Do it Best Group is helping develop the next generation of Northeast Indiana professionals through its 2026 Level-Up Internship Program, an immersive summer experience designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the workplace. This year’s cohort included six interns working in managed marketing, supply chain, user experience design, information security, lumber and building materials, and logistics. Rather than observing from the sidelines, participants contributed to real business priorities involving ecommerce, search engine optimization, digital advertising, supply chain analytics, retail systems, cybersecurity, operational excellence, data reporting, and technology supporting distribution center operations. Their work connected academic knowledge with practical challenges that directly support Do it Best member-owned businesses across the country and around the world. “Level-Up is an investment in students, but it is also an investment in the future of Northeast Indiana,” said Celeste Stevens, vice president of human resources for Do it Best Group. “Programs like this strengthen our connection to the community by giving emerging professionals meaningful reasons to build their careers here. When students can see the quality of work, mentorship, professional opportunity, and quality of life available in this region, internships can become an important conduit for retaining talent and creating long-term employment in Northeast Indiana.” The Level-Up program combines hands-on project work with structured career development, mentorship, networking, executive interaction, interview preparation, and community engagement. Interns participated in career preparation sessions, HR check-ins, an executive lunch and learn, and a regional internship conference with students and leaders from Greater Fort Wayne, Weigand Construction, Ash Brokerage, and Fort Wayne Metals. The conference focused on professional development, leadership, and building the skills needed for future career success. Participants also visited Waynedale Do it Best Hardware to better understand the day-to-day realities of an independently owned store and the role Do it Best Group plays in helping local entrepreneurs compete and grow. The visit allowed interns to see how their work at the company’s Fort Wayne world headquarters ultimately supports store owners, employees, customers, and communities across the worldwide network. Community service was another central part of the experience. The interns partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters to help prepare auction items for the organization’s Brad Miller Gala, which supports mentoring programs for local youth. The project also carried a meaningful historical connection. Don Wolf, a former president of what is now Do it Best Group, helped mobilize support to establish Big Brothers of Greater Fort Wayne in 1972 and served as the organization’s first board president. The summer program culminated with capstone presentations before a panel of Do it Best Group leaders. Interns showcased their projects, explained what they learned, and demonstrated how their work contributed to the company and its member-owned businesses. One participant was also selected to receive the program’s 2026 capstone scholarship, recognizing achievement, professional growth, and the ability to apply the internship experience in a meaningful way. The 2026 capstone scholarship was awarded to Grace Schaekel, a second-year Level-Up intern who returned to serve as a lumber and building materials intern. For her capstone project, Schaekel completed a SKU rationalization initiative within the Millwork and Interior Solutions division. Through 11 product line reviews, her work contributed to a 65% reduction in SKUs across the areas she evaluated. By identifying and eliminating redundant items, the project freed valuable warehouse space, generated cost savings that can be reinvested in new products and future business opportunities, and created a more streamlined assortment. The result makes purchasing easier for Do it Best members and helps them stock the right products with greater confidence. Through Level-Up, Do it Best Group aims to help students advance academically, professionally, and personally. Interns leave the program with stronger technical and interpersonal skills, expanded professional networks, increased confidence, and practical accomplishments they can carry into their future careers. Just as importantly, the program introduces them to the opportunities available within one of Northeast Indiana’s leading employers and the broader regional business community. Headquartered in Fort Wayne, IN, the Do it Best Group is the world’s largest hardware, lumber, and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry. With nearly $6 billion in annual sales, they support thousands of independently-owned locations across the United States and in more than 60 countries worldwide. Partners in the company have the flexibility to operate under the Do it Best, True Value, or their own local store identities, offering a diverse range of branding options to best serve their communities. 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