Every great story has a Prologue— that single, defining moment of resilience, choice, or discovery that sets the stage for everything that follows.
Throughout 2026, community leaders will share their personal “prologue“—the powerful moment, realization, or challenge that led to where they are today.
Every story matters. When someone chooses to pick up the phone or walk through our doors, they are starting a new chapter. By sharing these moments, we are showing that courage, choice, and new beginnings are possible for everyone.
What was your prologue?
Aisha Diss
(Founder & Executive Director, project.ME FW, Inc.)
"The prologue to my journey began when years of unmanaged mental health challenges, substance use, and justice involvement finally collided and resulted in a sentence to the Indiana Department of Corrections. Prison was not rehabilitative in the way people often imagine, but it was clarifying. It stripped away denial and forced me to sit with the reality of where my choices and circumstances had led me.
In that space, I came to a simple but life-altering understanding: if I wanted a different life, I would have to do something different. No one was coming to rescue me, and change had to start with my own willingness to take responsibility for my healing.
That lived experience didn’t just shape who I became—it directly led to the creation of project.ME. I built what I once needed: self-guided, nonjudgmental recovery support for people navigating mental health challenges, substance use, and justice involvement. The prologue of my story is rooted in loss and accountability, but it set the foundation for a life committed to radical love, dignity, and making sure others don’t have to walk their hardest chapters alone."
Dave Shadburne
(President & CEO, MidWest America Federal Credit Union)
"The prologue to my journey was finding the courage to be myself, to set my own career and life goals, ask questions, and resist the pressure to simply follow the crowd. It meant establishing my own values and defining success on my own terms, even when those choices weren’t always accepted or appreciated and, at times, created strain in certain relationships. While not easy, that season of conviction led to growth, clarity, and a deeper understanding of what truly matters. It ultimately set the stage for the chapters of life that followed."
Jennifer Kasmier
(Chief Programming Officer, YWCA Northeast Indiana)
"The prologue to my journey was when I finally traded perfection for presence. A rather recent development within the past couple of years and something I continue to work on daily. I am surrendering the heavy roles of the 'perfect' mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, boss, leader, and volunteer to accept the grace of being human. I embrace integrating my worlds, realizing that my leadership belongs in the playroom with my twins as much as the office with my colleagues. By letting go of the pressure to keep up with everyone else, I'm finding that being present is enough to be worthy. I’ve stopped choosing between 'this' or 'that' and finally gave myself permission to be 'and.'"
