Profession: Co-CEO of Patchables
City of Birth: Flourence, South Carolina

What does “being innovative” mean to you?
It means seeing a problem and using your personal and unique abilities to solve it. I also think it’s the act of being a creative problem solver and impacting on others.

How would you describe great leadership?
I think great leadership is about being a part of a team and appreciating their skills and acknowledging how they make you better and also sharing that favor back. I think leaders are path builders who leave road signs for others.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Fail fast, learn, and try again.

What currently motivates you?
I am motivated by the fact that I know I have so much potential, and I know I’m gonna do impactful things because I’m an impactful person.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
I’m excited that I get to make my home the backbone of my innovation journey and how as I grow, I can come back here as an innovation hot spot.

Profession: Owner, Inventory, Founder of Lounge N Lax and LNL Foundation/ Clerk at USPS
City of Birth: Gary

What does "being innovative" mean to you?
It means that my creativity, thoughts, invention, and designs are making a difference in society.

How would you describe great leadership? Great leadership to me is when one can guide, lead, or influence a group or organization successfully.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
For me to start a non-profit organization as well as my profit company, because a part of my products are designed for children with cancer. I could profit as well as give back.

What currently motivates you?
Knowing that I am creating and making a difference in the world motivates me. My children also always motivate me to achieve highly in life. They are watching and I am their leader, captain, and role model.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
It seems that people are showing and making moves to start businesses and to invent products. This may have happened in the past, but more people are bringing their ideas to light now. I am pleased that more people in the Northwest IN area are sharing their innovative ideas that can make our area a success and put us on the map as well as other popular regions.

Profession: Marketing
City of Birth: La Porte

What does "being innovative" mean to you? Always pushing the status quo.

How would you describe great leadership? Create and execute a vision by leading with integrity, compassion, resilience, and purpose.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Be happy, be humble, and know your worth.

What currently motivates you?
Everyone around me. My team, family, and friends.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
Seeing innovative partnerships for the betterment of the quality of life across the region.

Profession: Marketing/Event Coordination
City of Birth: Valparaiso

What does “being innovative” mean to you? Being innovative to me is stepping out from the straight road to look for alternatives to accomplish new growth opportunities, solve current issues, or create a better, more diverse world. Traditionally, innovation is thought of as technological advances, but it is so much more. Fixing your eyes on the things that impact many people, small or large, and dedicating time to make adjustments to them, in turn, get a better result is what it is all about.

How would you describe great leadership? Great leadership is allowing others to grow while steering them in a direction that ultimately leads to the accomplishment of the group's goals. A great leader allows for a little bit of straying. Whether that be from the conversation, the main objective, they allow for individuals to be individual. This is what leads to growth, to connection and to the reason that people continue to wake up every morning excited to be involved with that particular leader.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
"Don't become a statistic." For as long as I can remember my dad always told us that whenever we left the house. I never thought too hard on it, but he held a lot of love and anxiety about the world in just those four words. He has always been grounded in nature and a calm force despite the ease as to which it is to be the opposite.

What currently motivates you?
I want to impact the region. I think that Northwest Indiana is at a turning point and the people that have come before us have laid an amazing foundation, but how do we build on that? I strive to be someone with integrity that people trust and rely on for years to come.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
I am most excited about the major investments. Northwest Indiana is at a point where it is no longer the tiny corner of the state "an hour away from Chicago & has a lot of corn". NWI has turned the page and is set up to become the next Indianapolis with talent choosing to stay and businesses joining in investment every single year. This is such a great time to be alive in Northwest Indiana!

Profession: CEO- Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
City of Birth: East Chicago

What does "being innovative" mean to you? Innovation is the catalyst for meaningful change. It is being relentless in the pursuit for a new solution to an old problem.

How would you describe great leadership? Great leadership is helping others become great leaders. Everyone’s journey is different, but everyone must be a leader at some point in their life. Great leaders help those around them develop their skill set.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
If you never ask, you’ll never get a yes.

What currently motivates you?
My personal mission is to make Northwest Indiana a better place today than it was yesterday.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
Every day I meet people creating change. Every day I meet people interested in collaboration. Every day I meet inspiring leaders. The Region is resilient. I can’t wait to see where we go from here.

Profession: Sales & Marketing
City of Birth: East Chicago

What does "being innovative" mean to you? Creative and bold enough to bring attention and potential change to new and/or existing policies, ideas, and environments.

