Valparaiso Magazine - Winter 2021

CHAMBER FOCUS | LEADERSHIP ACADEMY 2020
>> CH
I feel more prepared
to lead and am further
connected to my city
by investing my
resources in the
Leadership Academy.
Robert Bober
Edward Jones
I am grateful to the
Chamber for the
opportunity. I learned
a lot about myself as a
leader, about our
community and got
to know some great
up and coming leaders.
Katherine Cortes
Teachers Credit Union
It was a pleasure to
be part of the Valpo
Chamber Leadership
Academy. I enjoyed
meeting new people
who are and will be
great leaders for
the Community.
Cynthia Fortenberry
St. Mary Medical Center
As a newcomer to Valpo,
it gave me a chance to
get a more well-rounded
understanding of the
community. I learned
practical ideas that
I’m already using with
our team.
Lynda Gravier
Housing Opportunities
I learned Valparaiso,
and the surrounding
areas, have so many
hidden gems and
amazing leaders
working behind the
scenes to build a
thriving community.
Christina Serrano
HealthLinc, Inc.
Leadership Academy 2020
The Valpo Chamber Leadership Academy is
a collaborative effort meant to provide a
growing leadership pool of willing and
able leaders and volunteers for current and
future civic, charitable, and governmental
organizations in Valparaiso.
The Leadership Academy program, with the
assistance of Purdue Extension – Porter County,
brings together business and community
leaders to create a network of speakers and
mentors who participate in coaching sessions,
small-group discussions, and skill-building
exercises with the program participants.
Admission to the program is for Valpo
Chamber members only and participants
must have the full support of their employers.
The Leadership Academy is not just about
training. From day one, participants are
encouraged to find their passion for service
and act on it. The Academy’s dynamic
curriculum not only exposes participants to
pressing community issues, but also introduces
them to key community leaders.
20 VALPARAISO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021