What was a huge success AND a ton of fun?
The 2024 Leadership Akron Maynard Memorial Golf Outing!
With lots of connection, laughter, and golfing, the entire morning of our outing was filled with incredible stories and insight with Ben Curtis and Herb Page — followed by a red carpet meet-and-greet, photos, and a special golf clinic with Ben Curtis.
The Champions Award Reception with its Silent Auction was a great end to the day, where the atmosphere was filled with awards and even more laughter!
A great big THANK YOU to our co-chairs: Dr. Greg and Judi Hill and Ben & Candace Curtis.
We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to our generous sponsors, without whom this event would not have been possible:
Maynard Family Foundation
Crafty Steere
Unity Health Network
Dr. Greg & Judi Hill
Akron Children's Hospital
County of Summit
Ernst & Young
Keybank
M7 Holdings
Oswald Companies
Paula Christ
Thomarios
United Way of Summit & Medina
Wells Trecaso Financial Group
Thanks to the participation of alumni, friends, sponsors, and supporters like you, Leadership Akron can continue every important effort and make the Phil Maynard Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Ben Curtis Family Foundation possible.
And all “fore” a good cause!
We appreciate every moment and every friend who joined us for this great event!
By Henry Johnson
It’s an essential concept to consider:
“Who are you in this community, and how can you make it better?”
Each morning, CLI (Community Leadership Institutes) 24 session kicks off its time together by asking exactly this question.
The organizations that come to speak during each gathering offer opportunities for everyone involved to share their stories and show how “you” can come alongside them to support their work.
Day 1 of the Leadership Akron CLI 24 happened just recently.
It was inspiring and insightful.
Class members discussed ways with each speaker to support their organizational efforts.
Guests spoke about becoming change agents for the future, lifelong learning, college and career pathways, and more.
The day was truly about building community.
A special “thank you” goes to the Akron-Summit County Public Library and Akron Public Schools for hosting and speaking with the class … in addition to Kemp Boyd (Love Akron), Amy Cameron (Heart To Heart), and Marquita Mitchell (Project Learn of Summit County).
Then, LA CLI 24 Day 2 started with an overview of the business community and a deeper dive into the community-centered work being done in Middlebury.
Summit DD stirred emotions and offered a fresh perspective on Greater Akron.
The Well CDC focused on investing in people … other guests talked about the vibrancy and value of downtown Akron … and more!
The day served as a platform for team-building and fostering deeper connections within our group.
Thank you to our host, Bounce Innovation Hub.
We’re grateful for the participation of every individual and organization …
Together, through your partnership with Leadership Akron, we are empowered to offer a unique blend of personal development and community engagement through CLI to enhance leadership qualities for local leaders both professionally and personally!
The Steve Wilt and John Judge families deserve Leadership Akron’s deepest gratitude as of late …
They have graciously and generously provided a matching challenge gift of $20,000 to match each $5,000 donation given by July 15 from friends like you!
We’re thrilled at the generosity of these families and hope you are too — their matching gift doubles the impact you can make when you give to Leadership Akron!
And “impact” is exactly why both Steve and John felt led to make such a contribution … to continue the prosperity and growth already happening.
John says:
“My time in Class 25 was eye-opening in showing me the strengths and needs of our community. Contributing to Leadership Akron ensures that others will learn how they can help our community and make it a great place to live. Early in my Class 25 experience, there was a classmate I thought was too focused on a single issue. We had a few spirited discussions about it. By the end of the program, I came to value her opinion, share her concern for affordable housing, and joined the board of the non-profit she led. I will always value the years I got to spend working with her and the organization. Leadership Akron’s impact extends across the whole spectrum of programs its offers. Junior Leadership Akron, Signature, Diversity on Board, NEXT, and the partnership with Torchbearers all prepare leaders by building the networks and instilling the spirit of collaboration that make Akron special.”
Steve says:
“Leadership Akron has played an important role in growing my personal and business relationships. Beyond the Signature program, I am inspired by the Diversity on Board program and feel it is playing a key role in our community. I was [already] pretty knowledgeable about Akron and the community. I could not believe how much I learned and how it was able to target my role in the community around my passions and the greatest needs. I went through the Leadership Akron Signature Class in 2009 with the best class ever, 26! It was during the credit crises and a crazy time in business. However, from Leadership Akron opportunities presented themselves — and it was extremely impactful at the time and to this day. [Right now,] we are losing some of our corporate leaders to the virtual environment. It has never been a more important time to have leadership development and engagement in our community.”
