Our Team
Program Outreach Manager
SARA SONEYE
Sara joined One Region as Program Outreach Manager in March 2022. She brings over 20+ years of experience working in marketing and communications in corporate, nonprofit, and higher education sectors. This diverse background gives Sara a comprehensive skillset to benefit Northwest Indiana through her expertise in communications, event planning, and creativity.
Most recently, she was a manager for a wholesale fuel provider and was responsible for proactively leading creative ways to streamline processes and procedures. Throughout her career, Sara has served on multiple committees that focus on employee relations and equity, diversity and inclusion.
She also practices lifelong learning and attended Purdue Global and various professional development seminars and workshops to stay current in best practices. During her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children. Her favorite family activity is camping and finding new places to enjoy the great outdoors.
President & CEO
MATTHEW WELLS
Matt Wells is the acting president and CEO of One Region after serving on the board as its treasurer from 2021-2023. He has developed a broad portfolio over the past ten years in a wide range of sectors critical to regional development, including agriculture, banking, healthcare, hospitality & tourism, K-12 and higher education, public & non-profit administration, entrepreneurship, and workforce development.
He serves as a director or advisor for several organizations, including Big Shoulders Fund – Northwest Indiana, Angeles Investors, Society of Innovators, Valparaiso Creative Council, Challenger Learning Center, and the NWI Food Council.
Matt was named as one of the Times of Northwest Indiana’s “20 Under 40” in 2018. He was also a fellow at the Aspen Institute’s Socrates Program in 2021. Matt is a two-time graduate the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, and also completed a master’s degree in counseling and management at Valparaiso University. Matt also serves as an Associate Vice Chancellor at Purdue Northwest, and owns a family counseling practice in Valparaiso. He lives in Valpo with his wife, son, and two dogs.
Board of Directors
Tom Keon
Chancellor of Purdue Northwest (Chair)
Ashley Dickinson
CEO, Northwest Health (Vice Chair)
Robert Johnson, III
President & CEO of Cimcor (Secretary)
Craig Dwight
CEO of Horizon Bank (Chair Emeritus)
Violet Sistovaris
Executive Vice President and Chief Experience Officer, NiSource (ret.)
José Padilla
President of Valparaiso University
Chris White
Publisher of The Times Media Company/ Lee Enterprises
Ben Bochnowski
President & CEO of Peoples Bank
Michael Bergerson
Partner, Barnes & Thornburg
Michael Hooper
President, NIPSCO
Michael Schneider
Wintrust Bank (NIROC Liaison)
Matt Wells
(President, CEO)
