Linda Perez leads St. Jude House’s work on behalf of domestic violence victims. Difficult conversations. Linda Perez initiates and facilitates such uncomfortable interactions on a daily basis to make a difference in the Northwest Indiana community. As executive director of St. Jude House, a rescue center for victims of domestic violence, she is not only […]
Creating an Ethical Culture
Trying to make the world a better place, in the workplace and in public service. by Laurie Wink In our highly competitive, hurry-up world, we face a continuous barrage of TV news, social media blasts and viral videos with freely shared opinions that can spark conflicts. In response to growing evidence of bad behavior, some […]
Sojourner Truth House
Compassionate care for the region’s most vulnerable people. by Barbara Eastman Spring has arrived in Northwest Indiana and, overall, it was a pretty mild winter. However, if you found yourself homeless during a lake-effect snow storm, you might have a different opinion. The sad reality is that there are many homeless women and children in […]
Leaders as Heroes Inductees
Winners of the 2015 South Shore Leadership Awards. by Jerry Davich Keith Kirkpatrick asked hundreds of guests to raise their champagne glasses to symbolically toast the newest Leaders as Heroes inductees. More realistically, Kirkpatrick hoped his toast at the jam-packed Avalon Manor in Merrillville raised awareness to the importance of publicly recognizing our region’s “doers, […]
It’s Gary’s Time
Not-for-profit offers hope and opportunities for ex-offenders. by Jerry Davich Roger Hayward had just returned home from another drunken bender. He forgot about his dog left alone in the apartment for three days. He came back to a sobering mess. His poor dog defecated all over his home and urinated on his pillow. “I got […]
Seeing a Need
Nick Popovich quietly spreads donations across the region. by Jerry Davich Nick Popovich and his staff of aircraft specialists have repossessed hundreds of luxury jets and high-priced airplanes the past three decades. But the high-flying philanthropy behind his Valparaiso-based firm, Sage-Popovich Inc., often takes place away from the public’s radar. The exhaustive list of groups, […]
Reaching for the Stars
Challenger Learning Center promotes science, engineering and space. by Michael Puente Educators often stress to students to “reach for the stars.” When Rebecca Manis says it, she means it, literally. “Our mission is to inspire and engage students in the STEM fields, science, technology, engineering and math. We do it through simulation. We try to […]
A Lasting Legacy
Largest estate gift funds St. Joseph’s College scholarships. by Michael Puente For two years beginning in 2008, Maureen Egan provided vital information about St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer to a complete stranger. She had no idea what this person was going to do with the information or to whom they were going to pass the […]
A Lasting Legacy
Largest estate gift funds St. Joseph’s College scholarships. by Michael Puente For two years beginning in 2008, Maureen Egan provided vital information about St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer to a complete stranger. She had no idea what this person was going to do with the information or to whom they were going to pass the […]
An Ambassador for Northwest Indiana
John Davies helps honor region’s “Legends” and “Innovators.” by Rick A. Richards Ask John Davies for a couple of minutes and he’ll give you 10 on something positive about Northwest Indiana. Looking at the region’s bright spot is not just in his nature, it’s his mission. Davies, assistant director of the Gerald I. Lamkin Innovation […]