Leadership Awards History
Foellinger Foundation has acknowledged the importance of nonprofit leaders through awards since 2006. Known previously as the David A. Bobilya Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership 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 incorporate additional recognitions for CEO and staff members, along with supporting professional development grants, in response to feedback from grantees and partners regarding the demand and need for these opportunities.
Join us in celebrating all previous recipients’ incredible contributions to Allen County nonprofit organizations!
Previous Award Recipients
Andrea Kendall, MLK Montessori, 2024*
Linda Jackson, Erin’s House, 2023*
Gail Doran, Super Shot, 2022*
Donnell Miller, Blue Jacket, 2021*
Zach Sauder, Boys & Girls Clubs, 2020*
Thomas Kimbrough, YMCA, 2019*
George Bartling, Fort Wayne Youtheatre, 2016†
Linda Buskirk, Audiences Unlimited, 2015††
Michael Limmer, Habitat for Humanity, 2015††
Imogene Nusbaum-Snyder, Fort Wayne Rescue Mission, 2014†
Todd Fleetwood, CANI, 2013†
Jack Dyer, Boys & Girls Clubs, 2012†
Frances Ganaway, The League, 2011†
Dave Gutting, Blue Jacket, 2010†
Steve Hoffman, Cornerstone Youth Center, 2009†
Jan Wilhelm, Embassy Theatre, 2008†
Michael Mastrangelo, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, 2007†
Gary Yarger, Goodwill Industries, 2006†
*David A. Bobilya Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Award Recipient
†Carl D. Rolfsen Stewardship Award Recipient
††In 2015, in honor of the tenth anniversary of the Carl D. Rolfsen Stewardship Award, the Foellinger Board approved two Award recipients and grants.
About David A. Bobilya
David 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.
About Carl D. Rolfsen
Upon the creation of Foellinger Foundation in 1958, Helene Foellinger personally selected Carl to serve as the Foundation’s first President/CEO. He also served on the board of directors from 1981 through 2005, and led the strategic planning process that resulted in the identification of our four family values: integrity, responsibility, accountability, and results.
About Ernest E. Williams
Ernie Williams became a reporter at The News-Sentinel early in Helene Foellinger’s tenure as publisher. He became the editor in 1966 and worked closely with Helene throughout their careers. He retired from the position in 1982, one year after Helene retired.
Lecture History
From 2000 to 2018, as a reflection of its commitment to leadership development, Foellinger Foundation hosted the Williams Lecture Series, an annual lecture featuring national speakers sharing their perspectives on community leadership, effective philanthropy, and organizational effectiveness.
Foellinger Foundation hosted an in-depth workshop after each lecture as an opportunity for invited nonprofits to explore the topic in more depth. Participants were then eligible to submit a grant request for funds to implement the ideas from the lecture and workshop. More than 70 grants were awarded, totaling over $775,000.
Previous Speakers and Topics
Stephen Carter, Civility
Colburn S. Wilbur, Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness
Irma Tyler Wood, The Paradoxes of Change and their Implications for Leaders in the Allen County Community
Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point
Berit Lakey, A Powerful Lesson in the Art of Board Governance
Bob Harrington, Strategic Restructuring: Mergers and Partnerships of Nonprofit Organizations
David Pearce Snyder, Living and Working in Revolutionary Times: An Instant Pre-Play of the Next 10 Years in America
Peter Brinckerhoff, Generations: The Challenge of a Lifetime for Your Nonprofit
Tom McLaughlin, Horses, Triple Peaks, and the C.O.R.E.: Tools for Tough Times
Lee Cockerell, Lessons in Leadership: Creating a Winning Culture for Your Nonprofit
Vernetta Walker, Transformative Governance
Steve Zimmerman, Nonprofit Sustainability
Mark Fernandes, Values-Based Leadership
John Baldoni, MOXIE: The Secret to Bold and Gutsy Leadership
Rob Karwath, Speak Your Peace