The Forum’s team is focused on economic development and the prosperity of business/industry in our dynamic market by providing customer-focused services designed to meet your unique needs. The Forum welcomes the opportunity to work with you and make a compelling case for locating or expanding in Northwest Indiana. We serve to foster economic growth and diversity for the region.

HEATHER ENNIS | President & CEO
hennis@nwiforum.org

Heather Ennis is President and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum, a privately held nonprofit organization focused on creating economic development opportunities for the seven-county region. With more than 130 members, the Forum works to create a positive business climate promoting investment, quality job creation and retention in harmony with the environment and critical components of a sustainable regional economy. Funded by membership contributions and grants, Forum membership translates into a direct investment in the region’s future.

In her 7 years with the Forum, Heather has worked to build a coalition of regional partners focused on transforming the Northwest Indiana economic landscape; focusing on key performance indicators of population growth, increase in capital investment and per capita income growth. She is a registered lobbyist and has spent hundreds of hours advocating for economic development tools.

Previously as President of the Duneland Chamber of Commerce, she led an organization committed to improving the quality of life and breadth of economic opportunity within the five lakefront municipalities of Beverly Shores, Burns Harbor, Chesterton, Dune Acres and Porter.

Ennis is more than just a community leader, she serves as a catalytic voice for her constituents on a state and regional level as a member of the Indiana Economic Development Association Board and Legislative Committee, Metro Chambers Coalition, Indiana Vision 2025+, Indiana Defense Task Force, Indiana Chamber Workforce Advisory Council, 21st Century Talent Region Partner, Northwest Medical Board, Autonomous Vehicle Challenge Committee,  Unity Way of Northwest Indiana Board, Porter County Community Foundation Grant Committee and Champion of Ignite the Region.

Ennis credits her husband and son as the source of her passion for local community building and regional economic development. After working nationally for several years, she made a firm commitment to raise her family in Northwest Indiana – a region she is doing her part to strengthen for the next generation. 

KATIE R. HOLDERBY | Marketing & Membership Director
kholderby@nwiforum.org

Katie Holderby serves as the Marketing & Membership Director for the Northwest Indiana Forum. In her role at the Forum, she partners with local economic development professionals and organizational leadership to exemplify the message that Northwest Indiana as THE place to do business. By leveraging local partnerships, Katie is able to market the region as a whole to commercial brokers, site selectors and businesses.
A graduate of Purdue University, she gained her marketing, administrative and event planning experience through her long tenure at the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority where she spent more than 25 years in various roles.
Holderby serves on the Board of Directors for the Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce and previously on the Indiana State Festival Association and the Indiana Ballet Theatre. She is proud to call Crown Point home along with her husband, Dan, a 3rd generation farmer in Northwest Indiana, and her two grown children Reagan and Mitchell.

KAY NELSON | Environmental Affairs Director
knelson@nwiforum.org

Kay Nelson is a 1977 graduate of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the School of Agriculture in Natural Resources and Environmental Science. In the pursuit of her degree, Ms. Nelson focused upon water quality issues.
During the course of her career, Kay’s roles have included:

1. Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator

2. EPA Wastewater Expansion Construction Grant Administrator

3. Brownfield Redevelopment Administrator

4. Director, Indiana Department of Environmental Management Regional Office

5. Indiana representative to US EPA Iron & Steel FACA group

6. Great Lakes compact, Indiana negotiating team member

7. Great Lakes Commissioner. Appointed by Governor Pence, reappointed by Governor Holcomb

8. VW Trust Fund Settlement Board member. Appointed by Governor Holcomb

Ms. Nelson joined the Northwest Indiana Forum in 1998. Recognizing the integral relationship between economic development and environmental protection, Ms. Nelson’s role with the Northwest Indiana Forum is diverse. She is an active participant during the new and/or expanding business process – working to assist understanding by the community at large of the impact and importance of economic development. Working on environmental issues affecting existing members, Ms. Nelson provides a forum whereby regional position papers are developed. In this process, Ms. Nelson represents the business community in discussions with environmental and community stakeholders to develop understanding and often consensus on issues of regional, state and international importance. The successful passage of Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 45, the adoption of the Great Lakes Compact, as signed by Governor Mitch Daniels on February 20, 2008 reflects this unique collaboration Ms. Nelson works to affect.
In recognition of her Great Lakes Compact work, Ms. Nelson was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Mitch Daniels.
Ms. Nelson was awarded the 2014 Influential Woman of Northwest Indiana in Economic Development award.