WC Leads Announces 2026 Cohort

​Richmond, Ind. – HYPE Wayne County (Helping Young Professionals Engage), an action committee of the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce, is excited to announce the sixth cohort of WC Leads.
WC Leads is a leadership academy created in 2021 for young professionals ages 21–40. The four-month program focuses on key leadership topics including program development, project management, emotional intelligence, communication and team building. Each cohort member is also matched with a community leader who serves as a mentor throughout the program.
The 2026 cohort will kick off with its first in-person event on September 25, featuring a special experience designed to bring participants together, build connections and set the stage for the months ahead. WC Leads graduates will be recognized at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner in January 2027.
This year’s participants represent a variety of career levels and industries across the community, from nonprofit and healthcare to finance, construction and higher education. Meet the members of the sixth WC Leads cohort:

• Maya Ballard – Bethany Theological Seminary
• Garrett Blevins – Dot Foods
• Cade Brubaker – Brady Ware
• Cassidy Frame – Whitewater Eye Center
• Nicolas Quijano Franco – Earlham College
• Elizabeth Gwinn – Reid Health
• Alexis Harmon – Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce
• Sarah McCashland – Wayne County Family Resource Center
• Bailey Owens – Ivy Tech
• Kyle Slaven – Whisenhunt Construction
• Jeff Walter – Indiana Farm Bureau
• Casey Whipple – Wayne Bank

“WC Leads gives young professionals the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills and build meaningful connections throughout Wayne County,” said Shawntel Baker, Director of Employer Engagement at the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’re excited to welcome this year’s cohort and watch them grow as leaders in our community.”

HYPE Wayne County