Alisha Berglund brings her blended background in education, philanthropy, and non-profit management to her work with Berglund Construction, a fourth-generation, family-owned building and restoration firm. Berglund Construction is known for partnering with its clients to improve and transform communities through the innovative construction, restoration, and preservation of the built environment. Alisha works with Berglund Construction's non-profit and other clients with special requirements that go beyond typical project needs. With over a decade of non-profit experience, including at exemplar organizations like The Chicago Public Education Fund and Leadership Greater Chicago, Alisha is able to collaborate with clients and create innovative approaches to helping them reach their goals. Alisha began her career as a high school mathematics teacher on Chicago's South Side through the prestigious Teach For America program -- an experience she carries with her in all of her work. She now resides in Northwest Indiana with her husband and three young sons, and is active in her community through her leadership on the boards of various important organizations: the Northwest Indiana Forum, the Duneland Education Foundation, and First Things First Porter County.

Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer is the Founding Executive Director of First Things First Porter County, a collective impact initiative advancing systems change for very young children and families. A longtime early childhood leader, she is Professor Emerita at Purdue University Northwest, where she built educator pipelines and community partnerships. With over 25 years of experience, she brings deep expertise in leading collaborative efforts that strengthen early learning and family well-being.

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 140 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 11 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. 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 Legislative Committee Co-Chair, Metro Chambers Coalition, Indiana Defense Task Force, Indiana Chamber Workforce Advisory Council, 21st Century Talent Region Partner, Northwest Medical Board, United Way of Northwest Indiana Past Board Chair, Porter County Community Foundation Grant Committee and Champion of Ignite the Region. In 2022-2025 she was included in Indiana Business Journal’s Top 250 list of the most influential business leaders in Indiana, is a Northwest Indiana Society of Innovators Fellow a 2024 recipient of a Sagamore of the Wabash and a graduate of Purdue University.

Dan Kozlowski is the Executive Director of Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana, where he supports educational excellence for over 6,000 students across Catholic schools in the Diocese of Gary. In 2024, he helped secure a historic $150 million commitment from the Dean & Barbara White Family Foundation to enhance Catholic education in communities with the greatest need. Recognized as a Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation “Driving Change Award” winner and a “20 Under 40” honoree, Dan is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in education and his community. He lives in Crown Point, Indiana, with his wife, Stephanie, and their daughters, Madison and Mackenzie.

Hadassah Moore is Project Coordinator for First Things First and has been calling Northwest Indiana “home” since 2017, previously living in Ohio. She has a passion for equipping local communities to thrive, with professional background in non-profit program coordination and event planning. Hadassah holds a B.A. in Applied Communications from Cedarville University and enjoys baking, board games, and word puzzles when she isn’t busy chasing after her toddler son.

Dr. Chip Pettit serves as the superintendent of the Duneland Schools. Duneland serves over 5,700 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. During his career, Chip has been a middle school teacher, high school teacher, head football coach, dean of students, director of student services, and high school principal. He has experience in leading initiatives to promote College & Career Readiness for all students, including 1:1 technology, dual credit, and community-based internships. Dr. Pettit completed his undergraduate work at Valparaiso University, before earning a master’s degree from Indiana University, and then his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Ball State University. Chip and his wife, Karin, have been married for 27 years and have two children, Will (23) and Avery (21).

A trusted fundraiser and relationship developer with more than 18 years of experience, Kasandra (Kasie) Tenbarge has helped to build and execute successful campaigns, programming, events, and volunteer boards across higher education, non-profit, and business sectors in Northwest Indiana. Throughout her career Kasie has held a deep respect and interest in the relationship and role of education within Porter County, as well as the role of education within greater Northwest Indiana. Residing in Chesterton, IN she and her family are active members of the Chesterton United Methodist Church, and Kasie is also active in the Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club, and her local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She enjoys HIIT style exercise programs, jogging, singing in the praise band, playing the ukulele, bike riding around town and visiting the beach with her family. Kasie lives with her husband, Adam, and their two boys; AJ – 14, and Grayson – 12.