Recognizing Nonprofit Board Leadership
Donnell Miller, Board President of Blue Jacket, was recognized as the 2021 David A. Bobilya Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Award recipient at an award ceremony on October 28, 2021. Congratulations, Donnell!
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.
The 2021 David A. Bobilya Excellence In Nonprofit Leadership Award ceremony
In 2021, twenty-two individuals were nominated in recognition of their excellence in service to the boards they serve on:
Kathleen Alter
Community Foundation of DeKalb County
Past Chair, Fort Wayne Dance Collective
Les Baggett
Dart Distributing retiree
Board Member, UNITY Performing Arts Foundation
Jon Bomberger
Faegre Drinker
Past Chair, Fort Wayne Trails
James Bushey
Bushey’s Windows and Doors
Board Member, Associated Churches
Jeff Cybulski
Unity Sales
Board Chair, Lifeline Youth & Family Services
David Faust
Precision Wire Technologies
Board Chair, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne
Mary Lee Fink
Steel Dynamics retiree
Treasurer, Fort Wayne Philharmonic
Audrey Frison-Robinson
Veterans Administration Northern Indiana Health
Care System
Treasurer, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre
Michael GeRue
Parkview Health
Board Chair, CTN—Community Transportation Network
Steve Grashoff
Peerless Cleaners
Board Chair, Volunteer Center
Randy Grote
Depuy Synthes
Board Vice-Chair, Lutheran Life Villages
Louise Magoon
Caring Connections
Board Member, LTC Ombudsman Program
Donnell Miller
Cablecraft Motion Controls
Board President, Blue Jacket
Tug Pierson
RE/MAX Results
Board Chair, Joshua’s Hand
Judy Pursley
community volunteer
Vice President of Resource Development, SCAN
Mary Anne Roach
Volunteer Lawyer Program of Northeast Indiana
Board Chair, Healthier Moms and Babies
Chris Rupp
Dulin, Ward & DeWald
Treasurer, Turnstone
Matt Stout
BKD CPAs & Advisors
Board President, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana
Jeff Taner
Dulin, Ward & DeWald
Treasurer, YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne
Donna Van Vlerah
Parkview Health
Board Chair, Community Harvest Food Bank
Susan Wesner
Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
Treasurer, Embassy Theatre
Arthur Wilson
Huntington University
Vice Chair, Youth for Christ of Northern Indiana
Congratulations to the 2021 nominees!
The David A. Bobilya Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Award
Thank you to all who were able to join us virtually and in-person to celebrate leadership in our community.