Emerging Leaders Alliance: 5 Questions with Tiana Maclin

Tiana Maclin, 23, graduated from Manchester University in 2017. She moved to Fort Wayne in the summer of 2017 for her career and is a new member of the ELA. She writes her own music and can play a number of instruments including the guitar, piano, and violin. 

As an emerging leader who are you? 

When I think about leadership and how it applies to me, I don’t necessarily think about taking charge. I feel like I’m the voice for someone that doesn’t have one and I feel like I’m part of something greater. We are all coming from different backgrounds. When I think about the amount of time invested for leaders to move forward, I think our strengths come through based on what is needed. There are situations where I’m outgoing because it is where I need to be and then there are other times when I follow right on point. I go where I need to be and where I can make a difference.

What counties have you lived in?

I have lived in Allen County and Wabash County. Wabash is great because you have that small community and everybody knows everybody. It is very neighborly. I worked at the Honeywell Foundation in Wabash for an internship in 2016. Non-profits are great about getting involved in the community. They brought back light to North Manchester. They put on great shows and help with recognizing the history. It was great being a part of that.

In regard to Allen County, I love big cities but not so big that you get lost in them. Allen County helps you do everything you want to do but allows you to still find important connections like Greater Fort Wayne and the Emerging Leaders Alliance. I feel like you can make something of yourself in this community while still finding solid connections.

What do you love about Northeast Indiana?

I love the opportunities. There are so many professional opportunites available to people from all around. I feel like you can really throw yourself at a lot of options here. I love art and there are always ways for me to play my music here or find inspiration to sketch something. I love Wunderkammer and having access to all of the art and people in that world.

What would you like to see in Northeast Indiana in the future?

I like to bike. I love that they are growing the trails and can’t wait for them to be even more connected. Sometimes, I just want to get out of the front door and get on a trail. It will be great to see others on the trails as they grow. It is great for families, and I enjoy seeing people getting out with the kids. The more connected the trails become the more awesome it will be, and it will be a major asset to the community.

What is something that you have done in Northeast Indiana that you never expected to do?

I didn’t think I’d be as involved as I already am. I am introverted but I feel comfortable speaking and being connected here. That is good, especially for inclusion. I was able to be part of the Greater Fort Wayne's Opportunity on the Edge of Greatness. It was an incredible experience for everyone involved and will really change the future of Northeast Indiana.

by Stephen J. Bailey for the Emerging Leaders Alliance, a program of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership