Our Investors
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU
The Northwest Indiana Forum is the regional voice for the business community and premiere source of a full package of services that promote economic development and retention of quality jobs. With more than 160 investor organizations, the Forum’s mission is to increase the broad-based wealth in Northwest Indiana through economic development. Funded by investor contributions and grants, an investment in the Northwest Indiana Forum translates to a direct investment in the 7 county region to support growth and economic innovation.
our goals
Raise the per capita income
Attract + Retain quality investment
Support policy that leads to quality growth
Meet us for coffee, schedule a meeting, or give us a call.
Find out how to join this dynamic group of unrelenting, untiring, unstoppable force for positive change.
Investment levels are based upon business category and size.
219-763-6303
our team
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
HEATHER ENNIS | President & CEO
hennis@nwiforum.org
(219) 763‑6303, extension 180
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 160 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 9 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.
KAY NELSON | Environmental Affairs Director
knelson@nwiforum.org
(219) 763‑6303, extension 186
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:
Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator
EPA Wastewater Expansion Construction Grant Administrator
Brownfield Redevelopment Administrator
Director, Indiana Department of Environmental Management Regional Office
Indiana representative to US EPA Iron & Steel FACA group
Great Lakes compact, Indiana negotiating team member
Great Lakes Commissioner. Appointed by Governor Pence, reappointed by Governor Holcomb
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.
Jennifer Gadzala | Grants Manager
jgadzala@nwiforum.org
(219) 763‑6303, extension 185
Jennifer Gadzala is a graduate of Indiana University Northwest and holds the Indiana Economic Development Course Certification from Ball State University. Gadzala has more than 25 years of experience administering grants with the Town of Chesterton, Coffee Creek Watershed Conservancy and the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission. Jennifer was awarded the 2019 Influential Woman of Northwest Indiana in Government/Economic Development.
Jennifer has been with the NWI Forum Foundation since May of 2022 and serves as the Director of Grants where she oversees the Regional Economic Acceleration & Development Initiative (READI) program for the Northwest Region.
Ashley Jones | Operations Director
ajones@nwiforum.org
(219) 763‑6303, extension 181
Ashley Jones is responsible for sustaining and expanding the Northwest Indiana Forum’s organizational relationships, managing accounting operations, and supporting membership growth and engagement.
Ashley began her career in office administration working for her family’s locally owned electrical contracting business, where she developed a strong foundation in account management and core administrative functions. She later served Porter County as a Juvenile Probation Case Manager, further strengthening her organizational and interpersonal skill sets.
With over a decade of experience in professional office administration, Ashley brings a dependable leadership presence to the Forum’s operations and demonstrates a strong business acumen. She holds a Certificate in Human Resources Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management with IWU, further expanding her expertise in organizational leadership, compliance, and workforce development.
Morgan Payton | Grants & Operations Coordinator
mpayton@nwiforum.org
(219) 763‑6303, extension 190
Morgan Payton graduated from The Media School at Indiana University Bloomington in December of 2022. She received a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a concentration in public relations, a specialization in strategic communications, and a minor in communication and public advocacy.
During her time at Indiana University, Morgan held three internships in the marketing department at Cook Medical and a communications internship at CCB Counseling Services. Following graduation, she worked as a Marketing Communications Specialist at Smithville, a broadband company in Ellettsville, Indiana.
At the Northwest Indiana Forum, Morgan serves as the Grants & Operations Coordinator where she assists with the READI grants.
Olivia Allen | Membership & Marketing Events Director
oallen@nwiforum.org
(219) 763‑6303, extension 183
Olivia Allen is a graduate of Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Management and Marketing with a concentration in International Business in May 2016. While at Purdue, she expanded her global perspective by studying marketing abroad in London through the Foundation for International Education.
