Mark Boyd – Director

Mark Boyd is a Financial Advisor with Summit Financial Group, a private wealth management firm of Northwestern Mutual. He specializes in investment and insurance planning for physicians, dentists, attorneys, and business owners. In addition to individual client work, Summit Financial Group provides comprehensive group benefits consulting for business clients.

Originally from Fort Wayne, Mark is a graduate of Homestead High School and earned his degree from the Indiana University School of Business in Indianapolis. He and his wife, Leanne – a registered nurse with IU Health Family Practice – have three grown children: Chandler, Mitchell, and Parker.

Outside of his professional work, Mark enjoys golf, pickleball, and working in the yard. He has previously served in leadership roles within his church, on his neighborhood HOA board, and as a board member for the Ronald McDonald House.

Dan Michael – Director

Dan Michael is the current CFO for Equity Investment Group and Finback Investment Partners, a diversified family office investment company, where he has served in a similar role for many of its affiliates and portfolio companies.

He has over 15 years of financial accounting experience across funds and large accounting firms.

Prior to joining Finback, Dan was the Head of Finance and Accounting for Blue Vista Capital Management, a private equity investment firm with more than $1 billion in AUM, and Vice President of Finance for the parent of its affiliate, Peak Campus Companies, one the largest student housing companies in the country.  Earlier in his career, Dan was a senior accounting professional with Ernst & Young’s Assurance and Advisory Division.

He holds an MBA from Indiana University and a BS from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

Amos Norman – Director

Amos is the CEO of “A Norman Perspective LLC”, a business he launched in 2022. While representative of the work he has done in other capacities, this business venture has allowed him to put into action his passion and experience in leadership and organizational development. He works to approach multifaceted issues with a strategic mindset. A Norman Perspective offers Executive Level coaching, strategy planning, staff engagement strategies, youth leadership development and organizational training.

Amos Norman has over 20 years of leadership experience that involves a wide variety of positions and nationally established organizations. He was an Executive level staff with the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne for almost eight years. During his time, he worked as a District Executive leading several Y branch Executives in various operational and strategic capacities. He also was Director of Operations with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne for 10 years. Amos’ leadership experience includes community based service such as the City of Fort Wayne’s Planning Commision, Schwab Foundation, and Fort Wayne Trails, to name a few.

Amos received his Bachelors of Social Work from the University of St. Francis and his Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Development from PFW.  He infuses this education with his charisma and God-given talents in everything he does.  He is a coveted leader in our community that continues to be a mentor to countless young people he interacts with on a daily basis.

Heather Herron – Secretary

Heather Herron joined the Sweetwater team in May of 2018. Prior to that, Heather spent 17 years as the evening anchor at Fort Wayne’s CBS affiliate, WANE-TV. Her broadcasting career began in 1990 and she worked at several radio and television stations in Indiana and Michigan as a reporter, producer, and news anchor.

She holds a B.S. in Telecommunications from Ball State University. Her work as a journalist has resulted in several awards, including a Regional Emmy. Heather’s role at Sweetwater capitalizes on her extensive knowledge of media and public relations. She works closely with other members of the Executive Team to showcase the growth of Sweetwater, improve community involvement and engagement, and continue the philanthropic work of Sweetwater and Chuck & Lisa Surack.

Heather has been involved in numerous non-profit agencies. She’s a board member for Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana and the AWS Foundation, and is an active volunteer for the local chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Michael Earls – Treasurer

Michael is a member of BKD National Health Care Group, providing assurance and consulting services for not-for-profit organizations and governmental entities. He also performs audit services in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and advises on issues related to the 340B Drug Discount Program. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, Indiana CPA Society and Healthcare Financial Management Association. He also serves on the boards of Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana, Inc., and the IPFW Doermer School of Business Alumni Council. Michael is a 2003 graduate of distinction from Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, with a B.S. degree in business.

Sherry Grate – Vice President

Sherry serves as the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Ambassador Enterprises and is the strategic leader of the community impact investment team.  The community impact team collaborates with strategic partners to improve quality of life and invests in initiatives that make for strong communities throughout northeast Indiana.

She served as an educator in Indiana for over 30 years in rural, suburban, and urban settings before joining the AE team in December of 2020. Sherry has diverse leadership experiences as a classroom teacher, principal, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction (K-12) and superintendent of schools.  As the strategic leader for community impact investing, these personal and professional experiences align well with pursuing the team’s purpose of building better community.

Sherry’s professional education includes an Education Doctoral Degree & Education Specialist Degree from Ball State University, a Master of Science in Education from IUPUI, and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University.  She currently serves as a board member for the Doden Legacy Trust, Revive Home Brands, Olin B. & Desta Schwab Foundation, and the YMCA of DeKalb County.

She is passionate about continuous personal growth and enjoys coaching and inspiring others in leadership development.  Sherry is a graduate of the Ambassador Institute of Civic Engagement and Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series and is actively engaged with The Policy Circle.

Kelli_Packnett–Director

Kelli Packnett – President

Kelli Packnett is an accomplished educator and community advocate with more than 15 years of experience. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Education & Engagement for Bridge of Grace Ministries in Fort Wayne. Previously, Kelli worked as an educator and instructional coach in Title I schools in Oklahoma City and Fort Wayne.

 In 2016, Kelli was a recipient of Greater Fort Wayne Business People’s Forty Under 40 award.  She currently serves on the boards of Early Childhood Alliance and the Olin B. & Desta Schwab Foundation.  Other community involvement and initiatives include Junior League of Fort Wayne Sustainer and volunteer, TROY Band Together fundraising co-chair and committee member, Bridge the Gap fundraising co-chair, Carriage House Dancing with the Stars participant, and ECA Advocacy Committee Chair.

Kyle Martin

Kyle Martin – Director

Mr. Martin is the President of Accounts/Business Development at Ferguson Advertising, a full-service marketing and communications agency. A graduate of Franklin College with degrees in marketing and computer information systems, Kyle spent more than five years in market research before moving to the agency side. Over the past 10 years, he has provided account management and marketing strategy for businesses in the financial services, entertainment, marine, recreation, aircraft and healthcare industries. Kyle’s specialty is in collaborating with clients on strategies that push the boundaries of traditional methods to engage their audiences in innovative and meaningful ways.