Northwest Indiana Business Spotlight: Leadership Recognition and Healthcare Innovation Drive Regional Growth
Northwest Indiana's business landscape continues to flourish with significant achievements in banking leadership, healthcare education expansion, and professional development initiatives that underscore the region's commitment to economic growth and community engagement.
Banking Excellence Earns Statewide Recognition
The banking sector in Northwest Indiana received statewide recognition when Kristin Pruitt, president of Lake City Bank in Warsaw, was honored with the prestigious 2025 Indiana Bankers Association Woman of the Year award, sponsored by Krieg DeVault LLP, as reported by Building Indiana. The annual award recognizes a woman in banking who excels at her profession, remains active in her community and supports other women to reach their full potential.
Pruitt's leadership extends far beyond traditional banking responsibilities. During the pandemic, she served as chair of her local Boys and Girls Club and worked with staff leadership to ensure no employees lost their jobs while creating innovative all-day programs to help children with e-learning. The results were remarkable — students who participated in the program improved 84% in math and 108% in reading on average, Building Indiana noted.
"Kristin's knowledge and abilities as a banker are unquestionable, but even more importantly, her ability to lead, bring teams together, build consensus and empower others is extraordinary," one of her nominators said, according to Building Indiana.
Her extensive community involvement includes serving on the boards of the Riley Children's Foundation, Community Investment Fund of Indiana, Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority, Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, and Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County. This year, her leadership within the banking industry gained further recognition with her appointment to the board of directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
David M. Findlay, chairman and CEO of Lake City Bank, emphasized Pruitt's impact on the organization and broader community. "Kristin is an exceptional leader and her work at Lake City Bank has truly been impactful. She's been a terrific partner and mentor to everyone at the bank and leads by example," Findlay stated in the Building Indiana report.
Pruitt's educational background includes a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and a juris doctor degree magna cum laude from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, credentials that have underpinned her successful career trajectory.
Healthcare Education Sector Expands Statewide Reach
The healthcare education sector in Northwest Indiana has experienced significant growth, with Legacy Medical Academy, formerly known as Legacy CNA Training, unveiling a comprehensive rebranding initiative that reflects its expanded role in healthcare education across Indiana, Building Indiana announced.
Matt Presley, president and chief education officer of Legacy Medical Academy, explained the strategic reasoning behind the transformation. "This rebranding represents not just a new name, but a renewed vision to provide accessible, workforce-aligned healthcare training to communities across Indiana," Presley declared. "We're no longer just training CNAs. We're creating flexible, accessible pathways for students and career changers to step into meaningful healthcare roles."
The academy operates training sites in Mishawaka, Carmel, and Fort Wayne, with programs that now extend beyond Certified Nursing Assistant training to include Qualified Medication Aide, Insulin Administration, and CPR certifications. This expanded scope addresses the growing demand for diverse healthcare professionals throughout the region.
Legacy Medical Academy has demonstrated impressive growth metrics, expanding from serving a small group of students to more than 300 high school students across multiple schools in the past year alone. This expansion has been facilitated through Indiana's Career Scholarship Account program, which provides opportunities for high school students to earn healthcare credentials while completing their secondary education.
The academy's impact on workforce development is substantial. Since 2014, Legacy has prepared more than 5,000 individuals for caregiving careers, Building Indiana reported. Students routinely secure employment opportunities in long-term care, acute care, and home care settings, while high school graduates use their CNA credentials and direct patient care experience to position themselves for entry into post-secondary nursing programs.
"This new chapter allows us to better highlight those achievements, connect with future students, and continue responding to Indiana's growing demand for healthcare workers," Presley added, emphasizing the academy's role in addressing critical workforce shortages.
Professional Development Takes Center Stage
The region's commitment to professional development was showcased at the 2025 Professional Women's Conference, which drew over 500 attendees to explore leadership dynamics in today's evolving business environment, Building Indiana detailed. The event, held at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa in Michigan City, was presented by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association and sponsored by ArcelorMittal and ArcelorMittal Global Research and Development.
The conference featured a diverse lineup of speakers addressing critical professional development topics. Life strategist Elyssa Smith delivered the opening keynote, "Permission to Be You: From People-Pleasing to Powerful," focusing on self-empowerment and authentic leadership. Speaker and author Shereen Thor provided actionable strategies for women to lead effectively in challenging environments, while speaker and author Kory M. Shrum challenged attendees to redefine success by pursuing their goals without experiencing burnout.
The event's breakout sessions covered contemporary professional challenges including artificial intelligence integration for career advancement, time management, stress reduction, decision-making strategies, and personal branding enhancement. These sessions were led by industry experts including Gloria Morris, Valentine Torres, Tradara McLaurine, Morgan Davis, Logan Secrist, Andie Hines-Lagemann, Anna Gomez, and Tiff Arcella.
Andrea Pearman, executive director of NWIIWA, reflected on the conference's significance for regional professional development. "One of the key takeaways from this year's event is the reminder that leadership is more than a title. It is a commitment to not only our own growth but to the courage to help others as we rise," Pearman observed, according to Building Indiana.
Regional Impact and Economic Implications
These developments collectively demonstrate Northwest Indiana's strengthening position as a regional business hub. The recognition of banking leadership through Pruitt's award highlights the sector's commitment to community engagement and professional excellence. Her appointment to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago board provides Northwest Indiana with valuable representation in national banking policy discussions.
The healthcare education expansion addresses critical workforce development needs that extend beyond regional boundaries. With healthcare worker shortages affecting communities nationwide, Legacy Medical Academy's growth model provides a template for addressing these challenges through accessible, comprehensive training programs.
The Professional Women's Conference underscores the region's commitment to fostering inclusive professional development opportunities. The event's substantial attendance demonstrates strong regional engagement in professional growth initiatives, while the corporate sponsorship from major employers like ArcelorMittal indicates ongoing business community investment in workforce development.
These initiatives collectively position Northwest Indiana as a region prioritizing leadership development, workforce training, and community engagement — factors that contribute significantly to long-term economic sustainability and growth. The interconnected nature of these developments, spanning financial services, healthcare, and professional development, creates a foundation for continued regional prosperity and business attraction.
The region's ability to produce leaders who gain statewide and national recognition, while simultaneously addressing critical workforce needs and fostering professional development, demonstrates a mature business ecosystem capable of competing effectively in today's economic environment.
