Empowering Northwest Indiana
One Region is a dynamic network of executive leaders dedicated to driving positive change in Northwest Indiana. Our Mission is to bring together talent, ideas, and resources to create a thriving and inclusive community. With a clear vision for the future, we are committed to fostering innovation, collaboration, and economic growth in the region.
Our Journey
From Industrial Powerhouse to Modern Innovator
Founded to address Northwest Indiana's unique challenges, One Region emerged during the manufacturing boom fueled by the area's abundant natural resources. As traditional industries waned, we began leading efforts to diversify the economy and promote sustainable growth. Today, we leverage our proximity to Chicago to inform policy and champion local development, driving transformative initiatives that contribute to the region's continued growth and improved quality of life.
Our Mission
Driving Growth and Prosperity
Driving Population Growth
Leveraging infrastructure improvements like the Double Track and West Lake Corridor expansions, we focus on transit-oriented development to make Northwest Indiana a premier destination for businesses and families.
Increasing Household Incomes
We support high-growth industry clusters, advocate for higher wages and job quality, and drive economic diversification to boost the regional tax base and ensure economic growth benefits all residents.
Catalytic Investments
By uniting public and private sectors, we secure funding to enhance key infrastructure, transportation, and community development. This collaborative approach strengthens regional identity, attracts further investment, and drives meaningful impact in our community.
Our Impact
Economic Development
Job Creation
Strategic initiatives and partnerships leading to increased investment and job opportunities.
Enhanced Infrastructure
Making Northwest Indiana more attractive to businesses and residents.
Community Well-being
Improved Services
Comprehensive planning has improved access to services and public spaces.
Better Connectivity
Ensuring our communities thrive through enhanced connectivity.
Policy Influence
Advocacy
Actively influencing local, state, and federal policies to support business growth.
Proactive Engagement
Championing the region’s economic interests for long-term prosperity.
A Message From the CEO
Welcome to One Region,
One Region was founded on a simple conviction: the Calumet Region’s most consequential challenges and opportunities cannot be addressed by any one institution, sector, or community acting alone.
Our organization brings together senior leaders from business, higher education, philanthropy, government, and the civic sector to advance the long-term social and economic well-being of the Calumet Region. We provide a civic forum for candid dialogue, build alignment around shared priorities, and organize collective action on initiatives that drive generational impact.
This work demands patience, discipline, and a willingness to look beyond institutional and geographic boundaries. It also requires leaders prepared to invest their time, influence, and resources in the future of the region as a whole.
One Region is focused on the issues that will shape our communities for generations: economic competitiveness, infrastructure, innovation, talent, quality of place, and stronger connections across the greater Chicago area. Our role is to help leaders act together where collaboration can achieve what individual efforts cannot.
The Region has entered a period of significant change. The decisions made now will influence who benefits from that change, how effectively we compete, and what kind of place we leave to those who follow us.
It is a privilege to work alongside the leaders committed to that responsibility.
Warm regards,
Matthew Wells
President & CEO
One Region
Leadership Profiles
CO-CHAIR
Matthew Wells
President & CEO · One Region
Matthew Wells is President and CEO of One Region, a CEO-led civic and economic development organization advancing growth across Northwest Indiana and the Greater South Shore of Lake Michigan, and Chief Engagement Officer at Purdue University Northwest, where he serves on the Chancellor's Cabinet and leads government relations and public-private partnerships. He directs the Greater South Shore Initiative, a 90-mile, multi-jurisdictional corridor strategy, secured more than $3 million to assemble its national advisory team, and launched a $50 million impact investment fund through One Region Trust Company. He has advocated for the corridor at the White House, speaks on U.S. economic competitiveness at forums including the Concordia Summit and the Global Quantum Forum, and holds degrees from Indiana University and Valparaiso University.
CO-CHAIR
Alejandra Castillo
Senior Advisor · One Region
Alejandra Y. Castillo is a Senior Advisor to One Region and Co-Chair of the Greater South Shore Initiative. From 2021 to 2024 she served as U.S.Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development — the first woman of color to hold the post — leading the Economic Development Administration through more than $6 billion in place-based investment. A leader under three presidents, she previously served as CEO of YWCA USA and National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency, and is now Chancellor Senior Fellow for Economic Development at Purdue University Northwest. She holds degrees from Stony Brook University, the LBJ School at UT Austin, and American University's Washington College of Law.
TEAM LEAD – PLANNING & DESIGN
Richard A. Wilson
Director, City Design Practice · Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
Richard A. Wilson directs the City Design Practice at Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, bringing more than 30 years of experience master-planning and revitalizing large-scale urban districts, waterfronts, and corridors worldwide. His work includes the Chicago Central Area Action Plan, the Chicago Riverwalk Main Branch Framework, Pullman National Monument, the United Nations Headquarters master plan, and World Expo2020 Dubai. He serves on the boards of Lambda Alpha International, Friends of the Chicago River, and the Historic Pullman Foundation, and holds degrees from the University of Arkansas and the University of Memphis.
