The Board of Directors is the governing body of YLNI. Their big-picture approach is to guide the organization to fulfill our mission. The day-to-day happenings include approving activities, securing funding, being advocates for our demographic and generally trying to figure out what we're doing. The board meets once a month and all members welcome your input. Have a question or comment for the board? They can be reached at the emails below or at board@ylni.org.
Meet the current YLNI Board of Directors:
President: Heather Schoegler.
Heather, a B.A. graduate of IPFW and MSOL graduate of Indiana Tech, is the Director of Communications for Parkview Foundation. Active in the community, Heather also serves on the advisory council of AB417 and is a volunteer and board member for Junior Achievement. Heather was born & raised in Fort Wayne, although took a few minor detours along the way. Committed to seeing our community be successful, Heather served on the 2009 All-America City marketing committee and on a planning committee for the region's 2020 vision. A 2007 YLNI Leadership Institute grad and 2008 Future 40 award recipient, Heather has been active in YLNI since the summer of 2005. Her past involvement includes serving as VP of Marketing, co-chairing the Downtown Development Committee, serving on the YLNI the VOTE committee and helping to plan Speed Networking events, Sports & Spirits, and the Harrison Square Forum. In her free time, she can be found spending time with her husband and daughter. You'll often find them taking in a local sporting event or concert—especially anything happening in downtown.
Vice President: Mike King.
Mike works in sales at Aptera Software downtown, and has been there almost as long as he's been married and participating in YLNI – 2005 was a big year for him! He grew up in Fort Wayne, and left long enough to get his business degree from the Bloomington campus of Indiana University in 2001. He also spent a couple of years working outside of Fort Wayne. Mike has been very active with YLNI's programming efforts. His foray into YLNI began with the Leadership Institute, and he has been passionate about it ever since. Mike also helped lead business-oriented programs like YLNI's CEO Experience and Business Round Table. He is currently in his second year on the board. Outside of YLNI, Mike is in his third year as a Lunch Buddy for Big Brothers Big Sisters. He has also participated with events benefitting the American Cancer Society and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Mike has two adorable young kids with his wife, Julie. He loves being a dad and spending time with his growing family.
Secretary: Wendy Stein.
Wendy is a Partner in Stein Advertising, a long-running, local family business. Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Wendy graduated from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and loves college sports, especially watching Michigan win. She also enjoys playing cards and board games and someday hopes to take up napping. Wendy is very active in the community including involvement with the Junior League of Fort Wayne, Leadership Fort Wayne class of 2004, and previously volunteered and co-chaired the North River Now Task Force. In regards to YLNI, Wendy is a founding member and a past president. She has been actively involved with communications and marketing, YLNI the VOTE and the board development task force.
Treasurer: Lisa Updike.
Lisa has an undergraduate degree in finance from Manchester College and her J.D. from Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis. She practices in finance, insolvency and restructuring department and business department at Barnes & Thornburg LLP. A Huntington native, Lisa is an avid traveler and enjoys being outdoors and active. Lisa has served as treasurer for YLNI since 2008. Outside of YLNI, Lisa serves as chair of the Allen County Bar Association's Public Relations Committee, is a member of Inns of Courts, serves on the advisory board for the Manchester Magazine and judges for the Sterling Sentinel Scholarship program.
V.P. of Community Involvement: Sam Graves.
Sam is a project manager, estimator, and shareholder at Strahm Group, a local interior contracting company. Born, raised and currently residing in New Haven, Sam has a strong attachment to Northeast Indiana and its success, including receiving his undergraduate degree in Business from IPFW. Sam enjoys participating in the United Way "Real Men Read" program, along with reading to his own 4-year-old boy and girl twins and 1-year-old daughter. His favorite activities center around food and beverages, including family dinners and enjoying local restaurants and bands with his wife Molly, when they're able to secure the grandparents as babysitters! Sam's involvement in YLNI includes previously serving on the Membership Committee, a repeat chair for the Masquerade Ball Committee, volunteering at the Barr Street Market, and graduating from the YLNI Leadership Institute.