Steve has a few more insights as well here in a recent interview with Leadership Akron President and CEO Justin Hilton:
Bottom line, John concludes, “Many companies, foundations, and individuals made it possible for Leadership Akron to exist and provide transformational experience for the past 40 years. Now it is our turn to pass on those opportunities to others by giving to Leadership Akron and building many more generations of leaders for a greater Akron.”
We thank you both — and EVERY financial supporter — many times over, for getting behind the work and mission of Leadership Akron. It’s your support that drives change, connection, and empowering in our community each and every day!
Jackie Hemsworth (Executive Director of ACCESS, Inc.) had her own ideas of what she was about to experience in our Signature program …
But soon found out it was better than she imagined!
The white coat experience in the Leadership Akron Signature program is an opportunity I was definitely looking forward to since learning I was chosen for class 40. I had anticipated that I would perhaps be observing medical procedures or even a surgery like some of my classmates, but the experience I had turned out to be even better.
I was placed with Dr. Maria Schiaffino, the Program Director for the Family Medicine Residency Program at Summa Hospital.
During my time shadowing Dr. Schiaffino, I learned about the incredible work being done at the Family Medicine Residency program. I quickly came to understand that much of their priorities intersect with the needs of the women and children we serve in the work I do at ACCESS Shelter.
Since this initial white coat day, we have convened a team meeting at the shelter with Dr. Schiaffino and others from the Family Medicine Residency Program and direct service providers from ACCESS to discuss potential collaborations between the organizations to better serve women and children in need of medical care within the walls of our shelter.
I am looking forward to this new partnership with Summa and the Family Medicine Residency Program!
Thanks!
—Jackie Hemsworth, Executive Director
ACCESS, Inc.
Leadership Akron’s Signature program presents an unparalleled opportunity for leaders to see beyond their own spheres to the broader interests of the community at large.
They develop a working knowledge of our community across sectors and learn to appreciate the diverse perspectives of their classmates. The result? Leaders equipped to advance our community.
And you’re part of it through your partnership and support — thank you!
Ken Evans, Leadership Akron’s Program Facilitator, is passionate about anything local.
When he moved to Akron in 2014, he found that the historic and eclectic city of Akron sparked his long-held interest in community development.
He’s been with us since [2022] and has proven to be a leadership asset with a solid desire to build a stronger identity for Akron. For him, the Community Leadership Programs we do with Goodyear, Cleveland Clinic Akron General, and Bridgestone really stand out to him.
“Given the rigorous and highly competitive process to be selected into the Signature Program,” Ken says, “many leaders at some of Akron’s largest organizations might not have the opportunity to have a Leadership Akron Signature Program experience. In response to this reality, we have created custom programs for these larger anchor institutions in Akron. Each organization selects about 20 participants to dive into the community and learn. Additionally, these programs are not only for top leadership but often include younger leaders in whom each organization sees great potential and wants to invest in.”
He believes success through Leadership Akron is embodied in the fact that our programs are a catalyst for community engagement — “an addition that allows new reactions to occur from the same mix of elements”, he explains.
“People care about their community and want to know more. The hunger and drive are there and Leadership Akron allows people to connect, engage, and just spend a day immersed in Akron”.
“I see this in the post-class involvement of my participants,” Ken adds. “Like the woman who grew up in Akron but knew very little about the city. After completing the Cleveland Clinic Akron General CLI, she went on to join the Diversity on Board program so she could work to make a more significant impact in Akron. It’s small actions, like bumping into a class member at Summit Art Space, the Nightlight, or Porchrokr and learning that they have brought their friends or family out to one of their new favorite places to go.”
And small steps lead to long and fruitful journeys. Ken says the Leadership Akron team has to keep learning — “about Akron and ourselves. As a staff, we support that curiosity, and when one of us gets an opportunity to see something new, we always try to bring the others along.”
Going and growing together — the heart of Leadership Akron’s mission!
Ken concludes:
“I think LA has helped to grow the definition of who is a leader in our community. It’s not just about being a CEO or a VP of something; it is about empowering those who care about Akron and are motivated by community involvement. It’s about those who want to ensure an excellent job is done while still having a healthy team that is a safe place for all its members. It’s about those who want to shape a better Akron and have it fulfill the promise of the early 21st century.”
And we’re grateful you’re doing YOUR part in shaping a better Akron through your support. Thanks for being intentional and committed to this community!
Your support for Leadership Akron keeps us on track and walking toward a bright future full of possibility and dedicated to empowering leaders of every neighborhood, every background, and every experience in Greater Akron.