Sandra Steele’s life hit the Portage spotlight when she became the volunteer chairperson for the Porter County Business Night, helping the Portage Chamber of Commerce connect citizens to services.
Although she works in La Porte County and lives in Lake County, Steele still spends time in Portage because her residence is only in Hobart.
“If I’m going out to eat, it’s going to be in Portage,” Steel said.
Steel is also is a member of Portage Chamber of Commerce, which she began as a representative for Purdue North Central, where she is Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrolment Management.
She sees Portage as “very others-centered,” which she enjoys.
“Being a part of that board allows me to connect with those that have a passion for helping others,” Steele said.
According to Steele, PNC added her to the Portage Chamber to keep in touch with Porter County, which has more students enrolled at the school than any other county. She is the first person from an establishment of higher education to serve on the Chamber board.
“We have a very strong relationship and partnership with Portage Township Schools, the superintendent and the principals,” Steele said.
From that relationship, Steele has been able to benefit the community by chairing the Business Night, which reached its twelfth anniversary this April.
According to Steele, the subcommittee lost its chairs a couple years ago and she stepped in, as she thought it would be a great opportunity for her to connect with Portage.
Steele said the Porter County Business Night is a good way to showcase business that the public may not know the extent of a business’ services, or that it event exists in the first place.
“It’s a way for vendors to reach out to multiple people with very cheap advertising,” Steele said.
Every year, the event expands. From their first year, they have added an emcee and a PowerPoint with each business’ logo so people can become familiar with as many business names as possible. Other members of the community also participate including a high school student named Nate Diancardi, who draws and brings in his business drawing caricatures.
Members of the JROTC volunteer to help set up and then keep restaurants stocked through the night.
“They do a fantastic job helping with the event,” Steele said.
Steele’s favorite part about Porter County Business Night is “hearing different, innovative ideas for how we can continue to grow Portage and make it a stronger community.”
Outside of Northwest Indiana, Steele helps with education subcommittees at the state level dealing with college graduation and other school-related issues.
When not working, Steele spends time with her husband and their two dogs.