Forging Connections
The Power Lunch series, spanning from August to November, offers three intimate lunchtime sessions. Each session features small groups of emerging leaders meeting with a community leader, fostering candid exchanges and allowing for insightful discussions. Over four months, these consistent interactions enable participants to forge enduring relationships with influential figures in the community.
Benefits
- Learn from a diverse group of community leaders
- Network with young professionals in a variety of fields
Tuition Cost
- $100 for non-YLNI members
- $80 for current YLNI members
Who Should Apply?
- Emerging leaders and professionals
- Potential leaders in corporate, nonprofit, education and health care
- Community volunteers
Our 2025 Power Lunch Community Leaders
Taylor Monaco, Corporate Communications Manager, Fort Wayne Metals
David Leininger, Regional President, STAR Financial Bank
Edwin Chow, Owner, Summit City Climbing Co., The Berry, and Cliff Side Gallery
Taylor Monaco, Corporate Communications Manager, Fort Wayne Metals
Taylor Graves Monaco is a communications strategist driven by a belief in the power of words to build belonging and drive change. With more than 15 years of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors, she has led initiatives that amplify purpose, engage people, and strengthen culture—from high-profile tech market launches to multi-million-dollar branding campaigns. Whether shaping a company’s voice or mentoring a team, Taylor brings curiosity, clarity, and momentum to everything she does—driving business results while staying rooted in authenticity and purpose.
David Leininger, Regional President, STAR Financial Bank
David Leininger currently serves as the Regional President for STAR Financial Bank, headquartered here in Downtown Fort Wayne. He oversees STAR's Commercial and Agricultural Banking presence in Northern Indiana and Northwest Ohio. David grew up in Fort Wayne and is passionate about giving back to the community. He currently serves on the Boards of The League and Community Transportation Network, while also serving on the Advisory Board for the J. Kruse Education Center in Auburn. He and his wife, Holly, have two children; Abel, 13, and Bailey, 7. David is thrilled with the momentum that Fort Wayne has experienced over the past decade and would say that the thing we love most about the area is the vibrant downtown. For his family, downtown has become a destination for entertainment, good food, and community!
Edwin Chow, Owner, Summit City Climbing Co., The Berry, and Cliff Side Gallery
Edwin Chow is a 1LT in the Army National Guard, entrepreneur, community organizer, and Ironman. He’s the founder of Summit City Climbing Co.—Fort Wayne’s first climbing gym—as well as The Berry, a fresh spin on ice cream made with real fruit, and Cliff Side Gallery, a creative space that highlights local artists. Edwin is deeply involved in Fort Wayne’s fitness and wellness scene, leading initiatives like rooftop yoga and social run clubs. He also volunteers with the youth group at City Church. Edwin loves Fort Wayne for its small-town feel paired with big-city energy—a place where people support each other and new ideas can thrive.
**Community leaders interested in being part of the Power Lunch Series should email [email protected] for more information.
Applications for our 2025 Power Lunch Series are now open!
As a former participant in the power lunch program, I highly recommend this to anyone interested! This format is great for the emerging leaders to learn from and build new relationships that they may not have a chance otherwise. These programs also seem to benefit community leaders and provide a chance to engage with a younger demographic and share helpful insights. We found that organic relationships formed well after the lunch series ended, and we continue to stay in touch today.
- Power Lunch Series Participant, 2015
If you have any questions or need more information, contact us via email.