The Montgomery County Leadership Academy celebrated 18 graduates of its 2026 Foundations of Leadership Academy during a graduation ceremony Thursday at The Masonic Cornerstone in downtown Crawfordsville.
The six-month academy is a leadership development program for emerging leaders, new managers and professionals. The program helps participants strengthen leadership skills, build relationships across industries and increase their capacity to lead within their organizations and the Montgomery County community.
“Graduation is an opportunity to celebrate how much these leaders have grown over the past six months, but it’s also the beginning of what we hope will be an even greater impact throughout Montgomery County,” said Rachel Wells, MCLA executive director. “These graduates leave the program with stronger leadership skills, new peer relationships and a deeper understanding of the role they can play in strengthening their workplaces and our community.”
As part of the graduation celebration, participants gave group presentations showcasing their leadership skills and the collaborative learning experiences gained throughout the program.
MCLA also recognized the employers, sponsors, facilitators and community partners who supported the 2026 program.
“Our Foundations of Leadership Academy is successful because leadership development is truly a community effort,” said Monica Nagele, MCLA board president, who helped coordinate the academy classes and served as a presenter. “Local organizations invest in their employees, community leaders share their knowledge and experiences, and our participants invest their time and energy into becoming stronger leaders.”
The 2026 Foundations of Leadership Academy graduates are: Brittany Brown, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department; Emma Canfield, Nucor Steel Indiana; Conner Coffin, Lakeside Book Company; Megan Cross, Nucor Towers and Structures; Kourtney Cummings, Lakeside Book Company; Rob Dyer, American Innovation; Dakota Glenn, Crawfordsville Electric and Power; Lucy Moody, Durham Home Foundation; Amy Porter, Industrial Federal Credit Union; Michellen Peterson, Abilities Services Inc.; Kenneth Riley, Lakeside Book Company; Wyatt Snellenbarger, Pace Dairy Foods of Indiana; Lyndsey Sparrow, Crawfordsville Mobile Integrated Health; Angela Vicari, Crawfordsville Audiology; Kiley Watts, Walmart Optical; Kay Whetstone, Democratic Party; Brittany Williams, Nucor Steel Indiana; and Belinda Young, Crawfordsville Area Transportation.
The celebration included lunch and networking with participants, employers, sponsors and community leaders, followed by the graduation ceremony and group presentations. Lunch was catered by The Juniper Spoon, and facilities were donated by The Masonic Cornerstone.
The Montgomery County Leadership Academy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing and mentoring purpose-driven leaders through leadership training, networking and community connections. Founded in 1999, MCLA serves Montgomery County through leadership development, volunteerism and civic engagement. The Foundations of Leadership Academy is MCLA’s signature leadership development program.
