
Jake Fetters, jake@fettersconstruction.com (JF); Mandie Kolkman, MandieKolkman@gmail.com (MK); Kyrsten Shepley, kshepley@verabradley.com (KS); Tiffany McIntosh, Tiffany.McIntosh@53.com (TM);
YLNI: Why did you join YLNI?
JF: To get more involved in our community, and further hone my leadership development.
MK- I joined YLNI to get more involved in my new community and to meet young, ambitious individuals in Fort Wayne. My goal is to make strong relationships and potentially life long friendships by finding people with similar interests.
KS: To get more connected with the Fort Wayne community
TM: I decided to join YLNI to become more engaged in the local community while having the opportunity to meet and network with other like minded young professionals.
YLNI: What is your involvement with YLNI?
JF: I volunteered to help with the Social Committee, and applied for the Leadership Institute.
MK: Although I recently became a member, I have already started making relationships and reaching out to other members. I hope to join an event planning team and help put on exciting events for YLNI members.
KS: YLNI Ambassadorship, Social Committee
YLNI: Why did you see the value in a paid membership?
JF: I see value in the community engagement on a multitude of levels, with like-minded & similar aged individuals from a diverse group of corporations and backgrounds, and is worth the investment in time and money in membership in YLNI.
MK: I saw value in being a paid member for both my social life and my career. Paying to be a part of the organization gives me more as a member and it also helps support an organization that is trying to keep young professionals in my new town. It was a win/win.
KS: As a new YLNI Ambassador, I wanted to become an official member to promote the group, etc.
YLNI: Who is your employer?
JF: Fetters Construction Inc.
MK: I work for The Philmore on Broadway. In my free time I teach dance technique classes and both Zumba and Zumba Toning classes at Fort Wayne Ballet, KMonique’s Studio of Dance, and Spiece.
KS: Vera Bradley Designs, Inc.
TM: Fifth Third Bank
YLNI: How long have you been affiliated with the company?
JF: 5 years
MK: I moved to Fort Wayne during the summer of 2012 and started my time with my employers shortly after.
KS: 1 year
TM: I have been affiliated with 5/3 Bank for 2 years as a mortgage loan consultant at our Dupont location. Prior to my position with 5/3, I spent 6.5 years in the same position with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage at the Covington Plaza location.
YLNI: What is your occupation?
JF: Construction Project Manager, President of FCI
MK: I am the Special Events Planner at The Philmore on Broadway.
KS: Recruiting Coordinator
TM: I am a mortgage loan consultant
YLNI: Describe your role within the organization
JF: Overall coordination of company operations with executive oversight of leadership, productivity, integrity, and profitability, including strategic planning and civil/social community reputation, with oversight on business development, and masonry, as well as management of assigned construction projects.
MK: At The Philmore I plan public concerts, manage ticket sales, market and advertise public events, coordinate private events, manage social media, and much more!
KS: I support the Human Resources Recruiting department (team of 7) in most aspects of the interviewing and on-boarding process of new employees across the organization.
TM: I specialize in existing home purchase, new construction, and refinancing. We offer some unique products including low money down, Physician Programs, and one time close construction programs while offering extremely competitive rates.
YLNI: What is your favorite thing about working for them?
JF: Providing a lasting service through the building process to our clients & communities we serve & work in.
MK: The Philmore is a wonderful place to work because it gives me the opportunity to meet people in the community as well as artists in several genres of music. It is a great feeling to enrich the community through art. I love dance for the same reason.
KS: My favorite thing about Vera Bradley is the culture. We work and live by the core values set forth by our co-founders. I also love working for an organization that gives back (Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research). Being around such beautiful products doesn’t hurt either!
TM: My favorite thing about my position is being able to assist individuals with the American dream of home ownership by leveraging my experience and education to provide my client with concierge level customer service.
YLNI: How long have you lived in northeast Indiana?
JF: The short answer is 23 years. I was born in DeKalb Hospital and grew up in St. Joe Indiana, until I left for Purdue University at 18. I spent nine years away at Purdue, interning in Chicago, and later working in the Phoenix area. My wife and I moved back in 2007 to be close to family and raise our children.
MK: I am originally from Louisiana. I moved to Indiana to attend Butler University in 2006. I stayed in Indianapolis for two years and moved to Fort Wayne a couple of months ago. I guess I’ve been a northerner now for about 6 ½ years, but am only 7 months into living in northeast Indiana.
KS: 1 year
TM: While I have spent over 10 years in the Fort Wayne markets professionally, I have always lived in Ohio where I grew up. We are excitedly in the process of relocating to Fort Wayne finally! It is such an exciting time for me to get involved, meet new people, and be able to contribute to my “new” local community.
YLNI: What appeals to you most about northeast Indiana?
JF: The thing that appeals to me most are our Midwestern values – God, Family, and Work. Our religious and educational strengths, with close family ties, and a great work ethic are something I felt were very important for my family to be immersed in to help my children succeed in the future.
MK: The people in northeast Indiana and seem very friendly and accepting. I’ve also heard that it is a great place to raise a family.
KS: I love the friendliness of the Midwest!