Distinguished Leadership Awards
The Community Leadership Association invites member leadership programs to submit the name of one of their graduates to receive national recognition as a recipient of the Distinguished Leadership Award. This award was established to recognize program graduates who have exhibited significant leadership in their communities and who exemplify the spirit and goals for civic involvement and community trusteeship.
Leadership Fort Wayne Graduates recognized as Distinguished Leaders include:
2008 - Clifford Clarke, Class of 2001
Clifford Clarke is the child of West Indian immigrant parents who, through real life lessons, helped instill the values of contemplation, spirituality, character and conservation of material goods and natural resources. Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, Clifford’s appreciation for differences in people began in his diverse neighborhood school. He came to Indiana to attend college at Indiana Institute of Technology where he excelled in data processing and programming languages. Clifford continues to challenge himself by seeking new knowledge, learning new skills and developing his leadership capacities. “I truly enjoy the space where technology and people meet. I enjoy sharing my knowledge of IT security matters, leadership development, project management and change management”
Clifford enjoys working in the community. He has leveraged his zeal for technology and people by mentoring the next generation, board service, and speaking with other leaders on matters of diverse, and economic and community development. Clifford is passionate about Big Brothers Big Sisters where he has served as a big brother, a board member and board president and has served on the boards of Public Radio, United Way and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Clifford is currently the Chief Information and Chief Technology Officer for the City of Fort Wayne where he balances the fiscal responsibilities entrusted to the city by its citizens while meeting their increasing technology expectations.
“Education is an on-going process and I consider myself a life-long learner. Fun, curiosity, progress, professionalism and humility are a few words that guide me. In the end, I hope to give more than I take from this world.”
2007 - Tracie Martin, Class of 1988
Tracie Martin embodies the spirit of servant leadership in both her professional and personal ventures. She is currently employed at WANE-TV where she is responsible for identifying community needs, developing programming that address those needs, and identifies collaborators to help bring the projects to fruition.
Tracie has served on multiple community boards, including her current tenure on the board of the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne. She is a mentor and a friend through her role as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters. She has a long history with the Junior League of Fort Wayne where she served as president and in numerous other leadership capacities.
It is her commitment to Erin’s House for Grieving Children where Tracie has made her greatest impact. The center is named after Erin Farragh who died suddenly at the age of six. Her death left a deep void in the lives of her family and friends and there were no support resources available for her young siblings. Tracie spearheaded the effort to found a center for grieving children and has been devoted to the organization since it opened in 1993. She has served as interim executive director and on the board of directors, and has been a group facilitator for 13 years. She nurtures and supports the organization, which surely would not exist without her dedication.
2006 - Sister Elise Kriss, Class of 1988
Though she admits to being a guitar-strumming, folk-singing nun, she is hardly afraid to be a visionary and entrepreneurial leader, and to take stands and do the right thing. Sister Elise Kriss has served as President of the University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, Indiana since 1993. Saint Francis College was a “sleepy little college” when Sister Elise took office. Enrollment at the time was 950 students. Today it exceeds 2000. She guided the college through difficult times—absorbing the defunct Lutheran College of Health Professions, transforming from a regional college to an international university, undertaking $30-million-plus building program that shows no signs of abating, and forming the city’s first intercollegiate football program. What Sister Elise values most as the university president is the opportunity and honor she has every day to relate with staff, faculty, students and community leaders. As Sister Elise says, “It’s God’s work we’re doing here at St. Francis. You think of all the good that has come through the kids who have come through here.”
