Get to Know Our Executive Director

With one month complete as Executive Director of Downtown Wabash, Inc., Kristen Petruniw has already begun making waves in our organization. She has brought fresh perspectives, a contagious energy and a wealth of experience to our team. We have loved working with Kristen and getting to know the incredible person she is. Keep reading to find out more about Kristen’s professional background, discover her passion for downtown and enjoy a fun Q & A! 

Passion in Action

Kristen previously worked in the education sector as a School Counselor for Marion Community Schools. Since then, she has been dedicated to investing in her family as well as advocating for our local community. She currently serves as the program director for the Wabash County Blessings in a Backpack program, as well as Vice President of the Wabash City Schools School Board.

Within these roles, Kristen oversees grant funding, spearheads fundraising initiatives, collaborates on community projects and advocates for our community’s student and staff population. She also spent six years as board chairman of the Wabash County Museum Board investing in Downtown Wabash through museum events and programming efforts.

With an impressive background rooted in community involvement, Kristen brings extensive nonprofit expertise in financial management, grant funding and fundraising initiatives to our organization. During her first month, she has shown a dedication to understanding our downtown community at its core. She has been committed to connecting with downtown business owners, delving into meaningful conversations about the trajectory and aspirations of our organization.

Kristen’s approach has conveyed a genuine desire to understand our downtown community while striving to form an atmosphere of collaboration going forward. All the while she has seamlessly been learning the essential functions of her position and preparing to uphold our mission and vision.

Q & A with Kristen

Q: How are you feeling after one month with Downtown Wabash, Inc.?

  • A: Excited! We have been working so hard here this last month on what Downtown Wabash Inc. means to our community and what we are here to do and can help with. We have a lot of new ideas and some old ones that we are working to come to fruition. I am very proud of our team and what we have accomplished this last month.

Q: What have you learned in your first month with Downtown Wabash, Inc.?

  • A: I have learned A LOT! One of my favorite things I have learned is how passionate our community is about downtown. Not to mention how incredibly generous our investors and community leaders are. Everyone has ideas, suggestions and feedback on how to continue to keep our downtown thriving. I love all of the feedback we have gotten and always welcome more!

Q: What has been your favorite part of the Executive Director role so far? 

  • A: My favorite part of my role is getting to speak with all of our investors, partners, merchants, and stakeholders in the community. Working together to help make downtown Wabash even more remarkable than it already is. I am really excited for the future of Wabash!

Q: What is your favorite Downtown Wabash, Inc. event?

  • A: It is so hard to choose just one!  My husband and I love the farmer’s market and being able to purchase local and fresh food for the week. My kids love First Fridays, getting a huge bucket of candy at the Trick or Treat Extravaganza and being able to watch the courthouse lighting at Jingle Jubilee!

Q: What is your favorite thing about Downtown Wabash? 

  • A: My favorite thing about Downtown Wabash is the diversity of offerings we have. Downtown provides a wide variety of stores and restaurants catering to a range of preferences.

Q: Do you have a favorite memory in Downtown Wabash? 

  • A: Private events in the Cloud Club at Charley Creek Inn, a good friend’s wedding reception in the ballroom of The Eagles, concerts and shows with my family and friends at the Honeywell Center and taking my children to the museum (and witnessing the museum’s amazing transformation over the years) have all been experiences that I will never forget!

Q: After one month as Executive Director, what would you say are your big goals / projects for 2024?

  • A: One of the things we are working on is our transition from a membership model to an investor model. Memberships felt exclusive. Here at Downtown Wabash, we want to showcase all the amazing businesses we have in our downtown area. We are hopeful our community will recognize the impact our organization has on downtown and be willing to invest and/or partner with us in our events to help us grow and thrive!

The downtown community has quickly embraced Kristen and our team is eager to see the immense impact her leadership will have on Downtown Wabash, Inc. Her dedication and proactive attitude is set to move our strategic plan initiatives forward. 

“With the hiring of Kristen as our new Executive Director, Downtown Wabash, Inc. is poised to make significant strides in our district, from the river to the rails, in alignment with our 2030 strategic plan” says Downtown Wabash, Inc. Board President, Neil Bever. “The board is excited to join forces with Kristen to cultivate a downtown that thrives for generations to come.”

2024 Board of Directors to Impact Downtown Wabash

Behind the scenes of our lively downtown is a group of innovative visionaries dedicated to economic revitalization and placemaking efforts. Meet our dynamic board of directors who regularly collaborate to shape the future of our downtown community. From advocating for the vibrancy of our streets to ensuring optimization of financial resources, they are essential to upholding our organization’s mission. Each member serves on committees devoted to strategizing initiatives, securing vital grants, and championing for our cherished local businesses, amenities and services. 

