Patti Hays is Chief Executive Officer responsible for leading the strategic plans necessary to achieve the foundations mission and make its vision for Northeast Indiana a reality. Patti is always actively seeking to create new and innovative opportunities that are inclusive of all members of a community.

With her medical background, support of numerous community initiatives, and previously serving as a long-time AWS Foundation board member, Pattis strength is being able to see the big picture while still focusing on the details needed to realize success. She is as much at ease meeting with community leaders as spending an afternoon with individuals, their families and caregivers to learn more about their dreams and the much-needed support to make those dreams come true.

Born in Ohio and raised in Pittsburgh, she has worked throughout the southeastern US before returning to the Midwest and calling Fort Wayne home. With undergraduate and graduate degrees in Nursing, her work history spans education, direct patient care, hospital administration and strategic consulting. Her three children live outside of Indiana but are Hoosiers at heart, with degrees from Ball State, Purdue, IU and IPFW. Besides the Foundations mission, Patti is a passionate advocate for the region and has served on various boards throughout the years representing issues of health, the arts and regional development.

When free time is available, she and her husband usually spend it with books and a suitcase in hand.