How would you describe great leadership? Courageous and transparency

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Continue to trust in God and treat people and circumstances with equality and fairness.

What currently motivates you?
Achievement and accomplishments regardless of circumstances and/or obstacles.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
Progressive improvements in infrastructure and housing

Profession: Co-Ceo of Patchables
City of Birth: Hobart

What does “being innovative” mean to you? Being Innovative means not just having the thought to fix something but acting on it. It's not just knowing the problem exists but pursuing it to fix it. It’s not just looking to the future; it is being the future.

How would you describe great leadership?
I would describe great leadership as making people empowered to do something that doesn't just benefit them but everyone around them. Leadership is being there even when it's difficult and putting on a smile and continually putting smiles together. No matter the job, the relation between the employe and the employer should be mutually beneficial.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
"Let others be your lessons in life, take qualities you dislike and dissolve them, take qualities you appreciate and strive towards them." ~Chris Conner.

"Everyone has something that you could learn from them, if you never talk to them then you don't learn from them." ~Lesson learned from the innovate within experience.

What currently motivates you?
What currently motivates me is the impact we are having on our community. Knowing that every day we are helping people is what motivates me.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
The advancements in Northwest Indiana as far as education is going. Entrepreneurship is a great thing and the more people that can take advantage of it the better.

Profession: Small business advisor
City of Birth: Columbia, MO

What does "being innovative" mean to you? Creating something new, finding creative solutions to problems, improving how something works and how we do things.

How would you describe great leadership? Guiding and building teams where everyone contributes to a goal and feels heard.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Focus on the now and fully engage in what you're doing.

What currently motivates you?
Our clients and what they're striving for

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
NWI has momentum and the region is working together like never before!

Profession: Assistant Director, The Leadership Institute at PNW
City of Birth: Chicago, IL

What does "being innovative" mean to you? Being innovative means to come up with new solutions to existing issues in ways that haven't been considered or explored before.

How would you describe great leadership? Great leadership begins with compassion and humility. It goes beyond a title, and it embodies the very goals and mission of your organization.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Follow your first mind.

What currently motivates you?
Becoming a better version of the person I was yesterday.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
Projects designed to cultivate the youth into entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Profession: Community Relations Director
City of Birth: Gary

What does "being innovative" mean to you? Thinking outside the box. Looking at all angles of an issue before making a decision. Creating your own path

How would you describe great leadership? Mentorship, finding the good in each person and encouraging that development. Providing opportunities for others to lead. Compassion. Good listening skills, Overall, a workplace/situation should be fun - finding and igniting the fun.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
The garage door philosophy - When coming home, when the garage door opens and you see your spouse, friend, partner's car - does that make you happy or not? This analogy can be translated into many situations. Overall, what makes you happy?

What currently motivates you?
Family, finding good work-life balance, finding my happy

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
Wow! There is so much to be excited about...the advantages of the South Shore Train project and how it could really change the footprint of NWI - economically & aesthetically. The impact of the $50 million infusion into NWI projects.

Profession: Rancher, Walnut Trees
City of Birth: Washington, D.C.

What does "being innovative" mean to you? Challenging the status quo!

How would you describe great leadership? Living your values!

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Thinking differently!

What currently motivates you?
First, my Family, my Farm, my Nation! Secondly, that I continue to grow as a steward of this land and our world. Thirdly, that I inspire people around me to make a difference for the next generation, so we leave a legacy worthy of the privilege of growing up in this great country!

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
That an ordinary individual like myself can make a small difference by planting “seeds of change.” When I see a South Shore poster, the Wall of Legends, the Society of Innovators, and thousands of walnut trees growing skyward, l say, “l had something to do with this.”

Profession: Level Up Program Director at United Way Northwest Indiana
City of Birth Calumet City, IL

What does “being innovative” mean to you? Continuing to seek new and different solutions. Bringing together people from different backgrounds and working together to address our community challenges.

How would you describe great leadership? The best leaders are transformational in their interactions, care deeply about those they lead, and encourage leadership from every level.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Low expectations are the key to happiness.

What currently motivates you?
My children.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
I am beginning to see more collective action versus our traditional silos and that makes me have hope for collectively resolving challenges.

