Gina Leichty

My Work Experience

Mayor

City of Goshen

Goshen, Indiana (June 2023 – present)

Gina serves as the city’s chief executive officer, overseeing its day-to-day operations and administration. She is also the city’s chief representative and advocate, working to address the needs and concerns of Goshen’s residents and businesses while collaborating with local government departments and agencies to promote the city’s growth and development. Her leadership and decision-making play a crucial role in shaping the quality of life, infrastructure, and economic well-being of the community.

Highlights

Since coming into office, Gina led Goshen’s 20 departments and administrators through strategic planning for the 2024 budget, negotiated with the City’s three city unions, initiated preliminary steps to establish public safety training in partnership with Goshen High School, established a neighborhood liaison team, and taken immediate steps to bolster the City’s technological infrastructure and digital security.

Partner, Chief Executive Officer

Eyedart Creative Studio

Goshen, Indiana (2011 – 2023)

Eyedart Creative Studio is a full-service marketing agency based in Goshen. The company is committed to improving the lives of clients and local communities. Eyedart works with regional educational, nonprofit, event, and corporate clients.

Gina is Eyedart’s Creative Strategist, developing marketing plans for organizations and overseeing their implementation. Gina works with each client to develop a plan customized to suit individual organizational needs, budget, industry, and resources. From planning, she transitions clients into implementation via the Eyedart team, including brand development, graphic and web design, SEO, advertising, grant writing, fundraising, social media management, event management, photography, and videography.

Gina and her Partner and Eyedart founder, Ben Stutzman, seek clients who share their commitment to community enhancement, entrepreneurship, and the creation of innovative products and services.

Highlights

Gina joined Eyedart Creative Studio as a Partner in 2011 to expand the company’s marketing and event production services. Between 2011-2018, she grew company profitability by 370% and increased client portfolio by 317%.

Director Of Communications

Lucid Energy Technology

Goshen, Indiana (2008 – 2011)

Structured Lucid’s public relations, lobbying, and communications strategy. Led all aspects of Lucid’s public affairs.

Highlights

Gina initiated strategic lobbying efforts to build relationships and promote Lucid’s wind and water-powered turbine technologies with state and federal policymakers. Developed print and electronic marketing materials for the company. Cultivated alliances with significant funding organizations to procure investments.

Raised more than $1.5 million writing successful
Federal grants.

Director Of Communications

Terra Group

Nappanee, Indiana (2007 – 2008)

Directed all aspects of Terra Group’s internal and external communications and marketing strategies, including print, web, electronic communication, and media relations.

Highlights

Gina completed and implemented the corporate branding transition. Developed major marketing campaigns to increase sales. Prepared and implemented sales strategies and developed and designed all marketing materials. Conceptualized and implemented successful public relations and media campaigns.

Director of Communications

Keystone RV Company

Goshen, Indiana (2004 – 2007)

Conceptualized and developed an entirely new communications department for a $1.2 billion company.

Gina developed processes and controls to improve communication with consumers and automotive dealers. As director, she supervised staff and all aspects of internal and external print, web, and electronic communications.

Highlights

Coordinated the production of marketing collateral and supervised freelance writers, advertising consultants, project managers, and designers to ensure the company produced all projects on time and within budget constraints. Gina developed a competitive bidding process for printers, saving the company 25% in printing costs in the first year of implementation. She overhauled the corporate website to create a site that became the industry standard and tripled sales leads.

Director of Operations

Goldenrod

Goshen, Indiana (1996 – 2004)

Gina oversaw programs and operations for the residential care facility for 50 adults with developmental disabilities. Supervised over 30 staff members and conducted marketing, fundraising, promotion, and quality assurance activities. She reported directly to the CEO and Board of Directors.

Highlights

Wrote successful grant applications. Served as a representative and public speaker at local and national conventions, church, and civic organizations. Developed curriculum, workshops, and training for staff and volunteers. Redesigned programs to secure state and federal Medicaid funding. Increased the number of clients served to the highest in Goldenrod’s history.

Education

2001

Principles and Techniques of Fundraising

IUPUI School of Philanthropy

Indianapolis, Indiana

1996

Bachelor of Arts, English

Goshen College

Goshen, Indiana

1993

Certificate of Completion, Spanish Immersion Program

Centro Linguistico Conversa

San José, Costa Rica

Spoken Languages

English (fluent)

Spanish (basic level)