Leadership Akron Founders Society Legacy Circle
Honoring Our Legacy of Leaders
Leadership Akron is the only community platform experientially connecting Greater Akron Leaders.
For more than four decades, those experiences have shaped the way leaders see themselves, one another, and their responsibility to our community. They have created relationships that continue long after a program year ends. They have helped leaders connect to impact for life.
With deep gratitude, the Leadership Akron Founders Society Legacy Circle honors the individuals, families, and organizations whose lifetime generosity has helped make that possible.
These leaders have invested in more than programs. They have invested in the experiences, relationships, and community connections that continue to strengthen Greater Akron.
A Lifetime Commitment to Greater Akron
Leadership Akron was built by leaders who believed Greater Akron would be stronger when people across sectors, backgrounds, and generations had the opportunity to learn together, build trust, and lead with a deeper understanding of our community.
That belief continues today.
The Founders Society Legacy Circle recognizes those whose lifetime support has helped sustain Leadership Akron’s mission and strengthen its capacity to inspire, strengthen, and empower leaders across Greater Akron.
Their generosity helps ensure that Leadership Akron remains a place where leaders are challenged, connected, and equipped to serve Greater Akron with deeper perspective and purpose.
Hear about the lasting impact of the Founders Society Legacy Circle and the importance of investing in the leaders who will continue shaping Greater Akron.
The Founders Society Legacy Circle
The Founders Society Legacy Circle honors leaders whose cumulative lifetime support of Leadership Akron has reached $25,000 or more. Members are recognized across five lifetime giving levels:
Leadership Akron Life Trustees
$500,000+ lifetime support
Leadership Akron Summit Leaders
$250,000+ lifetime support
Leadership Akron Champions
$100,000+ lifetime support
Leadership Akron Heroes
$50,000+ lifetime support
Leadership Akron Advocates
$25,000+ lifetime support
Each giving level represents a deeper commitment to the mission and work of Leadership Akron and leadership by example in paying forward the Leadership Akron experience for both current and future leaders who will continue to shape Greater Akron for years to come.
Leadership Akron is deeply grateful to recognize the following members of the 2026-2027 Founders Society Legacy Circle. Their lifetime support has helped sustain the work of Leadership Akron and the leaders who continue to shape Greater Akron.
2026-2027 Founders Society Legacy Circle Members
Leadership Akron Life Trustees
$500,000+ lifetime support
Roger T. Read
Phillip H. Maynard (In Memoriam)
Leadership Akron Summit Leaders
$250,000 lifetime support
David and Cheryl Venarge
Ken Babby
Akron RubberDucks
Leadership Akron Champions
$100,000 lifetime support
Eileen E. Burg and H. Peter Burg (In Memoriam)
Jefferson Satterfield
Leadership Akron Heroes
$50,000 lifetime support
W. Riley Lochridge
Barry Dunaway
Leadership Akron Advocates
$25,000 lifetime support
William R. Feth
Anthony J. Alexander
Laura Bailey Culp
Danielle J. Kimmell
Scott T. Read
Ernest E. Pouttu
Michael Kolk
Lisa Mandel
John W. Judge
Karen C. Lefton
Michael A. Batu
Mary Beth Carroll
Toby Gorant
Stephen D. Wilt
W. Glenn Leppo
Ann Brennan (In Memoriam)
Sherry L. Neubert
Robert W. Malone
James E. Merklin
Nicholas V. Browning
“As our good friend Phil Maynard used to say, ‘Let’s do our giving while we’re living so we know where it’s going.’”
—Roger ReadTo every member of the Founders Society Legacy Circle, thank you.
Each gift becomes a part of your lifetime giving history with Leadership Akron and grows your lifetime support total toward the opportunity for future recognition as a lifetime member of the Leadership Akron Founders Society Legacy Circle.
Continue Your Leadership Akron Legacy
Every gift to Leadership Akron becomes part of a larger story of leadership, connection, and community impact.
Your continued generosity helps sustain the experiences, relationships, and deep community awareness that equip leaders to serve Greater Akron for years to come. Each gift also becomes part of your lifetime giving history with Leadership Akron and may help you or your organization grow toward future recognition in the Founders Society Legacy Circle.