Profession: Grants Manager
City of Birth: Hammond

What does “being innovative” mean to you? Never settling and always asking for more and better.

How would you describe great leadership? Great leadership is defined by those who trust in those they oversee to do their jobs and will go to bat for them 150% of the time. Great leadership sets the example professionally as well as ethically to what is best for all those impacted by their roles within their communities.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Do your best with good moral standing, trusting yourself to do what is right for the benefit of all involved.

What currently motivates you?
Currently, I want to make things happen, but with purpose and full intent. I am motivated to make things happen where many, not just myself, can celebrate and feel the full effect of any and all accomplishments.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
The continued opportunity for growth. I don't like stagnation or indifference. I am also thrilled to see everyone working so well together in making these growth opportunities happen for the Region as a whole.

Profession: Patchables Executive Digital Management
City of Birth: Portage

What does “being innovative” mean to you?
If you are being innovative, you are doing something to help others, whether it is tackling a global issue or an issue in your community.

How would you describe great leadership?
In order to be a great leader, you have to listen to what your team members are saying. You have to communicate with your team and listen to their ideas because they might have some ideas that you didn't see.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
No idea is a bad idea in the brainstorming process.

What currently motivates you?
My teachers, and my family are my biggest motivators. Without all of the support I would not be where I am today.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
I am excited that Northwest Indiana is starting to have more STEM programs for kids to explore STEM. We have a lot of schools that are starting to be PLTW schools and to me that is a big deal.

Profession: Regional Director, Federal Employee
City of Birth: Munster

What does “being innovative” mean to you? Adding value to our community through new, creative initiatives and business practices.

How would you describe great leadership? Creating an atmosphere that allows for collaboration and progress to achieve a common goal.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
The Golden Rule

What currently motivates you?
The ability to achieve my highest potential.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
The new partnerships and investment opportunities that are being created.

Profession: CEO
City of Birth: Gary

What does "being innovative" mean to you? Doing and thinking in new ways to create more value for society.

How would you describe great leadership? People who get things done by inspiring others

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Know thyself and to thine own self be true.

What currently motivates you?
Finding good people and helping them.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
Seeing the region come together in unprecedented ways.

Profession: United States Postal Employee
City of Birth: Gary

What does "being innovative" mean to you? Truly by doing or creating something beneficial to society. Also, leaving my mark on the world and helping the greater good for humanity!

How would you describe great leadership?
As a Marine Corp veteran, Leadership is by example! You would do what you would have your troops do. Ensuring that you complete tasks and do them to the best of your ability!

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Once a task has just begun, never leave it until it's done.... Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all!

What currently motivates you?
My Faith first, my mother's memory and motivational speaker Dr. Billy Alsbrooks.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
First, our youth in the area, I believe that the children are still our future! Secondly, the new Infrastructure bill just passed. This could be an economic game changer for this area, creating new excitement.

Profession: Industrial Engineering
City of Birth: Hammond, IN

What does "being innovative" mean to you?
An innovator is someone who creates designs from ideas based on situation(s) you're desiring to conquer. Given the correct tools and directions many individuals can develop amazing products.

How would you describe great leadership? Great leadership comes from having a humble group of employees that understand personal responsibilities for failure, maintaining excellent communication with your employees and training is key in our industry.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Always pay attention to others and learn as much as possible to help you succeed in your career.

What currently motivates you?
I always have set goals which I'm determined to meet daily, monthly and yearly, and overcoming challenges of daily deadlines and maintaining a successful staff, clients, and happy homelife is key.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
Seeing all the new growth and development in NWI is showing the new residents that Indiana has a lot to offer for new families, schools, careers and businesses.

Profession: Entrepreneur
City of Birth: Litchfield

What does "being innovative" mean to you? We all have unique personal and professional experiences daily and being innovative to me is expressing creativity based on knowledge of your surroundings. Innovation also takes courage to bring new ideas to life.

How would you describe great leadership? Great leadership requires listening, accountability, guiding, learning, adjusting, empathy, consistency, and empowerment. Along with these things a great leader should discuss the learning that goes along with making mistakes and how to adjust for future experiences.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Integrity and character are demonstrated by what you do when no one’s looking. AND, success is a compilation of small daily decisions compounded over time. These are my favorite Slight Edge Principles.

