On-Demand Webinar

Turning the Ship: Creating a Culture of Digital Engagement in Fort Wayne

Educational Credit: 1.25 (APA AICP CM)

Changing direction in government can be like steering a large ship — it requires clear vision, teamwork, and the right tools to stay on course.

This 75-minute webinar uncovers how the award-winning team at the City of Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is navigating the complex waters of government transformation through strong leadership, strategic planning, and a deep commitment to digital accessibility.

Host by Sophia Robison, Practice Lead at Social Pinpoint, joins Dan Baisden, Department Head for the Fort Wayne Department of Neighborhoods, and Kevin Cobb, Engage Fort Wayne Coordinator. Together, they share how Fort Wayne has built robust internal networks that drive continuous improvement in public engagement — working collaboratively across departments and with community leaders, and uncover how the city addresses staff hesitation around new engagement standards, equips teams with the support they need to succeed, and keeps accessibility and digital equity at the heart of every initiative.

You’ll also get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Engage Fort Wayne — the city’s digital community engagement hub. With over 104,000 site visits, more than 3,000 public contributions, and nearly 200 projects launched, the platform was recognized with the 2025 Hoosier Planning Award for Outstanding Outreach and Communication by the Indiana Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). The City also received the APA’s Outstanding Best Practice award for the Historic Northeast 2035 Neighborhood Plan, both of which are led by the Neighborhoods Department.

Engage Fort Wayne exemplifies how thoughtful planning, strong internal alignment, and a commitment to accessible engagement can drive meaningful community change and build enduring public trust.

Key takeaways:

Recognize opportunities for internal change management to build a stronger engagement culture
Learn how to use digital tools to foster collaboration across departments
Strategize ways to address staff resistance and bureaucratic barriers
Discover how digital systems can align goals, empower staff, and deepen community trust

Claim AICP CM Credits Download Slides

Learned a great deal from all of the presenters.

Fantastic presentation. Examples were digestible.

The detail shared was great!! And I appreciated the humorous ship puns!

Practice Lead | Social Pinpoint

Sophia Robison

As North America Practice Lead at Social Pinpoint, Sophia Robison supports and builds a community of best practice in public engagement within the public and non-profit sectors, particularly as it relates to the use of digital technology. Previously, Sophia worked in local government, with the City of Pittsburgh's Department of City Planning and as an Economic Development Planner for the Town of Brookline, MA. She graduated from Cornell University where she received a Master of City and Regional Planning in 2017, and continued training with the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2).

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Department Head | City of Fort Wayne, Department of Neighborhoods

Dan Baisden

Dan Baisden is a professional urban planner and urban sociologist with the City of Fort Wayne's Department of Neighborhoods. Dan spent over a decade in radio broadcast and mass media management all over the US before returning to school for advanced degrees in Urban Sociology, Urban and Regional Planning, and Community and Economic Development. Baisden leads several neighborhood initiatives for the City of Fort Wayne, and has served in leadership positions in economic development, radio broadcasting, non-profit management and community development corporations.

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Engage Fort Wayne Coordinator | City of Fort Wayne, Department of Neighborhoods

Kevin Cobb

Kevin Cobb is the coordinator for Engage Fort Wayne and a Neighborhood Engagement Planner for the city. He joined the city in January 2025 and is excited to navigate and coordinate the digital relationship of the city and neighborhood associations. His previous experience includes working as the Creative Director of a media startup focused on digital newsletters, Digital Director of a marketing agency in Washington, D.C., and as an Art Director for The Washington Post.

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