05/22/2026
Leadership begins by simply showing up.
Twenty-eight years ago, Alfarena McGinty took a chance on a job, and it turned out to be her calling.
As the Marion County Coroner, Alfie leads a team through some of the most emotionally demanding roles there are: mass fatality incidents, grieving families, and hard decisions made under impossible pressure. Yet, every day she shows up with care and compassion for all of those around her.
"I didn't even know what a coroner's office did at first,” she confessed. “But I realized very quickly — this work is really about people, not just cases."
As a leader in her field, she shared advice on how to lead with resilience, empathy, and purpose in their communities.
"A leader's success should never be measured only by personal achievement — but by how many people you pulled up along the way."
When Alfie’s not leading the coroner’s office, you may find her at the Indiana State Fair.
Gobble Gobble Food Truck was started by her father, Alfonzo Tyler, as one of the first Black-owned food vendors at the Indiana State Fair in 1999. Every summer, Alfie sets aside two weeks to carry on his legacy by serving turkey legs alongside his sister and other family members.
Her nephew plans to take over Gobble Gobble one day to continue the family tradition and keep the family spirit alive for future generations.
🔗 Read her full feature on our website.
