Ink Notes
Dr. Kristal Walker Joins Sweetwater
Dr. Kristal Walker has been named as Vice President of Employee Wellbeing at Sweetwater. The appointment was announced in Feb. 8.
“A learning, leadership and organizational development veteran with more than 15 years of experience working with high-growth companies, Walker will be responsible for driving various wellness initiatives for Sweetwater's internal brand as well as advancing its people culture strategy,” according to Sweetwater. “She will report to Sweetwater's Chief People Officer (Jeff Ostermann) and will be based out of the company's Fort Wayne campus.
Sweetwater founder and CEO Chuck Surack said that employee wellbeing is the “embodiment of our commitment to caring for our employees.”
“Kristal,” he said, “will not only ensure that our employees have what they need to be professionally successful at Sweetwater, but also that they have access to the people and resources they need to help them be successful in the rest of their life."
“I feel a real connection to the Sweetwater mission of doing the right thing, especially during a time of incredible turmoil and change," said Walker. “In the 15+ years that I've been involved in human capital development, my personal mission has been to help people thrive personally and professionally. I look forward to continuing to build on Sweetwater's incredible mission and fostering an environment that people can thrive in. I truly believe that people are our best asset, and together we will continue to do great things at Sweetwater.”
Accelerate Your Business
There are spots still available for WEOC Women's Business Center’s Launch Women Business Builder (LWBB) Program. Woman-owned tech-enabled startups can apply for cohort seven, which will begin March 31, 2021.
Through the program, companies have also included mobile applications, e-commerce websites, online courseware/programs, subscription programs, databases/analytical tools, and online marketplaces. "Our accelerator experience is a process of intense, rapid, and immersive education aimed at accelerating the lifecycle of innovative companies, compressing years' worth of learning-by-doing into just a few months," said Leslee Hill, WEOC WBC Director.
Find more information at https://theniic.org/wbc/accelerator/.
Essay Contest
The Fort Wayne Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., “Coping with Covid-19 Essay Contest” is accepting applications and essays through March 7.
According to the Deltas. “Covid-19 has turned our lives upside down. It’s no secret that the mental health of others has suffered. The black community has experienced many hardships due to these devastating times. The impact on the black community has undoubtedly impacted you.
“As Seniors, we want to know how you have navigated these difficult times. The stress of school and home life has been added to the challenges faced. We want to celebrate your courage to persevere and cope in the midst of chaos and confusion.” Floretta A. Clancy Memorial Scholarship is currently open and applications are due March 31!
This monetary prize is intended for students in and/or from the Fort Wayne area only.
Find more information online at www.fortwaynedeltas.com.
Welcome to the Fort
Sweetwater has hired drummer and Modern Drummer Magazine columnist Stephen Styles as its new Manager of Training and Development. Styles joins Sweetwater from Chicago, where he recently worked as director of programming at the Musical Arts Institute. He also has his own consulting business, serving non-profit, faith-based and corporate clients.