New Executive Leader Reception 2026
Honoring our community’s newest top decision-makers and leaders
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
The University of Akron - Jean Hower Taber Student Union Ballroom
VIP Cocktail Hour 4:30 PM
Program 5:30-8:00 PM
4:30 – 5:30 PM | VIP Cocktail Hour and Meet-and-Greet | $60 for VIP Only ($50 for Leadership Akron Alumni)
Exclusive Meet-and-Greet this year’s Honorees.
Enjoy curated hors d’oeuvres throughout the hour.
One complimentary drink ticket included; additional beverages available for purchase.
5:30 - 8:00 PM | Main Event: New Executive Leader Reception | $85 for Main Event Only ($75 for Leadership Akron Alumni)
Networking opportunity with prior year honorees, community leaders, and more!
One complimentary drink ticket and hors d’oeuvres included.
A program dedicated to celebrating Greater Akron's newest executive leaders.
About the Reception
The New Executive Leader Reception celebrates individuals in our community who have stepped into top decision-making roles in 2025, highlighting those poised to impact our community significantly.
Whether new to the area or stepping into a new significant leadership role, these leaders are at the heart of our event.
These are leaders throughout the Greater Akron area who represent a variety of for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Through their constant servant leadership, our community continues to be strengthened and empowered as a chosen place to live, work, create, and serve.
Join us as we recognize, celebrate, and introduce these leaders to our vibrant community of established leaders and our vast Leadership Akron Alumni network!
The dress code for this event is professional attire.
Event Details
Location
The University of Akron - Jean Hower Taber Student Union Ballroom
303 Carroll Street, Akron, OH 44325
Agenda
4:30 PM Cocktail hour meet-and-greet with honorees (VIP ticketholders only)
5:30 PM Registration, networking
6:30 PM Program
8:00 PM Adjournment
Sponsorship Details
Meet the Honorees
-
Bruce Alexander
Board Vice President
Akron Public Schools -
William Eugene Blake
Executive Director
Progressive Alliance Community Development Corporation -
Dr. Steven Brooks
Chief Medical Officer
Cleveland Clinic Akron General -
Chase Canfield
Executive Director of Human Resources
Akron Public Schools -
Chip Clupper
Director of Human Resources
Summit County Ilene Shapiro's Office -
Christine Curry
Vice President, Fund Development
Akron Urban League -
Joan Davidson
Chief Executive Officer
Hope Homes Foundation, Inc. -
Dr. Hans Dorfi
Executive Director & Chief Innovation Officer
The Polymer Industry Cluster -
LeShaunte Edwards
Executive Director
Akron Youth Mentorship -
Tia Farmakidis
Chief Planning & Facilities Officer
The University of Akron -
Cassandra Galloway, M.Ed., MBA, LPCC-S
President & CEO
Child Guidance & Family Solutions -
John Garofalo
President & CEO
Akron Community Foundation -
Dr. Andrew Goodrich
Director of Athletics
The University of Akron -
Shelley Goodrich
Finance Director
City of Green -
Natalie Grieshammer Patrick
Executive Director
Summit Artspace -
Christopher Hardesty
Executive Director
Downtown Akron Development Corporation -
Torrence Hinton
President
First Energy Ohio -
Keith Hochadel
Chief Executive Officer
CHC Addiction Services -
Audrey Houseman
Director of Marketing & Communications
Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park -
Dr. Carla Jackson
Board President
Akron Public Schools -
Alexis King
President
Torchbearers -
Catherine (Cate) Kurela
Chief Executive Officer
Akron Bar Association -
Jolene A. Lane
Director
Akron Innovation Team (an initiative of the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation) -
Dr. Teri Lash-Ritter, MD, MBA, FAAFP
President of Akron General, Lodi & South Submarket
Cleveland Clinic -
Dr. Wanda Lash
Assistant Superintendent
Akron Public Schools -
Eleni Manousogiannakis
Executive Director
Better Kenmore Community Development Corporation -
Annie McFadden
President & CEO
United Way Summit & Medina -
Heather Meeker
Executive Director
Curated Storefront -
Jamie Messenger, MSW, LSW, LICDC, OCPSA
Executive Director
NAMI Summit County -
Shawn Metcalf
Chief Protection & Development Officer
Akron METRO Regional Transit Authority -
Augustino Micozzi
Deputy Chief
City of Akron Police Department -
Michael Miller
Deputy Chief
City of Akron Police Department -
Brian Miner
Vice President
Hasenstab Architects, Inc. -
Amanda Novelli
Director of Development & Outreach
Humane Society of Summit County -
Mary Outley
Superintendent
Akron Public Schools -
Don Padgett III
Senior Director Foundation Strategy
Akron Children’s -
Greg Peckham
President & CEO
Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park -
Brandon Reedy
District Chief
Akron Fire Department -
Jess Rist
Chief Executive Officer
IBH Addiction Recovery -
Katherine (Kate) Robbins, MPH
Chief Development Officer
Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center -
Dr. Patrick Roberts
Vice President, Advancement
The University of Akron -
Jim Rollins, CPA
Chief Executive Officer
Meaden & Moore -
Lori Sallaz
Chief Lending Officer
Development Finance Authority of Summit County -
Dennis Shumaker
District Chief of Special Operations and Investigations
Akron Fire Department -
Colleen Suich
Executive Director
Akron Soul Train -
Jay Turakhia
Regional President, Northeast
The Huntington National Bank -
Dennis VanFossen, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
Soap Box Derby -
Dominique Waters
Founder & Executive Director
Akron Sneaker Academy, Inc.
Nominate a Leader for the 2027 New Executive Leader Reception
We are seeking leaders who:
Stepped into a new role in 2026.
Serve as one of the top top decision-makers or C-suite executives in a private, public, or nonprofit organization located in Greater Akron (Summit County or nearby counties with strong Akron ties).
Lead organizations that are well-established and make an impact on our community.
Are in roles with significant community influence, such as reporting to the CEO, Board of Directors, or overseeing a major operation.
Have accepted prestigious roles outside Greater Akron that elevate their leadership profile (Alumni only).
Do you know someone who fits this description? Or are you a new executive leader yourself? Please take a moment to nominate a deserving leader for this honor.
