David A. Bobilya Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Awarded to Andrea Kendall, MLK Montessori School

Foellinger Foundation presented the 2024 David A. Bobilya Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Award to Andrea Kendall, Board Chair of MLK Montessori School, at a ceremony held in October.

The award, established in honor of former Foellinger Foundation board member and community leader, David Bobilya, recognizes the importance of individual board members in nonprofit organizations in four focus areas—governance, leadership, financial sustainability, and program impact. The award recipient’s nominating organization receives a $25,000 operating grant.

Twenty-two board leaders were nominated in 2024.

MLK Montessori’s mission is to provide quality care and education that fosters a child's natural ability to learn while promoting self-confidence, social and cognitive development, and independence.

“As Board Chair of MLK Montessori School, Ms. Kendall has provided crucial board and program leadership for MLK Montessori School,” said Sam Graves, Foellinger Foundation

Board Chair. “In response to community needs and to strategically create new revenue streams, Andrea championed the expansion of the school to include first through third grade. She also led efforts to diversify and strengthen the board, including recruiting new board members who bring diverse experience and expertise to the organization.”

“Since its founding in 1958 by Helene and Esther Foellinger, the Foundation has supported organizations led by adaptive boards and key staff members that serve Allen County residents with the greatest economic need and least opportunity. Ms. Kendall has exemplified adaptive board leadership by providing strategic guidance and governance that helps create a community where each person has the opportunity to thrive,” said Sarah Strimmenos, Foellinger Foundation’s President and CEO. “We would like to thank all nominees for their commitment to the organizations they serve. We are strengthening our future, together.”

For more information about the award and a full list of nominees, please visit foellinger.org/bobilya-award.

About Foellinger Foundation

Foellinger Foundation is a private, charitable foundation that invests in organizations, programming, and initiatives that serve Allen County citizens with the greatest economic need and least opportunity. The Foundation was created in 1958 by Helene Foellinger, The NewsSentinel publisher from 1936 to 1981, and Esther Foellinger, her mother. Visit foellinger.org for more information.