Lisa Daugherty is President & CEO of Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI), which develops strategic talent solutions to meet the workforce needs of employers and job seekers in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Starke and Pulaski counties in Northwest Indiana.  CWI also serves as staff to the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board and manages the WorkOne offices in that region.

Prior to coming to CWI, Lisa served as President and CEO for Lake Area United Way (LAUW), where under her leadership, they launched the Level Up program to help low-income working families access better paying jobs.  While in that role, she earned NIPSCO’s Luminary Award for Outstanding Community Leadership.

Lisa is leveraging her background in media and marketing to raise greater awareness of the resources the workforce development ecosystem brings to region residents.

She earned both Bachelor and Master of Arts in Communication and Creative Arts from Purdue Northwest.

Outside of her work priorities, Lisa works really hard to pamper her four rescues and takes pride in being “the fun aunt” for 16 nieces and nephews.

Heather Ennis is President and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum, a privately held nonprofit organization focused on creating economic development opportunities for the seven-county region. With more than 130 members, the Forum works to create a positive business climate promoting investment, quality job creation and retention in harmony with the environment and critical components of a sustainable regional economy. Funded by membership contributions and grants, Forum membership translates into a direct investment in the region’s future.

In her 9 years leading the Forum, Heather has worked to build a coalition of regional partners focused on transforming the Northwest Indiana economic landscape; focusing on key performance indicators of population growth, increase in capital investment and per capita income growth. She is a registered lobbyist and has spent hundreds of hours advocating for economic development tools.

Previously as President of the Duneland Chamber of Commerce, she led an organization committed to improving the quality of life and breadth of economic opportunity within the five lakefront municipalities of Beverly Shores, Burns Harbor, Chesterton, Dune Acres and Porter.

Ennis is more than just a community leader, she serves as a catalytic voice for her constituents on a state and regional level as a member of the Indiana Economic Development Association Board and Legislative Committee, Metro Chambers Coalition, Indiana Vision 2025+, Indiana Defense Task Force, Indiana Chamber Workforce Advisory Council, 21^st Century Talent Region Partner, Northwest Medical Board, Autonomous Vehicle Challenge Committee,  Unity Way of Northwest Indiana Board, Porter County Community Foundation Grant Committee and Champion of Ignite the Region. In 2022, she was included in Indiana Business Journal’s Top 250 inaugural list of the most influential business leaders in Indiana.

Ennis credits her husband and son as the source of her passion for local community building and regional economic development. After working nationally for several years, she made a firm commitment to raise her family in Northwest Indiana – a region she is doing her part to strengthen for the next generation.

The foundation’s goal is to work with key partners to transform communities through sustainable legacy investments that enhance quality of life, promote health and wellness, stimulate economic development, increase access to high quality education and that promote broad collaboration.

Hanna is the former President and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA). Hanna joined the RDA and the state of Indiana in 2009 and has served under the RDA board of directors and the administrations of Indiana Governors Mitch Daniels, Mike Pence, and current Governor, Eric Holcomb. During Hanna’s tenure the RDA has facilitated more than $2.4 billion in new investment in infrastructure. The RDA and a coalition of private business representatives, community leaders, labor, and federal, state, and local officials worked together in an unprecedented way to deliver the largest investment in commuter rail transportation in the state’s history

Prior to his time at the RDA, Hanna was the City Manager and Deputy Mayor for the City of Valparaiso, the Economic Development Director for Valparaiso and Vice President of the Valparaiso Economic Development Corporation.

Hanna earned his Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University, his MBA from National-Louis University in Chicago, and his bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management and Human Resources from Colorado Christian University.

His military career in the U.S. Army as an airborne qualified light infantryman (paratrooper) from 1995 to 1999 included membership in the Army’s Official Presidential Escort and service as a Sentinel (guard) and Head Trainer/Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C.

Hanna is a Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana (Community Health Systems) Board Member

A member of the Indianapolis Chamber Board of Directors

He is the Governor’s appointment to the following:

• Indiana Commission on Higher Education
• Chicago/Gary Aviation Compact
• The Indiana Finance Authority
• Indiana Toll Road Oversight Commission
• Hanna was recently named one of the 250 most influential Hoosier by the Indiana Business Journal
• He was also recently named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Eric Holcomb

Michael Hooper is Senior Vice President and President of Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), NiSource’s natural gas and electric utility in Indiana. He is responsible for delivering safe and reliable service to the nearly 1.2 million electric and natural gas customers across northern Indiana.