V.P. of Leadership Development: Katy Silliman
Katy Silliman is the primary 'cat herder' for the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, as the Operations Manager for the organization. A Fort Wayne native, Katy graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota and then left to join the Peace Corps, where she served as a Peace Corps volunteer for two and a half years in the Community Health and AIDS Prevention Program in Togo, West Africa. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Fort Wayne Women's Bureau, and the Fort Wayne Dance Collective and was a member of the 2009 Leadership Fort Wayne class. Katy became involved in YLNI through the Leadership Institute task force in 2008 prior to her position on the board. As a first time homeowner in Fort Wayne's historic West Central Neighborhood, she is also now experiencing the joys and financial heartburn of remodeling. Go downtown living! Aside from slowly learning the art of not over-committing, Katy also enjoys playing soccer, ultimate frisbee and working up the nerve for another triathlon.
V.P. of Marketing: Amy Johnson
Amy is the Director of Selection for Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, where she interned while working toward a Purdue University degree. She grew up in Fort Wayne, and jumped into YLNI in June of 2005 after graduation. Amy has a varied background with the organization, from chairing the Membership Committee to serving as Membership VP, participating in the first Leadership Institute as well as its task force, planning Speed Networking for Downtown Development, volunteering at the Barr Street Market, planning General Membership Meetings and frequenting Hot Spots. Like Katy, Amy hasn’t learned the art of not over-committing, and absolutely loves her involvement with church, Junior League Fort Wayne, and the Board of the Fort Wayne Women’s Bureau. Beyond community involvement, she enjoys family, friends and food, and sneaks in reading and running when possible.
V.P. of Membership: Tamesha Fikes
Tamesha is a Bank Sales manager for Salin Bank. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Public Financial Management from Indiana University. She also holds her MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. She enjoys spending time with her family and being involved with her children. She likes reading, singing, and is very passionate about helping retain young people in the Northeast Indiana area. Tamesha is also an advocate for young professionals helping make our community a better place by staying involved with different organizations.
V.P. of Social Programming: Emily McCabe.
Emily McCabe was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida and graduated from Florida State University in 2008. After graduation, Emily moved to Fort Wayne to pursue a job with Vera Bradley and is currently a Special Collection-Merchandise Analyst there. Emily has been active in YLNI since the summer of 2008 participating in the High-Speed Networking event, Hot Spots, Get on Board events, and is a 2009 Leadership Institute Graduate. In addition to her community involvement with YLNI, Emily is also a member of Junior League Fort Wayne. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Director at Large: Andrew Thomas.
Andrew is the VP of Sales for Ridge NAPA Auto Parts and the owner of 816 Pint & Slice in downtown Fort Wayne. As a third generation business owner, Andrew brings a unique perspective of having historical, current and future views of the pros and cons of doing business in our community. A graduate of Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, Andrew understands the wants and needs of the 20s and 30s professional. Andrew has been instrumental in the forming and developing of YLNI. He previously served as President of YLNI.
Director at Large: Beth Bobay
Beth is a graduate of Indiana University and is employed as an Account Executive at Lincoln Printing. She has been involved with YLNI for nearly five years by serving on the Masquerade Ball committee and Hot Spot task force. Beth is a Fort Wayne native who is excited to further work to make Northeast Indiana a great place for young people to work and have fun. Speaking of fun - she enjoys spending her extra time with family and friends.
Director at Large: Mike Kanning
Mike was born and raised in Fort Wayne, and holds a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Indiana University. His professional focus is Information Technology, and he manages the desktop services group at Lutheran Health Network. Mike was the founding President of YLNI and has been active since its inception in 2005, participating in marketing, communications, Leadership Institute planning and regularly socializing at Hot Spots. Mike is enthusiastically involved in the community, having served as Technical Judge for the First Lego League Robotics tournament, been a Board member and coach for St. Joe Soccer, a participant in Leadership Fort Wayne class of 2006, and presently serves on the IPFW Alumni Association Board of Directors. For fun, he plays Frisbee with the Fort Wayne Ultimate Club and enjoys spending weekends during the summer at Snow Lake (after popping in at the Barr Street Market, of course).
Director at Large: Michael Barranda
Michael is a graduate of The University of Notre Dame and Loyola University Chicago School of Law. As an attorney with Murphy Law Group, he practices civil litigation, concentrating in the defense of professional malpractice and general liability claims. Michael has served as a jack of all trades for YLNI. Although his passion is the continued development of the urban core of Ft. Wayne, he has also lent his efforts towards grant-writing, YLNI's 2020 Vision and advocating for the interests of the YLNI demographic. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce and is the Secretary of the Notre Dame Club of Ft. Wayne. He is the father of two and the husband of a loving and understanding wife.