What currently motivates you?
Seeing my employees feel proud of the work we do and learning from each project to be bigger and better for the next one.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
I'm new to NWI and my hope is for growth to continue and positive change to be a constant.

Profession: Client Manager
City of Birth: Hammond

What does “being innovative” mean to you? Innovation means embracing the impossible. If we stay within the confines of what we only think is possible, we will never reach new goals.

How would you describe great leadership? Leaders listen with the distinction of understanding that they don't know it all. They open their ears twice as much as their mouths.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Don't try to turn a period into a comma. Know when something is over and move on.

What currently motivates you?
I'm motivated by the sense of accomplishment of a job well done.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
We live in a unique and interesting place, rife with booming industry, spectacular landscape, and creative, diverse dialogue. Seeing the innovation of our youth and the dedication they have to creating a better life in NWI inspires me daily.

Profession: Workforce Development
City of Birth: Boston

What does "being innovative" mean to you? Persistent curiosity and relentless dissatisfaction with the status quo.

How would you describe great leadership? Equipping your team and removing barriers to their success.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Have passion. If you have passion, people will follow you.

What currently motivates you?
I'm motivated to help people change their lives with a better paying job!

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
There are so many opportunities to collaborate and an increasing willingness to do so!

Profession: Teacher
City of Birth: Hobart

What does “being innovative” mean to you? Being innovative means becoming comfortable being uncomfortable. Nothing new is created in the range of comfortability.

How would you describe great leadership? Great leadership in the context of innovation is understanding there will be failure. The opposite of micromanagement.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
You can still learn a lot from a bad manager/boss; perspective is everything.

What currently motivates you?
This is constantly changing for me. I like the problems that nobody else wants to tackle. When the conclusion is, "we don't know how to solve this", that's the problem I like to think about.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
I feel that the ecosystems for entrepreneurship to thrive are more prevalent here than anywhere else. Combine that with the deep-rooted blue-collar work ethic and you have a combination that will plant a seed of exponential growth.

Profession: Strategy & Business Designer
City of Birth: Gary, IN

What does "being innovative" mean to you? Innovation to me is about a change that positively transforms an entity, more importantly an individual's well-being - either personally or in an environment i.e. family, religion, community, work, military - in an emotional or physical sense that moves us from a normal to a new normal. In business, there's the additional component that an innovation must provide proven quantitative results, plus have positive financial impact to the business model.

How would you describe great leadership? This quote from a Nov 2016 Forbes article is a north star on leadership for me, “A great leader possesses a clear vision, is courageous, has integrity, honesty, humility, and clear focus. He or she is a strategic planner and believes in teamwork. Great leaders help people reach their goals, are not afraid to hire people that might be better than them and take pride in the accomplishments of those they help along the way.”

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
A good friend and mentor once told me that I need to be more confident in myself. This advice has moved me forward in what I do and how I approach my work and personal life.

What currently motivates you?
There's a lot of opportunity to make our lives and communities we live in better. I'm motivated by working on the future version of myself - working towards making my dreams a reality - to have positive impacts in the world around me.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
Seeing and reading about the changes being made through hard work and passion to make people's lives and our communities better. The Society of Innovators gets me excited about the future of Northwest Indiana because it provides the window into the world around us and a platform to showcase the people (the forces) working to innovate towards a new normal.

Profession: Media
City of Birth: Dolton

What does "being innovative" mean to you? The ability to see a current problem, and to think of a successful solution.

How would you describe great leadership? Someone that establishes team goals, provides support to those around them in obtaining goals, and gives the team credit when the goal is met.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Keep it simple.

What currently motivates you?
Authentic Art. Bands, writers, performers, directors, photographers, podcast hosts, producers; any form of an authentic display of the human condition.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
The successes of our citizens, schools, community leaders, corporations, and small business owners.

Profession: Director of Environmental Permitting at NiSource
City of Birth: Chicago, IL

What does "being innovative" mean to you? Being innovative is always pushing beyond the status quo, looking for new and better ways to do things or finding ways to do what sometimes seems impossible. Innovation is developing solutions for challenges that have not yet been accomplished. Innovators often find themselves paving a path through new and uncharted landscapes, sometimes failing along the way, but rather than give up, they forge ahead always with an eye on success.