Previously, Hooper served as Senior Vice President, Regulatory and Legislative Affairs and Strategy at NIPSCO with responsibility for regulatory and legislative activities and for formulating NIPSCO’s strategic vision and plans.

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
Hooper has more than 25 years of experience in the utility industry. He joined NiSource in 2011 and formerly served as NIPSCO’s Senior Vice President of Electric Operations as well as Vice President of Major Projects.

Prior to joining NiSource, he held a variety of leadership positions with American Electric Power (AEP), serving for 15 years in AEP’s power generation and capital project management divisions.

BOARD AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT
Hooper serves on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana and on the board of directors for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. He takes part in hands-on volunteering opportunities throughout the year through local community service organizations.

EDUCATION
He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the West Virginia Institute of Technology and is a graduate of the Strategic Leadership Program from the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.

COMMUNITY/FAMILY
Hooper resides in Valparaiso, Indiana with his family.

Marlon R. Mitchell is the Founder and President of the Gary East Side Community Development Corporation. He attended Indiana University earning a doctorate in Instructional Systems Technology. With over 25 years of executive leadership experience leading diverse workforces. Dr. Mitchell has held faculty and executive leadership posts at several colleges and universities in the US and abroad. Equipped with an extensive background in Business Management, Strategic Planning, Human Resources, and Talent Development is uniquely qualified to transform organizations.  As Chair of the Fiscal Management Board of the GCSC and the Institute for Leadership and Performance Improvement, his engagement demonstrates his commitment to the growth and development of our communities. Dr. Mitchell is an active member of the interfaith community as well as a speaker, teacher, and executive coach. Dr. Mitchell has dedicated his life to serving disenfranchised and vulnerable populations as evidenced by his work in community development and education. He believes that your passion and purpose will ultimately lead you to your true calling.

On Dec. 2, 2020, José D. Padilla, J.D., was announced as Valparaiso University’s 19th president. A dynamic thinker, and natural leader, President Padilla brings many skills, experiences, and accomplishments in higher education that are ideally suited to the University’s needs today and in the future.

President Padilla is a strong believer in service and regularly puts his faith into action. He combines service and faith with wisdom to ensure that Valpo graduates are learned and spiritual men and women who become force multipliers in their professions and communities.

President Padilla joined Valpo as the culmination of a long and successful career in higher education. He served as vice president, university counsel, and secretary of the University of Colorado System. Previously he served 15 years in senior leadership roles at DePaul University in Chicago, the most recent as vice president, general counsel, and secretary.

He began his career practicing law, but found his vocation to serve his country, fellow citizens, and university students through his roles in higher education. He also performed public service in Washington, D.C. He served as a legislative assistant to United States Senator Lloyd Bentsen (D-Tx) and as a senior political appointee in the administration of President Bill Clinton.

President Padilla received his bachelor of education in elementary education from The University of Toledo and his juris doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School.

He currently is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Missouri Valley Conference and is a member of the following boards: The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities; Campus Compact; and One Region (Indiana).

President Padilla’s professional affiliations include the D.C. Bar Association, and the National Association of College and University Attorneys where he was Chairman of the Board of Directors. He previously sat on the Board of Trustees for St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkhill, New York which awarded him an honorary degree.

He was named to the Notable General Counsels list by Crain’s Chicago Business in 2019, which recognized those who made a significant impact within the Chicago business community. President Padilla was also included in the “Who Is Who in Hispanic Chicago” list of Negocios Now in 2016, 2017, and 2019. In 2010, he was named one of 100 influential Hispanics in Hispanic Business magazine.

President Padilla was born in Augsburg, Germany, on a U.S. Army base. He was raised in Toledo, Ohio.

He met his wife, Hilda, at a fundraiser in Chicago, and the two were married in 1986. Hilda is a real estate broker and entrepreneur. They have two grown children, Jacob and Camille.

In his free time, President Padilla enjoys working out, writing, reading, fly fishing, watching historical shows and movies, and spending time with his dog, Coach.