2005 - Geoffrey M. Randolph, M. D., Class of 1988
Dr. Geoffrey Randolph exemplifies the true meaning of servant leadership by his compassion and dedication that has touched thousands of lives both locally and internationally. He has shared his expertise in reconstructive surgery as a volunteer surgeon with Operation Smile, correcting cleft lips and palates in China, Vietnam and Ecuador, as well as with Medical Missions International in the Dominican Republic. His local efforts are equally notable. He established and co-directs the Kids First Cleft and Craniofacial Clinic, is a volunteer teacher at the University of St Francis Physician Assist program and the Indiana University Medical School, and served as president of Lutheran Hospital Medical Staff and as a spokesperson on medical issues for PBS television and public radio. Dr. Randolph is a gifted musician whose talents benefited the Literacy Alliance when he composed and produced an original musical “Isn’t It Incredible” as a fund raiser. Monthly, he visits elementary schools to perform original children’s music that encourages literacy and supports art education. The Fort Wayne Rotary Foundation presented him with a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of his humble and tireless efforts to help others and improve their lives.
2004 - Nelson Coats, Class of 1997
Nelson has served his northeast Indiana hometown as a servant leader, exhibiting compassion for others, personal humility, and vision for what can be. Over the past ten years, he has shared his experience and expertise in a variety of ways with the local United Way where he has been part of the reinvention team to improve the organization and has chaired its Community Investment Cabinet. Many other nonprofit organizations have been blessed with his quiet leadership, including the LFW Board of Directors and the LFW Alumni Association. His community efforts have been recognized with achievement awards by United Way and the Indiana CPA Society. Nelson is thoughtful, well-spoken, and so obviously committed to the betterment of the community, that he naturally attracts and inspires loyal and committed followers.
2003 - Donna Emley, Class of 1999
Donna Emley’s community service demonstrates an individual committed to initiating positive change and leading the way to a better future for the community. Since her experience in the leadership program, Donna has embraced LFW’s core principle of Servant Leadership and has incorporated 21st Century leadership skills in every aspect of her life. Intense and committed to everything she engages in, Donna has served this community and given graciously of her time and talent to make Fort Wayne a better place. As principle and creative director of Emley Design Group, her creative energy is evident not only in her commercial work but in the numerous pro bono efforts that benefit nonprofit organizations. She gives back to the community in many ways, most especially by inspiring and encouraging emerging leaders and willingly sharing her leadership knowledge, skills and capabilities with others.
2002 - Becky Hill, Class of 1991
The hope that drives Becky Hill, executive director of the YWCA is that violence is not a normal way of life. She believes that children are born into this world as gentle people but as a result of abuse, neglect, ignorance and violence in their lives, they often become violent adults. Her true passion is to work within organizations to improve the systems which help children and families in the issues of violence, abuse and racism and to help others take ownership of new ideas that lead to a better reality. Through her co-founding of Health Families of Allen County and her leadership with the Martin Luther King Montessori School, the YWCA’s Domestic Violence Services, and in the area of racism, Becky continues to learn and work with optimism and hope for a more peaceful community. Becky is the recipient of the Allen County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award and the Fort Wayne Women’s Bureau Women to Celebrate Award.
2001 - Julie Inskeep, Class of 1991
Julie Inskeep is a Fort Wayne native and the publisher of the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette where she is able to put her profile to excellent use as a community trustee. After graduating from Indiana University, she became director of social services at Lutheran Hospital and served as board president of Three Rivers Neighborhood Health Services. Later, when she joined the editorial board of The Journal-Gazette, she wanted to be a voice for people who are powerless and to continue her commitment to community services that help people help themselves. Julie’s leadership style is keenly insightful, thoughtful, and direct. She is never afraid to take a stand in support of doing the right thing. She has served in leadership positions on the boards United Way of Allen County, Community Partnerships, the Fort Wayne Community Foundation, and the Allen County Preservation Trust as well as Parkview Hospital, ARC Foundation, Crossroad, Lutheran Hospital Foundation, and SCAN. She is the recipient of an Outstanding Alumni Award from South Side High School.
