Our Staff


Giovanni Martinez Martini is a young immigrant entrepreneur native of Mexico who currently lives in Fort Wayne. He graduated top of his class from Huntington University with a double major in Accounting and Finance, and a minor in small business management and entrepreneurship. He also has an MBA from Huntington University. He currently works full-time as an investment accountant for Lincoln Financial Group, but his passion lies in entrepreneurship. He founded and co-founded three different ventures: a language service business, a digital marketing company, and an App to explore local bars. He is very passionate about helping guide others and has volunteered many hours to coach early-stage entrepreneurs and young tennis players in high school and college.
Board Members

Sherilyn Emberton
Chairman of the Board
President Emeritus, Huntington University

Marilyn Moran-Townsend
Co-Founder and CEO, CVC Communications
Vice President

John Niederman
Regional Director of Entrepreneurship, Fortitude Fund
Secretary

Allen Brouwer
Commercial Lending Executive, Old National Bank
Treasurer
Aaron Gillum
Senior Vice President, Private Equity Group 50 South Capital Advisors

Scott Glaze
Chairman and CEO, Fort Wayne Metals
Jerry Henry
President, Midwest Pipe and Steel
Sarah Lerner-Mantel
Managing Partner, Roll Tack Ventures, Founded TVP Health, medical startup during Covid

Tyler Mantel
General Partner, Roll Tack Ventures and Founder, 2 startups

Dr. Ann McPherren
Professor of Business and Economics, Dept. Chair and Mentor, Huntington University
Pat Miller
Co-Founder, Vera Bradley; Former Indiana Secretary of Commerce

Fred Nash
President, Main Street Venture
Mike Packnett
Retired CEO, Parkview Health and Board Chair, Love Fort Wayne

Johnny Perez
Serial Restaurant Entrepreneur: Mercado, Spoke + Ivy, Ducky’s, Papi’s Pizza, Te Gusto’ Hospitality

Chris Straw
Founder and President, Team Quality Services, Auburn
Chuck Surack
Chairman of the Board, Sweetwater, and Owner, Surack Enterprises
Sharon Tucker
Mayor, City of Fort Wayne
John Urbahns
President/CEO Greater Fort Wayne Inc.

David Corcoran
Serial Founder, Mentor, and Senior Capstone Adjunct Professor, Trine University
Board Observer

Giovanni Martinez
Entrepreneur in Residence, Fortitude Fund
