Recognizing Exemplary Servant Leaders
Andrea Kendall, MLK Montessori School's Board Chair, was recognized as this year's recipient of our David A. Bobilya Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Award. The 17th leadership award ceremony took place on October 23rd, 2024. Congratulations Andrea!
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.
In 2013, Andrea joined the MLK Montessori Board, where she served as board treasurer before becoming board chair in 2015. A role she has held ever since. Andrea has led efforts to expand the school’s program offerings, to diversify and strengthen the organization’s board of directors, and to broaden the educational experiences offered by MLK Montessori. Thank you for being a partner and a champion of opportunity in Allen County.
In 2024, twenty-two individuals were nominated in recognition of their excellence in service to the boards they serve on:
Thank you for your enduring commitment to the nonprofit organizations you serve, and for being champions of opportunity in our community.
Natalie Axel
AMI Investment Management
Board Member, Big Brothers Big Sisters
Tom Boyer
Visit Fort Wayne
Board Chair, Northeast Indiana Public Radio
Kim Carpenter
Hylant Insurance
Board President, SCAN
Dottie Davis
Davis Corporate Training, Inc.
Board Chair, YWCA
Corinna England
Hamil, Lehman & England, PC
Board Member, Crossroad Child & Family Services
Dr. John Fallon
IU Health
Board President, Catholic Charities
Matt Graves
Great Lakes Prefabrication
Board Chair, Bridge of Grace
Kathy Heuer
Community Volunteer
Board Member, Brightpoint
Larry Kay
Fort Wayne Metals
Former Board Chair, Science Central
Lana Keesling
City of Fort Wayne
Board Chair, The League
Andrea Kendall
Chase Bank
Board Chair, MLK Montessori School
Suzon Motz
Community Volunteer
Board Chair, Stillwater Hospice Foundation
Jon Painter
1st Source Bank
Board Member, Community Transportation Network
Rick Phillips
Phillips Financial
Vice Chair, YMCA
Judy Pursley
Community Volunteer
Vice Chair, Fort Wayne Philharmonic
John Rogers
The Rogers Company
Board Chair, Fort Wayne Urban League
Dr. Camille Smith
Fort Wayne Pediatrics
Board Member, GiveHear
Tim Smith
Abundant Executive Living
Board Chair, Youth for Christ
Chuck Surack
Surack Enterprises
Board Chair, Boys & Girls Clubs
Rachel Tobin-Smith
AVOW, Inc.
Board Member, Wellspring Interfaith Social Services
Jim Underwood
Community Volunteer
Board Treasurer, PBS Fort Wayne
Wallace Wetherill
Forvis Mazars
Vice Chair, Matthew 25
Board Treasurer, Vincent Village
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.
