Northwest Indiana Business Magazine has been serving the Region's business community since 1991. Our success is due in part to a group of committed leaders who serve on our executive editorial and advisory board.

Since I became managing editor in fall 2023 and then publisher and executive editor in fall 2024, several new community and business leaders have joined our board.

Spencer Summers, economic development director of the Northwest Indiana Forum, and Jason Williams, managing director of The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest, were early additions during my tenure. Both offer a wealth of expertise and contacts in the Region.

“I was excited to join the editorial board to connect with other business leaders and help the magazine discover new people and stories worth telling,” Williams said.

Summers also joined the board to communicate with other like-minded experts in the Region.

“It is an honor to be involved in the editorial board with leaders throughout Northwest Indiana,” Summers said. “The reporting and work being done by the NWI Business Magazine offers clarity and transparency for all things going on in Northwest Indiana and more.”

Donna Kiesling, assistant director of marketing and communications at Ivy Tech Community College’s Lake County campus, and Micah Pollak, associate professor of economics in the School of Business & Economics, and director of the Center for Economic Education & Research at Indiana University Northwest, are more recent additions.

Kiesling has a background in journalism and knows what makes a good story.

“My background in journalism seemed a perfect fit for the (magazine's) editorial board,” Kiesling said. “As a reporter and editor, I always enjoyed putting my stamp on the content available to readers and helping ensure they had access to articles that were interesting, enjoyable and impactful. I’m glad to be able to serve in that capacity again.”

Pollak offers thought leadership on economics and offers context on business trends and what they mean to business leaders in the Region.

“Northwest Indiana is a fantastic environment for businesses, and Northwest Indiana Business Magazine serves a crucial role in sharing the success stories of businesses in the Region,” Pollak said. “I’m very excited for the opportunity to serve on the advisory board and help bring these stories to a wider audience.”

Both offer insight into higher education's role in the Region's economic development, and programs that help businesses start and grow.

Chelsea Whittington, owner of C WHITT, a PR consulting firm based in Gary, is our board's newest member. Her background in public relations and communications comes in handy when researching sources for stories. Her enthusiasm also is contagious!

Our board also includes the following members:

• Erin Bonin, founder of South Bend-based Parnomi
• Jessica Cantarelli, public relations and communications manager at Merrillville-based Centier Bank
• Erika Dahl, marketing content writer for Kopka Pinkus Dolin P.C., which has an office in Crown Point; and former director of communications for the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority for 13 years 
• Lorri Feldt, executive director of the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center based in Crown Point
• Katie Holderby, director of alumni engagement at Purdue University Northwest, and former director of marketing and membership at the Northwest Indiana Forum
• Keith Kirkpatrick, president of KPM Group Inc. based in Valparaiso
• Leigh Morris, health care consultant, former mayor of the city of La Porte, among many other accomplishments
• Rich Shields, chief marketing officer of United Way Northwest Indiana, which serves Lake, Porter, Newton, Jasper and Starke counties
• Anthony Sindone, clinical associate professor of finance and economic development at Purdue University Northwest
• Linda Woloshansky, retired president and CEO of the Center of Workforce Innovations based in Valparaiso

Our board meets once every other month to discuss story ideas and possible sources for our next issue. They graciously share their deep connections in the community and expertise on the business climate in the Region.

I am grateful for their input and commitment to helping the magazine provide interesting, well-sourced stories for readers.

And as Williams pointed out, “Having a voice on the editorial board also helps the Society draw attention to all of the cool work taking place across our Region.”

Learn more about our board members here, and the magazine's history here.