How would you describe great leadership?
A great leader is a person who can provide positive influence and support to a team in the pursuit of a common goal. This leader has earned the respect and confidence of their team which instills in them a desire to accomplish their goals. The leader is nothing without the team, and the team will likely drift aimlessly without good leadership.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Always be honest and tell the truth even if creates challenges for you.

What currently motivates you?
I am motivated by the opportunities to learn more and do good things that have a positive impact on the environment, my family, and in the lives of those around me.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
I am excited to see NWI transition from a heavily industrialized area to an example of how our communities can become a model that better balances community, industry, and the environment.

Profession: Director, Center for Talent and Opportunity
City of Birth: La Porte, IN

What does "being innovative" mean to you? Seeing a complex challenge or limitation members of a community are facing and developing a solution or method for creating opportunity that advances the community from or maybe even because of it.

How would you describe great leadership? Great leaders inspire, encourage, and coach other great leaders.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not, for I am with you.

What currently motivates you?
Faith, an endless desire to learn and grow; and a passion for applying whatever insights I gain toward growing opportunities for others.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
So many things, but to pick a few I'd have to say the realization of the Ignite the Region strategic plan, our opportunity to serve as a hub of innovation, the growth of consistent collaboration across a variety of organizations, and the opportunity to serve as a national/international example on collective moonshot goals we set and accomplish.

Profession: Managing Director, Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest
City of Birth: West Lafayette, IN

What does "being innovative" mean to you?
In its simplest form, I think that innovation is solving an unmet need in a new or unique way. "Being Innovative" is also a mindset we all need to possess. To me, this means to be a better problem solver; but more importantly it means to be curious, adventurous, and generous. Society needs more unapologetically curious explorers who want to help solve the problems they see in their worlds.

How would you describe great leadership? Doing what you say you will and helping those around you shine brighter.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
People want to do business with a professional, but a professional doesn't have to be so serious all the time.

What currently motivates you?
There is an increasing shift and recognition that we all need to be better problem-solvers. The need for innovation skills and the opportunities for our next generation are really exciting. And people are always a strong motivation. Humans are magical when they want to be (and believe they can be).

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
I am newer to Northwest Indiana. There is just so much potential here. This region has a long and storied history of punching above its weight class when it comes to ideas and ingenuity. There is an energy stirring across NWI that is palpable. The right people are in place and the collaborations are happening for us to see a significant Renaissance in the months and years to come.

Profession: Owner/Manager
City of Birth: Elkhart

What does “being innovative” mean to you? Solving problems with new innovative solutions

How would you describe great leadership? Providing an atmosphere for expression and growth

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Always leave something on the table for the next guy...

What currently motivates you?
Personal desire to make things better.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
Collaboration with all sectors

Profession: Student/Social Work
City of Birth: Michigan City, IN

What does "being innovative" mean to you? Being innovative means to be brave enough to challenge the status quo and think beyond what is commonly presented.

How would you describe great leadership?
A leader is someone who makes decisions with discernment and works towards the benefit of all. Great leadership is selfless, wise, and focused.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
In a situation, only worry about what you can control or change. Don’t let things you can’t control stop you from what you need to do.

What currently motivates you?
The people that surround me, especially my fellow social work majors. It is incredibly motivating to be a part of a group that is working towards a collective good to make positive change in the lives around us.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
I believe there are a lot of promising youth in NWI, and I am excited to see how they will grow and give back to their communities!

Profession: Education
City of Birth: Frankfort, Germany

What does "being innovative" mean to you? Being bold, thinking creatively, and looking at things and situations like no one has before.

How would you describe great leadership?
A great leader is someone who has the courage and foresight to push everyone forward; along with the grace that the group doesn't even feel themselves moving.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
Everything will work out if you believe in yourself.

What currently motivates you?
What motivates me is creating and building new programs that remove barriers for others to succeed.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
Seeing the diversity of people, ideas, and backgrounds, come together and create a joint vision for NW Indiana and begin to build that vision together.

Profession: College Professor
City of Birth: Augusta, GA

What does "being innovative" mean to you? Innovation begins with curiosity. One looks at the world around them and asks the question, "How can we make this better?" This curiosity must be followed by taking action to make changes. But never be afraid to make mistakes along the way.

How would you describe great leadership? Leadership can be described in many ways. My favorite definition of a great leader is one who inspires and teaches others to become great leaders.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
You cannot do anything about your past. Your future is uncertain. Do not be afraid to reinvent yourself to lead you toward a future you wish to have.

