With the support of business and industry professionals from throughout the Region, Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana’s Blueprint for Success Young Leaders Forum proved to be an unbeatable educational opportunity for young scholars from local Diocese of Gary high schools. Students had the opportunity to network with business leaders, ask questions related to college and career paths, and learn more about potential professions to pursue in the future.
Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana is always excited to nurture the next generation of leaders, and the Blueprint for Success Young Leaders Forum serves as another avenue of support.
“Today is one of the many opportunities in life where a door is being opened,” said Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana Executive Director Dan Kozlowski. “These students are the future; their leadership, ideas, and actions will shape the world in ways we can’t yet imagine.”
The event began with a catered brunch buffet and an hour of networking with local professionals, including NiSource Director of Operations & Safety Communications Ian Adams, veterinarian Dr. Twila Barradas, Community Healthnet CEO Dr. Janet Seabrook, and Opportunity Enterprises President & CEO Neil Samahon.
“A lot of the soft skills of business – interviewing, filling out applications, etc. – aren’t being taught in schools anymore,” said Gisele Jones, Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana scholarship programs & leadership development director. “Even when those skills were being taught, no one was teaching them how to network, which is a super powerful and important skill. That’s why this forum is so important; I want students to leave with a skill they might not have right now.”
Following brunch, student had the opportunity to ask questions of a leadership panel consisting of Samahon, Baradas, Seabrook, and Jones as well as software engineer Giantte Chambers and Danielle Robinson, Big Shoulders Fund managing director of school operations and patrons program. The goal was to students information about college and careers today, preventing panic down the road.
“In the work that I do, I often see students who don’t know what they want to do after high school,” said Catisha Toney, Coates, Inc. CEO & president. “Even when a student has everything figured out, it’s still nice for them to hear from a professional who is doing the work every day. Events like this give students a step up, especially when they can ask specific questions.”
To conclude the Blueprint for Success Young Leaders Forum, students were given an opportunity to engage in rapid-fire networking sessions with professionals in small groups or one-on-one. These quick sessions encouraged students to ask their most pressing questions while learning about a wide range of careers available in the Region.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time together, to build relationships, and also to think about the future,” Big Shoulders Fund President and CEO Joshua Hale said. “Students inspire all of us. Their hopes and dreams will make this world better.”
Whether students left with internship information from the professionals they connected with, a better understanding of their own future careers, or even the seed of preparing for college today instead of tomorrow, the Blueprint for Success Young Leaders Forum gave every voice a chance to be nurtured and heard.
"I am absolutely overwhelmed in the best way possible," Jones said. "Seeing the excitement from both our industry professionals and scholars is truly inspiring. This event has created powerful, impactful connections that will leave a lasting impression on everyone involved."
To learn more about Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana and the work its team is doing throughout the Region, visitbigshouldersfund.org/northwest-indiana.
