Meet our Team

President & CEO

Matthew Wells

mwells@oneregionnwi.org

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.

Program Outreach Manager

Sara Soneye

sara@oneregionnwi.org

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.    

Board of Directors

• 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
  (Non-Voting Treasurer)