Fort Wayne Summit to Address Northeast Indiana Talent Gap
A regional education and work-based learning summit featuring former Indiana higher education commissioner Teresa Lubbers is set for Monday, November 9, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Adult Education
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The Regional Education and Work-Based Learning Summit in Fort Wayne, hosted by the Don Wood and Questa Education foundations, is set for Monday, November 9, 2026, and is at capacity with nearly 300 attendees expected. Former state senator and Indiana commissioner for higher education Teresa Lubbers, now a senior adviser at the Sagamore Institute, will take part.
Why it matters
The summit follows research released two years ago by the foundations finding that northeast Indiana faces a critical talent shortage, which prompted the formation of a coalition to address it. The event brings regional education and employer stakeholders together to discuss workforce pipelines.
Nearly 300 attendees are expected at the summit, which has reached capacity. Breakout sessions will cover work-based learning and the Learn More Earn More initiative, and the outcomes of those sessions have not yet been reported.
The players
Teresa Lubbers
Teresa Lubbers is a former Indiana commissioner for higher education and state senator who chaired a committee on education and career development, and she is now a senior adviser at the Sagamore Institute.
Don Wood Foundation
The Don Wood Foundation is a northeast Indiana philanthropic organization that co-hosts the summit and co-released the research on the regional talent shortage.
Questa Education Foundation
The Questa Education Foundation is a northeast Indiana education-focused foundation that co-hosts the summit and co-released the research on the regional talent shortage.
The details
Lubbers will hold a fireside-style conversation during the summit, which attendees can supplement by joining breakout sessions on work-based learning and Learn More Earn More. Region 8 Education Service Center and Grow Allen are strategic partners, and the regional accomplishments include three key short-term goals.
Timeline
Two years before November 2026: The Don Wood and Questa Education foundations released research finding a critical talent shortage in northeast Indiana.
Monday, November 9, 2026: The Regional Education and Work-Based Learning Summit is held in Fort Wayne.
Roadmap
Former state education leader Teresa Lubbers, now a senior adviser at the Sagamore Institute, brings a statewide, long-range perspective to a regional workforce conversation. Her role links the northeast Indiana talent-shortage response to broader state-level education and career development policy.
Residents seeking work-based learning or Learn More Earn More opportunities can attend the breakout sessions at the summit. The event is at capacity, so participation depends on availability for the November 9, 2026 date.
The takeaway
Workforce gaps are addressed most effectively when education, employers, and state policy perspectives meet at the regional level. Residents interested in adult learning pathways can track follow-up work from these coalitions.
Further reading
Explore more on Adult Education to see how workforce training connects to regional job pipelines.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.
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