2000 - Irene Walters, Class of 1992
Irene Walters exemplifies the spirit of civic involvement and community trusteeship. Under her direction, the Fort Wayne Bicentennial Celebration Council activated thousands of volunteers and raised thousands of dollars for community-wide Lasting Legacy improvement projects and neighborhood beautification programs, impressive entrance markers to the city, and a variety of community celebrations. The following Celebration 2000 effort produced additional Lasting Legacy projects as well as a community-wide visioning and strategic planning effort. She has been a champion for a myriad of causes including cancer education and early detection, services for the disabled, women’s issues, domestic violence, and the arts. She was instrumental in Fort Wayne’s selection as an All-American City by the National Civic League. She willingly shares her limitless energy and enthusiasm, dedication and creativity to make her community the best it can be and to leave it a better place for future generations, and to be a catalyst for others’ involvement. She is the recipient of the Helen R. Foellinger Woman of Achievement Award.
1999 - Sharon Banks, Class of 1989
Dr. E. Sharon Banks has, as an educator, administrator, servant leader, mother, wife, and friend, touched the lives and spirits of thousands in ways even she is not aware. Everyone can name at lease one person who has had an enormous impact in the development of their character and Sharon Banks is one whose impact will continue long after her direct association with them. Her influence has known no boundaries of race, age, gender, religious affiliation, education or social standing. Her excellence in the field of education has been recognized locally and on the state and national levels. She challenges teachers to be their best and encourages parents to be involved with their children. She serves as a role model for young people, always encouraging, motivating and inspiring them and promoting a positive attitude about life and work. She embodies civic responsibility and has the unique ability to build trust and develop a high level of cooperation within diverse groups of people.
1997 - Sherwood Smith, Class of 1985
Dr. Sherwood Smith combined a technical management career with the Magnavox Corporation with extensive involvement and service to the community. He held leadership positions on the boards of Science Central, the Fort Wayne Zoological Society, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre, and ARCH and was a member of the Industrial Advisory Committee for IPFW’s Engineering Department. When Leadership Fort Wayne was chosen to be part of the Indiana Leadership Initiative, he volunteered to serve as the lead volunteer and provided wise counsel and guidance to LFW’s executive director. He has been honored by the Pennsylvania State University School of Earth and Mineral Sciences as a Centennial Fellow for his contributions to industry and his community.
1996 - Marilyn Moran Townsend, Class of 1983
What is the difference between an ordinary oyster and one containing a pearl? One got irritated. This irritation led Marilyn Moran Townsend as board chair to reinvent the United Way of Allen County. It resulted in a new inclusiveness process, an Urban Child Care Initiative, a Youth Violence and Families in Crisis Initiative, Donor Designation, Agency and Labor Agreements, a record $6.2 million campaign, and a commitment to “10 (million) by the Turn” (of the century). Marilyn is a past chair of the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce and was the first woman to lead the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. She has been honored as Indiana’s Small Business Person of the Year, Indiana’s Woman Entrepreneur of the Year and as the Helen R. Foellinger Woman of Achievement.
1995 - James Johnston, Class of 1983
Jim Johnston is a community trustee and a leader who has given freely and unselfishly of his time and talents for the good of the community. President and director of Fort Wayne National Bank and then National City Bank, Jim’s active involvement spans over 25 years and his contributions have been numerous and significant, including service and leadership on the boards of the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Allen County, the Fort Wayne Zoological Society, Junior Achievement, Arts United and many of its member organizations, and the Mad Anthonys which raises thousands of charity dollars annually.
1986 - Steve Corona, Class of 1983
Steve Corona exemplifies the community leader who makes continuous, impressive contributions in several fields over a period of years. He has served with distinction as a news reporter for a local television station, as director of the local job training program, which under his leadership is getting increasingly impressive results, as a member of the Fort Wayne Community Schools board, as a leader in the Mexican-American community, and as a volunteer in a variety of cultural and educational organizations. He is an active alumnus of Leadership Fort Wayne and a board member. His interest in fostering emerging leaders and including non-traditional leaders in the program in addition to his excellent contributions to its content are certainly one of the assets of Leadership Fort Wayne.