The Downtown Wabash, Inc. board of directors is comprised of essential community leaders, business owners and influential downtown advocates. The 2024 board gained two new members who diversify the organization’s leadership in age, industry and qualifications. Incoming board members include Bob Lundquist, Owner of Lundquist Appraisals & Real Estate and Isaias Tactuk, Gebhart Holdings General Manager of Hospitality.

“Our incoming board members are committed to upholding our role as a Main Street America organization, championing revitalization efforts and preserving the heritage of our downtown district” Downtown Wabash, Inc. Board President Neil Bever said. “They bring diverse perspectives to effectively navigate the complexities of our community while staying true to our national mission.” 

Tactuk and Lundquist, alongside returning board members, will serve on one of our four committees following the Main Street Approach™. According to Main Street America, the approach is a “time-tested framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization” with four points within the framework. The framework is centered around Transformation Strategies, which “articulate focused, deliberate paths to revitalizing or strengthening a downtown or commercial district’s economy.”

Downtown Wabash, Inc., a Nationally Accredited Main Street organization in Northeast Indiana, holds four, volunteer-based committees with annual work plans, aligning our organization’s programs, services and revitalization efforts to the Transformation Strategy. The Transformation Strategy focuses on Arts and Culture, including the Wabash Cultural District. Committees include the Design Committee, Economic Vitality Committee, Organization Committee and Promotion Committee. Members of each prospective committee are dedicated to upholding its primary purpose: 

  • ECONOMIC VITALITY focuses on capital, incentives and other economic and financial tools to assist new and existing businesses, catalyze property development and create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators that drive local economies.
  • DESIGN supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the physical and visual assets that set the commercial district apart.
  • ORGANIZATION involves creating a strong foundation for sustainable revitalization effort, including cultivating partnerships, community involvement and resources for the district.
  • PROMOTION positions the downtown as the center of the community and hub of economic activity, while creating a positive image that showcases a community’s unique characteristics.

Our organization’s diverse board of directors is instrumental in defining our direction. Their tireless efforts behind the scenes ensure we stay on track to achieve our vision, for which we are immensely grateful.

“As the new Executive Director, I am excited to work alongside our exceptional board of directors in moving this organization forward in our efforts to enhance our downtown district,” says Kristen Petruniw, Downtown Wabash, Inc. Executive Director. “Their collective wisdom and strategic insight bring opportunities for collaboration and growth for our community. I look forward to working together toward our vision of creating a vibrant downtown district both day and night.”

Please give a warm welcome to our newest board members, and extend gratitude to our returning board members and ex-officio members.

  • Neil Bever, President, Hoosier Chiropractic
    Neil is in his third year on the board and chairs the Organization Committee. He represents the services industry downtown and champion’s our board initiatives.
  • Amanda Lopez, Vice President, Transform Consulting Group
    Amanda, former 2023 board president, is in her fifth year on the board. She provides expertise in organizational management and strategic planning.
  • Erika White, Treasurer, Crossroads Bank
    Erika is in her second year as a board member and serves as the financial expert ensuring optimization of our organization’s resources.
  • Kara Fulmer, Secretary, Honeywell Arts & Entertainment
    Kara is in her fourth year on the board and brings extensive nonprofit and fundraising knowledge to the Organization Committee.
  • Kelli Winer, Kelli Winer Design
    Kelli is in her third year and it is no surprise she serves on the Design Committee with her experience in design and small business management.
  • Jordan Tandy, Downs, Tandy & Petruniw
    Jordan is in his sixth year on the board. He is chairing the Design Committee with past years of Design Committee experience and brings legal expertise to the organization.
  • Noah Roberts, Ford Meter Box Co.
    Noah is in his second year on the board utilizing his business development skills as a community champion.
  • Shane Waters, Arc Light Media
    Shane is serving his second year on the board of directors. He chairs the Promotion Committee bringing his unique knowledge of digital marketing and passion for local history.
  • Cathy Gatchel, Honeywell Arts & Entertainment
    Cathy is returning for her second year on the board and serves on the Promotion Committee. Cathy brings a wealth of fundraising and community knowledge.
  • Bob Lundquist, Lundquist Appraisals & Real Estate
    Bob is entering his first year on the board and is stepping into the role of Economic Vitality Committee chair.
  • Isaias Tactuk, Gebhard Holdings
    Isaias is entering his first year on the board and is enthusiastic about offering the board a downtown restaurant’s perspective.
  • Mayor Scott Long, City of Wabash, Ex-Officio
    Mayor Long is a member of the Economic Vitality Committee and shares relevant information regarding partnerships with the City of Wabash.
  • Tenille Zartman, Grow Wabash County, Ex-Officio
    Tenille is entering her first year serving on the Economic Vitality Committee and is a champion for economic development projects.
  • Christine Flohr, Visit Wabash County, Ex-Officio
    Christine serves on the Design Committee and partners with tourism efforts in Downtown Wabash.