Our Story
How Core Leadership Academy Began
Core Leadership Academy was born from an unexpected partnership formed during one of the most pivotal times in recent history.
In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, as civil unrest swept across the country, Sabrina Moon and Mitch McKinney met while doing the hard work of community engagement. Sabrina, a leadership development/operations veteran and advocate for courageous leadership, and Mitch, an active duty law enforcement officer committed to building trust and legitimacy, found themselves on different sides of the same conversation — both searching for a better way forward.
Through open dialogue, shared values, and a willingness to listen deeply, they discovered common ground and a common mission: to develop leaders who could get on common ground, build trust, and lead with courage, empathy, and resilience — no matter the uniform, title, or background.
Today, Core Leadership Academy exists because two people who could have remained divided chose connection instead. Their partnership stands as a living example of what’s possible when we lead with humanity first.
Board of Directors
Board President
Chief David Young - David L. Young, Jr. exemplifies transformational leadership through his ability to inspire, empower, and uplift those he serves—whether in the police force, the military, or the church. As a Chief of Professional Standards Division with the Chattanooga Police Department, he leads by example, cultivating trust, integrity, and accountability within his team and the broader community. In his role as Senior Paralegal for the 35th Division Sustainment Brigade, he integrates discipline and strategic thinking, modeling the values of excellence and service in high-pressure environments.
As Senior Pastor of St. Mary Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Young leads with compassion and vision, empowering his congregation to grow spiritually while also addressing practical community needs. His ministry is not just about preaching—it’s about creating safe spaces for healing, mentoring youth, and advocating for social justice. He challenges individuals and systems to grow beyond limitations and rise to their full potential. At the core of his leadership is a deep commitment to transformation—shifting mindsets, encouraging self-reflection, and motivating others to lead with purpose. Through every role, Mr. Young nurtures hope, resilience, and positive change, embodying what it means to lead not just with authority, but with heart.
From Chief Young:
“I’m excited to serve on the Core Leadership Academy board because I believe in raising up transformational leaders who are not only equipped to lead but called to serve. This work aligns perfectly with my life’s mission of building stronger communities through character, connection, and purpose.”
Board Vice President
Joe Riggs - Joe Riggs is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in business and technology, having served in various leadership roles across multiple sectors. With a results oriented approach, Joe is dedicated to driving organizational success while fostering innovation and growth. He holds a Bachelor of Science (BS), an MBA, a Juris Doctor (JD), and a Master of Arts (MA), demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Throughout his career, Joe has demonstrated a strong ability to navigate complex challenges and deliver sustainable results. His leadership style is defined by a focus on strategic vision, operational efficiency, and cultivating positive relationships within teams and communities. Beyond professional achievements, Joe is deeply committed to making a meaningful impact on the community and strives to leave a lasting, positive legacy in all endeavors. Joe's philosophy is simple yet profound: to leave things better than he found them. This ethos drives his passion for creating value in every project and initiative, ensuring that each step forward contributes to a brighter future for both individuals and organizations.
From Joe:
"It’s an honor to be part of the Core Leadership Academy board. This opportunity aligns deeply with my passion for developing transformational leaders and building stronger, more connected communities. I’m excited to collaborate with a dynamic group of changemakers, united by a shared commitment to character, purpose, and impactful service."
Board Secretary
Megan Bowsher - Megan Bowsher is a Master's level clinical social worker and trauma-informed coach with a specialization in supporting individuals with ADHD, trauma, and substance use challenges. She holds both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree from The Ohio State University, and her professional background includes substance use counseling, crisis intervention for families, and community mental health work. Currently, she operates as an entrepreneur, and is passionate about nurturing plants, empowering those around her, and pursuing continuous growth. Her wife serves as a firefighter, and many of the individuals she assists in therapy and coaching are first responders and public service personnel, including police officers, firefighters, teachers, and fellow social workers. She firmly believes that self-awareness, personal accountability, courage, and empathy are essential tools for fostering strong, resilient individuals, which in turn contribute to the development of trusting and resilient communities.
From Megan:
“I am grateful and excited to become a part of the Core Leadership Academy, as I believe in the significance of this initiative. The vision articulated by Mitch and Sabrina for the Core Leadership Academy has the potential to positively impact every community it engages. As the spouse of a first responder, I have firsthand experience with the trauma and challenges that affect their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. The stresses they encounter can permeate all aspects of their lives and do not simply dissipate when their shift ends. It is essential for both first responders and civilians to have access to resources and training that promote healthy self expression, resilience, and overall well-being, while fostering meaningful relationships within their communities. I believe these resources will support the development of sound relationships that communities can count on and thrive within.”
Board Treasurer
Sarah Rippe - Sarah Rippe is the Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Fire Police City County Federal Credit Union, she boasts 29 years of experience in the financial industry, earning her a reputation as a catalyst for transformative growth and innovative strategies. Her expertise spans operations and sales performance, marketing leadership, team development, and forging strategic partnerships that create lasting impact and value. A graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Sarah has built a career marked by excellence, inspiring teams, and fostering meaningful connections. Beyond her professional achievements, she treasures vacationing time with her family. Sarah’s unwavering dedication to her career, combined with her zest for life, makes her a role model and an accomplished leader in every sense of the word.
