Innovate Northwest Indiana - Valparaiso

Wade Breitzke is the Founder and CEO of WeCreate, a marketing agency built around the power of storytelling and the drive to make a difference. With more than a decade of experience, he has led WeCreate to become a trusted partner in elevating brands, communities, and causes. His entrepreneurial journey was recognized early when he was named Indiana’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. More recently, he was honored as Small Business Advocate of the Year for his continued leadership and community impact. Wade’s insights have been featured in Forbes, USA Today, Business Insider, and the Chicago Tribune. At the heart of his work is a commitment to people and uncovering the stories that matter and using them to fuel growth, innovation, and lasting change.

Proud husband, father to two kids. Enjoys sports, weightlifting, travel, food and volunteering. Leadership philosophy emphasizes teamwork, trust, making decisions at the right level, fostering a learning environment, and developing our people to their full potential. Penn State grad with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and an MBA from Tulane University. Worked in the oil and gas industry since 2002 in various roles including: Unit Engineer, Engineering Supervisor, Department Manager, Business Development, and now Refinery VP.

Erica Dombey is the President of the Regional Development Company, which is a Certified Development Company which processes United States Small Business Administration 504 Program loans. In 2024 she created the Northwest Indiana Regional Growth Fund, a community revolving loan fund serving the seven-county region in Northwest Indiana. She had 10 years’ commercial banking experience prior to joining the RDC in 2007.  Erica has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Indiana University Northwest and further accreditation in credit analysis, commercial lending and SBA lending.  

She is an active leader in several non-profit organizations throughout the region including the Northwest Indiana Forum, Lake County Indiana Economic Alliance, Founding Board Chair for the Northwest Indiana Influential Women’s Association and Advisory Board Member for the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center.  She has been the recipient of several awards, including the Burton Ruby Award for Community Service, Influential Woman of the Year in Government and Small Business Advocate of the Year.  She has also been recognized as an innovator by the Society of Innovators for her work on the IGNITE regional strategic plan.

Erica resides in Valparaiso, IN with her two sons, two dogs, two snakes and one cat. She is a trained Severe Weather Spotter for the National Weather Service and enjoys off-the-wall adventures while traveling the country with her kids.

Heather Ennis is President and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum, a privately held nonprofit organization focused on creating economic development opportunities for the seven-county region. With more than 130 members, the Forum works to create a positive business climate promoting investment, quality job creation and retention in harmony with the environment and critical components of a sustainable regional economy. Funded by membership contributions and grants, Forum membership translates into a direct investment in the region’s future.

In her 9 years with the Forum, Heather has worked to build a coalition of regional partners focused on transforming the Northwest Indiana economic landscape; focusing on key performance indicators of population growth, increase in capital investment and per capita income growth. She is a registered lobbyist and has spent hundreds of hours advocating for economic development tools.

Previously as President of the Duneland Chamber of Commerce, she led an organization committed to improving the quality of life and breadth of economic opportunity within the five lakefront municipalities of Beverly Shores, Burns Harbor, Chesterton, Dune Acres and Porter.

Ennis is more than just a community leader, she serves as a catalytic voice for her constituents on a state and regional level as a member of the Indiana Economic Development Association Board and Legislative Committee, Metro Chambers Coalition, Indiana Vision 2025+, Indiana Defense Task Force, Indiana Chamber Workforce Advisory Council, 21st Century Talent Region Partner, Northwest Medical Board, Autonomous Vehicle Challenge Committee,  Unity Way of Northwest Indiana Board, Porter County Community Foundation Grant Committee and Champion of Ignite the Region.

Ennis credits her husband and son as the source of

On Dec. 2, 2020, José D. Padilla, J.D., was announced as Valparaiso University’s 19th president. A dynamic thinker, and natural leader, President Padilla brings many skills, experiences, and accomplishments in higher education that are ideally suited to the University’s needs today and in the future.

President Padilla is a strong believer in service and regularly puts his faith into action. He combines service and faith with wisdom to ensure that Valpo graduates are learned and spiritual men and women who become force multipliers in their professions and communities.

President Padilla joined Valpo as the culmination of a long and successful career in higher education. He served as vice president, university counsel, and secretary of the University of Colorado System. Previously he served 15 years in senior leadership roles at DePaul University in Chicago, the most recent as vice president, general counsel, and secretary.

He began his career practicing law, but found his vocation to serve his country, fellow citizens, and university students through his roles in higher education. He also performed public service in Washington, D.C. He served as a legislative assistant to United States Senator Lloyd Bentsen (D-Tx) and as a senior political appointee in the administration of President Bill Clinton.

President Padilla received his bachelor of education in elementary education from The University of Toledo and his juris doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School.

He currently is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Missouri Valley Conference and is a member of the following boards: The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities; Campus Compact; and One Region (Indiana).

President Padilla’s professional affiliations include the D.C. Bar Association, and the National Association of College and University Attorneys where he was Chairman of the Board of Directors. He previously sat on the Board of Trustees for St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkhill, New York which awarded him an honorary degree.

He was named to the Notable General Counsels list by Crain’s Chicago Business in 2019, which recognized those who made a significant impact within the Chicago business community. President Padilla was also included in the “Who Is Who in Hispanic Chicago” list of Negocios Now in 2016, 2017, and 2019. In 2010, he was named one of 100 influential Hispanics in Hispanic Business magazine.

President Padilla was born in Augsburg, Germany, on a U.S. Army base. He was raised in Toledo, Ohio.

He met his wife, Hilda, at a fundraiser in Chicago, and the two were married in 1986. Hilda is a real estate broker and entrepreneur. They have two grown children, Jacob and Camille.

In his free time, President Padilla enjoys working out, writing, reading, fly fishing, watching historical shows and movies, and spending time with his dog, Coach.