AUBURN â The DeKalb Chamber Partnership, in cooperation with the Community Foundation of DeKalb County, has announced 14 DeKalb County leaders to be the second annual cohort for DeKalb LEADS, a competitive leadership development program started in fall of 2020.
DeKalb LEADS aims to cultivate leaders that are well-informed, well-rounded, and engaged through training, networking, and real-world experience. This premier leadership opportunity will drive positive change and civic engagement in DeKalb County, the chamber said. The nine-month program equips participants to lead, engage, activate, develop and serve (LEADS) the community.
The program exposes emerging and existing community leaders to the issues that face the region while challenging and engaging participants to strengthen the community through service and leadership. With the community as their classroom, participants develop long-lasting relationships with other leaders, discover the inner workings of the community a
Lightner has served on the organizationâs design committee as well as several boards across DeKalb County.
âZach is in a great position to carry the momentum of AMS from our previous president, Eldon Byler,â said AMS Executive Director Ann Finchum.
Lightner, a Fort Wayne native, lives in Auburn with his wife, Kristin, and their three children. He graduated from Purdue University with a business management degree and earned his law degree from the Indiana University McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis. He is an attorney at Lightner Law Firm in downtown Auburn.
Lightner is a member of the Lions Club, YMCA of DeKalb County, United Way of DeKalb County, DeKalb Republican Central Committee, Indiana State Bar Board of Governors and Indiana State Bar House of Delegates.