From Sarah:
“I’m thrilled about the opportunity to serve on the board of Core Leadership Academy because it aligns with my passion for driving meaningful change. The chance to collaborate with a dynamic group of leaders excites me, as it allows for shared growth, innovative thinking, and impactful decision-making, all contributing to the creation of stronger, more connected communities.”
Our Facilitators
Mitch McKinney
Mitch McKinney is a Fort Wayne native and a 1985 graduate of Bishop Dwenger High School. Mitch is best known throughout Fort Wayne as a beloved counselor with the Franke Park Day Camp program which he still serves today on the camp committee. Serving his community started at a young age.
Mitch continues to serve on several boards in the area to include but not limited to the YWCA of Northeast Indiana, McMillen Health and the Fort Wayne Ballet. McKinney joined the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) in 1999 after a successful retail career with the Belmont Beverage Stores of Indiana whom he credits for many of his management traits.
He has served the FWPD as an undercover detective, interdiction detective, Emergency Services Team member, Academy instructor, Senior academy instructor, academy supervisor, school resource officer supervisor and Deputy Chief of the SE quadrant and was director of community relations and currently, a Detective Sergeant in the Investigative Support Division. He has been instrumental in the reprogramming of the community oriented policing philosophy of the FWPD with the introduction and implementation of the Procedural Justice and Police Legitimacy program which he has been in charge of since 2013. The four pillars of Voice, Fair and impartial treatment, Neutrality in decision making and Trust have bode well for the department and the community.
Mitch is the longest tenured President of the Fraternal Order of Police Indiana Wayne Lodge 14 having served 12 years as president and 16 years on executive council McKinney also serves the state of Indiana Fraternal Order of Police as the Chairman of the Training, Recruitment and Retention Committee. McKinney has been awarded the four top awards that the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police can bestow to include most recently being recognized as the outstanding member of the year and the outstanding president of the year. Connect with Mitch on LinkedIn.
McKinney’s philosophy on policing is simple: “Facts matter, People matter! I have spent my career making sure that my tomorrow is a better day than today. By simply finding someone to help or answering a call for help, I know that I am doing what God put me in this world to do.” Mitch is married to his wife of 29 years, Cindy, and has two sons, Jackson and Miles.
Core Values: Faith, Family & Everything Else
Top 5 Gallup Strengths: Achiever, Responsibility, Individualization, Arranger, Strategic
Education/Certifications: See Mitch’s Resumé
Sabrina Moon
Sabrina Moon is a recovering engineer and business owner. She has over 25 years of leadership experience for corporations like General Motors, BNSF Railway, Amtrak, and Norfolk Southern Railroad. She is known as a “servant of the front line.”
Sabrina is a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator for Dr. Brené Brown and enjoys developing leaders and organizations in the skills of courage and authenticity. Also a devout operations leader, problem solver, change agent, and mentor who actively seeks ways to engage in the community. She has led initiatives and business transformations in various communities and organizations across the US and is a believer and practitioner of a continuous improvement mindset. She is trained facilitator whose primary focus is to hear what's unsaid and surface the root causes that are preventing growth, innovation and collaboration.
In 2013, Sabrina was one of five engineers responsible for the development and rollout of the operations excellence program within Norfolk Southern Railroad’s mechanical department; a partnership with Toyota where she trained and developed railroad managers and skilled trades workers over a 22 state network in the the skills of lean and problem solving. Sabrina was the first female General Foreman at the Amtrak Locomotive Facility in Chicago, IL where she successfully formed a locomotive reliability team to tackle repeated locomotive failures. The formation of this team, merging management and union workers, resulted in a team that is still successfully functioning today and has yielded annual savings and efficiency. Sabrina was honored with the President's Service & Safety Award in 2011 for these efforts. Visit Sabrina's LinkedIn profile for more info.
Sabrina followed in her parents footsteps and left corporate America in 2017 and started the Problem Solving Institute. In 2020, she launched the Foundational Leadership for Law Enforcement Officers (FLFL) program in Chattanooga, TN, a leadership and self-awareness training program for law enforcement leaders. FLFL was developed with an advisory board of law enforcement leaders, executives and experts who are committed to building bridges in our communities that close communication gaps and strengthen relationships.
Born and raised in NE Indiana, Sabrina has lived all over the US and she enjoys hiking, traveling, and learning new skills. She believes that accepting and healing ourselves is one of the bravest things we can model as a leader. With an ACE Score of 7/10, Sabrina uses a trauma-informed approach and helps leaders understand the importance and impact of mental health awareness and emotional integration. Sabrina helps individuals tap into their courage, self-awareness and healing as a powerful tool for organizational growth. Get to know more about her background, approach and leadership style below.
Core Values: Curiosity, Altruism & Transformation
Top 5 Gallup Strengths: Adaptability, Connectedness, Restorative, Individualization, Empathy
Education/Certifications: See Sabrina’s Resumé