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.