Design thinking isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about designing solutions with people at the center. By shifting from a problem-focused mindset to a user-first approach, teams can unlock creativity, improve adoption, and drive more meaningful, lasting innovation.

Sometimes innovation starts with a small spark—in this case, a barcode at a grocery store. Through prototyping and collaboration, an enFocus Fellow transformed that spark into a digital tool that helped a manufacturing partner streamline production, uncover insights, and embrace a new approach to efficiency.

Innovation isn’t just about launching something new; it’s about adapting, learning, and finding progress in unexpected places. When faced with uncertainty, the enFocus team turned potential setbacks into opportunities to build resilience and lasting impact.

Finding “home” can mean more than just a place; it can be a community, a purpose, and the people who help you grow. For one enFocus Fellow-turned-Engineer, South Bend became all three, shaping both a career in innovation and a sense of belonging that turned a city into home.

Discover the essential leadership skills future leaders need and how the enFocus Fellowship builds adaptability and tech-ready problem-solving.

Get a glimpse into a typical day as an Industry Innovation Fellow at enFocus — where collaboration, creativity, and continuous learning come together to drive impact and professional growth.

A day as a Civic Innovation Fellow is never the same—Leah shares how her work at enFocus blends collaboration, professional growth, and community impact with the flexibility to enjoy life in South Bend.

Read how supporting the City of Elkhart’s Lead Abatement Capacity Building Grant gave Ryan a new perspective on the public sector, revealing both the challenges of shifting priorities and the power of community buy-in.

At the end of the day, communicating big ideas isn’t about dumbing things down—it’s about making them accessible. Whether you’re talking with executives, coworkers, or family, the key is to meet people where they are, adjust your style, and guide them through the idea with clarity and intention. When you do, your ideas don’t just land—they stick.

At enFocus, professional development goes beyond training, it’s about building skills for social impact. Fellows gain hands-on experience in industries like healthcare, education, and local government while developing expertise in project management, data analytics, and communication.

In this Lessons that Last post, Dani reflects on how conducting interviews became more than just a data-gathering exercise—it was a lesson in listening, connecting, and facilitating meaningful conversations.

Last summer, I set out on a new professional goal. As a data analyst, I had worked with cloud-based tools like Google Colab and Databricks for data analysis and machine learning. Still, I didn’t fully understand the broader cloud ecosystem or what happens “behind the scenes.”

… Learning in a classroom is one thing, but applying that learning to high-impact, real-world situations is something else entirely. Nothing compares to leading the design of a survey where the results will directly influence funding and social outcomes.

An enFocus Fellow reflects on building skills through Citywide Classroom, digital equity work, and professional development that extends beyond the project.

Through DataCamp’s Data Analyst in Power BI career track, Bingjie transformed his foundational Power BI skills into advanced capabilities that directly impacted his work with a nonprofit client. He built over 20 dashboards to visualize program usage, track KPIs, and streamline grant reporting—ultimately saving the team over 20% in operational costs. This experience not only deepened his passion for data-driven impact in the nonprofit sector but also prepared him to pursue Power BI certification with confidence.

South Bend has been a home to my family for generations, it’s given us a place to not only live, but to be a part of a community. I was raised on the south side of town, just a few blocks north of the Scottsdale Mall (yes, you’re old if you remember this place) and on the east side of Mishawaka by Penn High School. I chose to go to school locally at Indiana University South Bend because of the community around me. By the time I started college, the South Bend I was raised in had changed drastically. The city felt alive again, for the first time in a long time it felt like it had a heart beat, and I wanted to be a part of it. 

From childhood tap lessons to competing in Dancing With Our Stars, Melissa’s love for dance has come full circle. The South Bend-Elkhart region offers a thriving arts and dance community, from classes at Forever Dance Studio to stunning performances at the Morris Performing Arts Center. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned dancer, opportunities abound for learning, performing, and connecting through dance. Join enFocus in celebrating the World of Pop at this year’s Dancing With Our Stars and support an incredible cause.

"Growing up, I couldn’t wait to leave my small town—but life led me back, and I fell in love with the region. From South Bend’s charm to Michigan’s hidden gems, this place shaped my journey. Watching it grow alongside me has been a joy, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be."

enFocus places its Fellows in an accelerated growth program, giving them the opportunity to work closely with community leaders and decision-makers at the highest organizational levels. For many Fellows this marks their first foray into the professional world, but unlike most entry-level positions they are entrusted with roles that influence pivotal decisions from the outset. While this responsibility might seem intimidating, it is a profound learning experience, offering real-time feedback on the tangible impact of their work.

With support from enFocus, the City of South Bend received $1.87 million through the USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry grant in September 2023. In managing this award, enFocus continues to partner with the City to help reach its goals to expand the Urban Tree Nursery Network, establish permanent plantings at schools, and bolster education and workforce development. To meet the goal of planting around 9,000 trees over five years as covered by this grant, our team is committed to learning firsthand the processes of planting and maintaining trees.