What currently motivates you?
I love seeing my students thriving. I go to work every day for the single parent who wants to make a better life for their kids than they had. I go to work every day for the returning veteran who wants to change their life path. I go to work every day for young people who are uncertain about their future. If I can help anyone see the greatness in themselves, then I have succeeded.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
I am in awe of the wonderful people who I consider colleagues and friends all around Northwest Indiana. These folks are those who make and will continue to make Northwest Indiana the awesome place to live, play, and do business that it is.

Profession: Lawyer
City of Birth: Valparaiso

What does “being innovative” mean to you? Being innovative means constant thought as to how to improve and expound on ideas to meet the needs of the community, market, or environment. Without innovation, the world would be stagnant.

How would you describe great leadership? Great leadership is having your vision implemented without the leader having to do the work by themselves. This is a well-oiled machine with each employee working on their part of the vision to see the whole vision come to fruition.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
The most sensible advice I have ever been given is to love what you do. So, I changed my idea of that to, “if it is not fun, why are you doing it?” I want to make sure that I am driven by enjoyment, so I do not get burned out.

What currently motivates you?
Currently I am motivated by my family. My father was an innovator and brought a family business into the millennium. After his passing, I decided I wanted to be just like him and provide jobs and make sure that if I have what I need, I can make sure that others have what they need.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
I am excited about the future of Northwest Indiana due to the growth of our young entrepreneurs and the support they provide for themselves through their online presence and in person networking they provide.

Profession: Development Officer
City of Birth: Hammond

What does “being innovative” mean to you? paying attention to detail and expanding your mind using people, places, and things.

How would you describe great leadership? listening more and adapting communication and values to all in the group.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
pay attention & expand your mind.

What currently motivates you?
youth

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
double tracking, nature preservation, new business, tourism

Profession: Administrative Assistant/Singer/Songwriter/Minister
City of Birth: Dearborn

What does "being innovative" mean to you?
To me, being innovative means thinking outside of the box and coming up with cutting edge ideas. It is presenting things in an interesting way and getting others to look at things in a new way. For instance, when I was contemplating my move to Gary, Indiana, I felt it needed an uplifting catch phrase or something positive, so I thought of using the letters of GARY and having them stand for God Always Redeems You, Indiana. So that is where I tell people I live. (I started writing a song by that title, too.) Thank you.

How would you describe great leadership?
In my opinion, great leaders are humble. They roll up their sleeves and get involved like everyone else, putting in the extra elbow grease to get projects done, from beginning to end. Great Leaders are positive role models and can relate to all people, not just the affluent. They go out of their way to help others. They are open to new ideas and concepts. They can be entrepreneurial, and they are innovators who look at things from all sides. They are open-minded and generous when they can be. They give great guidance and build people up. Great Leadership changes things for the better! Thank you.

What is the most sensible piece of advice you've been given?
The most sensible piece of advice I have been given came from a gentleman named Carol Hartz. Mr. Hartz was my Abnormal Psych Professor at Purdue. He told us, "When you are dealing with someone who is having a mental health crisis, do not let anything get between you and them and the door." I heard it in 1997 and this advice has literally saved my life many times over. God rest his soul. Thank you.

What currently motivates you?
The thing that currently motivates me is the fact that I want to make the rest of my life the best of my life. I have been a widow for almost five years. My late husband died suddenly. He had no time to say goodbye or anything. He was only 59. I will be 59 in January. I already have my motto chosen, (each year I have one), it is, "Time to Shine at 59!" This year it is, "Feeling Great at 58!" Anyway, I read my Bible, pray, sing, and laugh every day. I love God and I love people. There are so many things I still need to do! The rest of my life WILL be the best of my life! Thank you.

What gets you excited about the future of Northwest Indiana?
The thing that gets me excited about the future of Northwest Indiana is that I know it is going to grow. I see the housing market on the upswing and prices of homes have tripled in these past four years or so. People are buying those homes at the higher prices, especially in the City of Hammond where I currently work. Gary has the new Hard Rock Casino and every day when I pass by it, (I live within walking distance to it), the parking lot has many cars and shuttle buses. Speaking of buses, the transit system in Gary is awesome! Those buses even travel to Hammond and other surrounding areas. The South Shore train lines are also expanding! I love Northwest Indiana!!! Thank you.