The Lilly Endowment Inc. keeps pouring into leaders, and Michelle Love thinks she has more she could pour out, too.
The private foundation last week announced a new training program app the Lilly Scholars Network Academy app and Love is among a short list of people with northeast Indiana ties who will benefit.
The inaugural class has 23 people who have appdemonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and service within their communities,app a news release said.
Love is a partner and an operations and account manager at One Lucky Guitar Inc., helping clients with communications and strategy development.
From Allen County, Staci Kaczmarek, clinical manager of Super Shot Inc., will join Love in the inaugural academy program. And from Wells County, Heather Larr, a senior business analyst with Lincoln Financial Group, was selected.
Already, Love is a leader for both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.
She has children who are active in 4-H, and so Love volunteers with that. Sheapps been on the Allen County Fairgrounds board nearly 20 years, currently serving as secretary. And sheapps director of the Miss Allen County Queen program, which is done in conjunction with the fair.
appI have a problem like most people in that I just have a hard time saying no,app Love said in an interview this week.
And the Lilly Scholars Network seems to hope people like Love will find new ways to serve, to say yes.
During the course of eight months, October through May next year, the LSN Academy will provide participants opportunities to enhance their leadership skills, expand their networks and engage with critical issues facing Indiana, the news release said.
The program will focus on five key themes app economy and innovation, education, environment, public health and quality of life. The inaugural LSN Academy Class will travel around the state to explore these topics from urban, suburban and rural perspectives.
appWe are thrilled to welcome this exceptional group of Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to the inaugural LSN Academy,app Molly Chavers, the Academy moderator, said in a statement. appThese individuals have already made significant contributions to their communities, and we are confident that they will emerge from this program as even stronger and more effective leaders.app
So, maybe this first class of participants will find new opportunities to serve or just continue to grow in the leadership positions they already hold.
The new academy is exclusively for alums of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which works with foundations statewide to provide tuition for students attending accredited colleges and universities in Indiana. Graduates are encouraged to then pursue careers within the state.
Love is a 2007 University of Notre Dame graduate. Sheapps also on the board of the universityapps Alumni Club in Fort Wayne.
She pauses when asked how she might expand her volunteer efforts or leadership roles, and then gives credit to her employer. Along with scheduling flexibility, Love said One Lucky Guitar appreally encourages us to be active in our community.app
The Lilly organization isnappt disclosing the number of applicants it had for the academy, Bryana Schreiber, LSN program director, said through email.
The Academy is offered at no cost to the participants, but they are responsible for committing to participating in the full eight-month program. Participants also cover the cost of their travel to and from the program days, and the time investment is one they seek a commitment from their employers to engage in, she said.
app LFW training
Leadership Fort Wayne, a leadership development program, announced this month that applications are being accepted for its 2025 cohort.
The program is designed to appequip and empower participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive meaningful and lasting change within the Allen County community,app a news release said.
The nine-month program includes keynote speakers, panel discussions, general leadership training and personal assessments to help participants understand and enhance their leadership style and strengths.
Leadership Fort Wayne participants also visit nonprofit organizations and engage in hands-on projects. The program also allows participants to serve a six to 12-month internship on a local nonprofit board.
Tuition costs generally start at $2,500 for individuals accepted for the program. Details are available online at . Oct. 21 is the application deadline.
Leadership Fort Wayne started in 1983 and in 2014 merged with Greater Fort Wayne Inc., the local chamber alliance. To date, Leadership Fort Wayne has graduated more than 1,500 people. Iappm one of those alums.
To share a thought, a favorite quote or other wisdom about leadership, email Lisa Green at lisagreen@jg.net. Lead On also appears online as a blog at .
