Who We Are
Leadership Fort Wayne, Inc. was founded in 1983 by the Corporate Council and Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne with seed money from the Lilly Endowment.
The mission of Leadership Fort Wayne is to train, prepare and inspire individuals to positively impact the community through meaningful engagement.
Its core principle is Servant Leadership. The Servant Leader is a servant first. Servant Leadership begins with a natural feeling that one wants to serve. A Servant Leader:
- Seeks to build community among those with whom he/she works.
- Is a visionary who looks at problems with big-picture thinking.
- Is committed to the growth of every individual and nurtures the personal and professional growth of others.
- Possesses a keen awareness of self and the needs and feelings of others.
- Relies on persuasion and relationship building rather than positional authority.
- Holds his/her organization or community in trust for the greater good of society.
- Leads others toward healthy relationships and wholeness.
- Listens receptively to what is, as well as what is not being said.
- Is an empathetic listener.
Leadership Fort Wayne, Inc. achieves its mission and goals through the delivery of several leadership development programs and individual training opportunities:
Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW) is a program designed for a diverse group of adult citizens who have demonstrated their ability to achieve personal goals and have a desire to make a personal commitment to community service. Tuition: $1,500
NE Indiana Nonprofit Alliance (NINA) is a membership organization that serves area nonprofits by providing education focusing on leadership and organizational development as well as resources to help nonprofits improve and strengthen their effectiveness to meet the needs of the community.
Youth Leadership Fort Wayne (YLFW) is a program designed for high school students who are not already in leadership positions but whose potential for leadership has been recognized by the schools and youth organizations that nominate them.
Youth As Resources (YAR) is a youth development program which awards financial support for community service projects that are developed and implemented by youth to address identified community needs.
Leadership Exploration and Development (LEAD) is an introductory leadership program designed for middle school students and facilitated by graduates of Youth Leadership Fort Wayne.
Leadership Fort Wayne offers workshops, retreats, training and consulting services to board and staff members of nonprofit organizations.