ENGINEERING & INFRASTRUCTURE ANALYSIS
Panji Grainger
Partner & US Commercial Sector Lead · Buro Happold
Panji Grainger is a partner at Buro Happold, the international consultancy of engineers, designers, and advisors, with more than 20 years of experience leading complex, multidisciplinary design projects. An MEP team leader, he served on site for the London 2012 Olympic Stadium and has delivered high-profile stadiums, towers, and mixed-use developments across the United Kingdom, Italy, Russia, India, Malaysia, and the United States. He is known for innovative yet practical solutions that strengthen the performance, sustainability, and economic feasibility of landmark projects.
SENIOR ADVISOR
Kenny McDonald
Founder, Little Dry Consulting · Former President & CEO, One Columbus
Kenny McDonald, CEcD, FDIP, is founder of Little Dry Consulting, advising companies, communities, and economic-development organizations onsite selection, competitiveness, and long-term growth. He previously spent 15 years as president and CEO of One Columbus, which he built from its 2010 launch; during his tenure the organization managed 827 company expansion projects representing more than 80,000 new jobs and nearly $50 billion in capital investment. He brings more than 30 years of experience and joined the Baldrige Foundation's President's Council for Performance Excellence in 2026.
LEGAL & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Thomas A. John
Partner, Public Affairs Strategies Group · Taft
Thomas A. John is a partner in Taft's Public Affairs Strategies Group, focusing on public infrastructure, government procurement, and public-private partnerships as general and advisory counsel to Fortune 500 companies, startups, municipalities, and the State of Indiana. A nationally recognized voice on the P3 model, he has advised on landmark transactions including the Indiana Toll Road Concession and the City of Indianapolis water and wastewater transaction. He combines deep procurement, deal-structuring, and regulatory experience to guide clients through complex infrastructure projects
PUBLIC FINANCE
Seth Miller Gabriel
Principal & Co-Founder · Taft Infrastructure Advisors
Seth Miller Gabriel is a principal and co-founder of Taft Infrastructure Advisors, the Washington, D.C.–based advisory affiliate of Taft focused on innovative infrastructure delivery. A leader in public-private partnerships and project governance for nearly two decades, he served as the first executive director of the District of Columbia's Office of Public-Private Partnerships and has advised governments, organizations, and institutions worldwide on project development policy. He previously co-led BDO's Infrastructure and P3 practice and served as director of programs and initiatives at AIAI, the national P3 trade association, where he remains an Ambassador.
PUBLIC FINANCE
Umer Yaqub
Principal & Co-Founder · Taft Infrastructure Advisors
Umer Yaqub is a principal and co-founder of Taft Infrastructure Advisors, bringing more than 20 years of experience in infrastructure advisory, project finance, and public-private partnerships. He has advised and executed more than 45 infrastructure projects cumulatively valued at over $25 billion, spanning social infrastructure — schools, housing, and hospitals — as well as water, energy, transit, airports, roads, and ports. He advises public-sector clients through the complete transaction lifecycle, from project inception through debt arrangement and project management, and previously co-led BDO's Infrastructure Advisory and P3 practice. He holds an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration.
SENIOR ADVISOR
Darren R. Wells
Former CFO · The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Darren R. Wells is a retired senior executive of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Across nearly 20 years with Goodyear he served twice as executive vice president and chief financial officer — from 2008 to 2013 and again from 2018 to 2022 — and spent two years as president of the company's Europe, Middle East and Africa business. In 2023 he became EVP and chief administrative officer before retiring in February 2024. He currently serves as a director of AMSTED Industries and chairs its audit committee.
MARKETING
Matt Hanson
Principal & Founder · Digital Helium
For nearly three decades, Matt Hanson has built a career turning ideas into growth. An award-winning marketer and owner of media agency Digital Helium, his experience spans Fortune 500 brands to entrepreneurial startups. Matt is also a real estate entrepreneur and marketing professor, with a career grounded in building businesses, developing talent and creating opportunities. He holds his BS degree (marketing) and an MBA from Purdue Northwest.
CREATIVE & DESIGN
John Pobojewski
Partner & Design Director · Span
John Pobojewski is a partner and design director at Span, a Chicago studio crossing the boundaries of communication design. He blends brand, new media, and technology across award-winning identities, web platforms, films, and immersive installations. Named to Newcity's Design 50 in 2022 and 2024 and Print magazine's “New Visual Artists” in 2007, his work appears in the permanent collections of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Letterform Archive. He holds degrees in visual communication and music performance from Northern Illinois University