
Rachel Tobin-Smith
Community Volunteer
Board Member, Wellspring
Arthur Wilson
YFC USA
Former Board Chair, YFC of Northern Indiana
Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award
Eleven individuals were nominated for this award, which recognizes executives who exemplify adaptive and sustainable leadership.
Phillip Colglazier
Fort Wayne Civic Theatre
Donna Elbrecht
Easterseals Northeast Indiana
Leslie Friedel
Stillwater Hospice
Tony Hudson
Blue Jacket
Reverend Angelo Mante
Alive Community Outreach
Dianne May
Cancer Services
Javier Mondragon
Bridge of Grace
Mike Mushett
Turnstone
Josette Rider
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Dee Szyndrowski
Iris Family Support Center
Paige Wilkins
Healthier Moms & Babies
Nonprofit Staff Leadership Award
Fourteen individuals were nominated for this award, which recognizes staff members who exemplify adaptive and sustainable leadership.
Josefina Cervantes
Community Support Program Manager,
Amani Family Services
Tanya Gallo
Director of Operations,
Humane Fort Wayne
Mary Jo Hardiman
Chief Operating Officer,
Embassy Theatre Foundation
Jennifer Harvey
Career Development Coordinator,
Blue Jacket
Andrew Holderfield
Production Manager/Lighting Designer,
Fort Wayne Civic Theatre
Mary Luderman
Nurse Family Partnership Supervisor,
Healthier Moms & Babies
Miriam Morgan
VP of Operations, COO,
Arts United
Kelli Packnett
Vice President, Education & Engagement,
Bridge of Grace
Eli Rider
Director of Marketing Operations,
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Jennifer Rohlf
Director of Empowerment,
YWCA Northeast Indiana
Yoko Rudolph
Director of Operations and Accounting,
Vincent Village
Mary Shankster
Chief Development Officer,
Stillwater Hospice
Ashley Wagner
Market Manager – YLNI Farmers Market, Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana
Traever Wieland
Ministry Director for Campus Ministries,
YFC of Northern Indiana
Leadership Awards History
Foellinger Foundation has acknowledged the importance of nonprofit leaders through awards since 2006. Known previously as the David A. Bobilya Award from 2019 to 2024 and the Carl D. Rolfsen Stewardship Award from 2006 to 2016, this award has historically recognized the significance of individual board members within nonprofit organizations. In 2025, Foellinger Foundation expanded the award to celebrate not only board members but also executives and staff members, with supporting professional development grants added in direct response to feedback from grantees and partners.
Congratulations to Jill Boggs, Donna Elbrecht, and Ashley Wagner, as well as all Leadership Awards nominees! Your commitment and leadership are making a lasting difference in Allen County.
To learn more about the Leadership Awards, click here.