Prior to joining the Northwest Indiana Forum, Olivia served as Senior Community Partner and Event Coordinator for American Girl Place Chicago. In that role, she managed community partnerships and a hotel affiliate program, planned and executed more than 100 events annually, and collaborated with Mattel corporate partners to market both events and the flagship location. She also trained and supported event coordinators in New York and Los Angeles.
At the Northwest Indiana Forum, Olivia oversees member and sponsor relations, manages digital platforms and promotional materials, and executes high-impact events that advance the Forum’s mission. In this role, she is instrumental in promoting Northwest Indiana as a premier destination to do business. Olivia works with brand ambassadors to raise awareness of the Forum among regional business investors, and executes marketing strategies that strengthen engagement, visibility, and impact across the Region. She currently serves on the Northwest Indiana Business Magazine Editorial & Business Advisory Board.
Teresa Jarratt | Grants & Operations Coordinator
tjarratt@nwiforum.org
(219) 763‑6303, extension 182
Teresa Jarratt earned her degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and later completed a post-baccalaureate Paralegal Certificate program at Boston University.
She previously served as the Finance and Grants Management Director at The Caring Place in Valparaiso, IN, where she spent nearly five years overseeing finance, grants, human resources, and purchasing. In this capacity, she built valuable relationships with corporations, donors, and other non-profit organizations.
Teresa’s career has also spanned the healthcare and construction industries focusing on accounting and project management while living in both metro Detroit and Northwest Indiana. For the past 15+ years, she has made Northwest Indiana her home and is enthusiastic about contributing to the region’s continued growth.
Teresa plays a key role in supporting the office operations, conducting grant research, and assisting in managing the Forum’s involvement with the READI grants.
Michele Murday Pariso | Environmental and Public Policy Director
mmurday@nwiforum.org
(219) 763‑6303, extension 184
Michele Murday Pariso is an accomplished environmental professional with more than 12 years of experience spanning environmental consulting, regulatory compliance, public service, and project management throughout Indiana. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Ball State University (2013), and a graduate of Leadership Northwest Indiana (LNI43) through The Leadership Institute at Purdue Northwest.
Murday Pariso has been with the NWI Forum since January of 2026 where she serves as Kay Nelon’s successor as the Environmental and Public Policy Director. Prior to her role with the Forum, Murday Pariso served as the Director of the Northwest Regional Office for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) where she oversaw the Lake Michigan programs (including Beach Monitoring Notification Program, Lake Michigan Lakewide Action and Management Plan, and Grand Calumet River Area of Concern), regional operations, and stakeholder engagement throughout Northwest Indiana. Prior to this role, she served as IDEM’s Compliance and Technical Assistance Program representative and Partners for Clean Air coordinator.
Before joining state government, Murday Pariso spent nearly a decade in environmental consulting rising from Field Geologist to Northwest Indiana Branch Manager. In this role, she assisted with managing multidisciplinary teams, business development in Northwest Indiana, and complex environmental investigations and remediation projects ranging from $1,000 to $5 million. Her technical experience includes brownfield redevelopment, subsurface investigations, remedial technology implementation, due diligence, data analysis and regulatory closure.
Her leadership and impact have been widely recognized. Murday Pariso is a recipient of several awards, including:
Empowering Woman of the Year (2024) – Drive Clean Indiana
Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) (2020) – Ball State University Alumni Association
Up-and-Coming Influential Woman of the Year in STEM (2019) – Northwest Indiana Influential Woman’s Association
Henry E. Kane Sr. and Ottilie N. Kane Memorial Award in Recognition of Academic Excellence in Geology (2012) – Ball State University Department of Geological Sciences
Beyond her professional roles, Murday Pariso is deeply engaged in her community. She has served as Environmental Committee Chair for the Northwest Indiana Forum (2020-2022), Board Member and Development Committee Chair for the Dunes Learning Center (2020-2023), and held leadership and ambassador roles with the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, Water for Empowerment, and the Northwest Indiana Influential Women’s Association. Murday also served on the Ball State Geological Sciences Alumni Board from 2013-2023.