Event organizers surprised by big turnout for Emerging Leaders event at Cool Beans

ByMatthew Crane Reading Time: 3 minutes
Opening Remarks from Steering Committee Members and Executive Supporters Doug Bawel, CEO, Jasper Engines and Mark Schroeder, CEO, German American.

Cool Beans in Huntingburg was filled with young “Emerging Leaders” on Thursday, Jan. 26 attending the premier event facilitated by the Huntingburg Foundation.

A large crowd of "Emerging Leaders" filled Cool Beans on Fourth Street in Huntingburg on Thursday night. The goal according to Huntingburg Foundation Director Brad Ward is to form a group composed of young up and coming individuals wanting to give back to the community in the form of charitable contributions.

Over 70 people were there to mingle and hear opening remarks from Jasper Engines CEO Doug Bawel and German American CEO Mark Schroeder.

Bawel remarked that when Foundation Executive Director Brad Ward approached him about the idea he thought that only ten or eleven individuals may get involved but he was amazed at the turnout that night.

Bawel told a story about meeting with Nascar Legend Richard Petty and how the meeting was so influential in him. In the end Petty told Bawel the best thing he could do is to help others and Bawel challenged the group to do the same.

German American CEO Mark Schroeder stated that as a community focused organization German American is aware that their success is directly tied to the communities they serve and when they were approached as sponsors for the group they immediately jumped on board. Schroeder saw the group’s potential not only as community foundation but also as a great networking group for young professionals.

Foundation Executive Director Brad Ward said he was pleasantly surprised by the response and attendance was larger than he expected but indicates this generation is looking for something to get behind that it views as worthwhile.

“We had a terrific turnout and a lot of good conversation and networking was occurring,” Ward said. “So people were reaching out and connecting with others in their generation.”

The next event isn’t scheduled until May 11 at noon at VUJC, but this group isn’t designed to meet monthly, “We want to meet three to four times a year, two social like the other night and two more instructional,” Ward explained.

The group will begin to look at projects they are interested in to potentially fund in October or November of this year.[hr]Emerging Leaders is designed for young professionals under the age of 45 to give, grant, and connect for as little as $120/yr. Their funds will be pooled together to grant thousands to the community. Impact Today is an attractive option for business leaders who desire to give back $500 annually to support their philanthropic interests.
Interested individuals can find out more and sign up here.

The Emerging Leaders Steering Committee includes:

  • Brian Craig, Woods Printing, Holland
  • Cory Menke, OFS Brands, Huntingburg
  • Andrea Hedinger, Hedinger Beverage, Jasper
  • Cara Ward, BR Associates, Jasper
  • Eric Vollmer, Best Chairs, Ferdinand
  • Derek Bolling, Schmutzler Insurance, Huntingburg
  • Jessica Delorenzo, Vincennes University Jasper, Jasper
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