As enFocus approaches 12 years in operation, we welcome 12 Fellows to our growing enFocus team. Out of a candidate pool of nearly 200 applicants, we look forward to the work of our new cohort as they solve challenges, drive innovation, and fuel entrepreneurship in our region.
Everything from undergraduate degrees in Sociology to Business Analytics, and Mechanical Engineering to Global Affairs, our Fellow cohort comes from various backgrounds that equip them with experiences and determination to continue improving economic and regional growth.
Our Fellows are excited to explore their careers and the opportunities that await them. Scott Coppa is an enFocus Fellow joining after his time as a United States Peace Corps Community Health Specialist. During his service, Scott started his nonprofit Puente Desarrollo Internacional to effectively “bridge” communities with available resources.
Scott elaborates that he was drawn to enFocus “because of the holistic approach to strengthening communities through collaboration and innovation. enFocus has such a powerful model that touches upon all civic sectors–education, economic opportunities, human services, civic engagement, etc.– and that is unique to find.”
The enFocus model is built to support our Fellows in their professional work. It also provides meaningful opportunities to connect with the region and strengthen their connection with community partners. Alexis Hu, who recently graduated with a Master of Science in Business Analytics, emphasizes the teamwork and collaboration that our nonprofit facilitates.
She continues, “enFocus provides me the opportunity to lead projects, to develop my leadership skills, my communication skills, and problem-solving skills.” Alexis’s excitement to develop her capabilities in an encouraging environment will allow her to explore new ideas, step out of her comfort zone, and gain professional knowledge.
Our new Fellows can already see that the work we do and the talent we cultivate creates lasting impact on the South Bend-Elkhart region. Brian Exner, a South Bend native, expresses that enFocus is building off the great work already being done. He shares, “Our work impacts the community because many of our partner organizations have big ideas, but they may not have the time, energy, or resources to complete the project. That is where we come in–we are providing them with additional time to dig in to do the research and help launch their idea into reality.”
Our incoming fellows like Scott, Alexis, and Brian are committed to developing their professional skills and helping our partner organizations reach their goals. Young entrepreneurs funding startups like Cynthia Mene, engineers who specialize in finding efficiencies for local manufacturers like Raymond Godjali, and others on our team are ready to tackle everyday challenges. We can’t wait to see the work and impact the newest cohort of enFocus Fellows will bring to the table, and how their qualifications will continue to serve the region.
Curious about taking your career to the next level? Look out for next week’s blog that showcases career advancement and development opportunities at enFocus.