We Are Fort Wayne

First Fridays is a Northeast Indiana value-added leadership development forum that brings transformational presentations by local leaders and creates opportunities for great community connections.

HISTORY

First Fridays Fort Wayne was founded by brother’s, Jere and Jim Johnson, who wanted to equip area leaders to get better in their personal and professional development. The idea came when the Johnsons sat down for an impromptu lunch during GLS 2017 (Global Leadership Summit). The following week, they met in Jim’s office and the concept became what is now called First Fridays.

The simple goal was to educate, encourage, and empower area leaders by having a Northeast Indiana speaker come share their expertise/story in an on-site forum. November 2017 marked the first meeting held at the Indiana Wesleyan University Fort Wayne Education Center. The NE Indiana Regional Partnership shared their future endeavors to raise the population base within our area by 2030. In 2019, First Fridays outgrew their space with IWU and moved to the Kachmann Auditorium at Lutheran Hospital.

Now in our 10th season, having transitioned to a bigger facility, we are continuing to provide excellent leadership development. Our desire is for someone to come, meet someone new, and learn something new at each event. First Fridays has added valuable content since 2017, including Lunch with a Leader, HI-5 Leadership Conversations, Engage Conferences, and more. Since Season 3, all events are on our First Fridays Fort Wayne YouTube Channel.

From Fall 2023 to Summer 2026, Jarrod Wilson ran First Fridays as the Executive Director.

Starting July 2026, Chrystal Kreiger has been named the new Executive Director of First Fridays Fort Wayne. Jim and Jere Johnson continue as advisors to the leadership team.