Press Releases

January 19, 2026

Leadership Akron Announces 2026 New Executive Leader Honorees

Leadership Akron is proud to announce the honorees for its 2026 New Executive Leader Reception. This annual event recognizes Greater Akron’s newest top decision-makers who have recently stepped into significant leadership roles across the region. This year’s honorees reflect a broad cross-section of sectors and experiences, representing the individuals who help shape organizations, institutions, and communities throughout Greater Akron.

The New Executive Leader Reception will take place on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at The University of Akron’s Jean Hower Taber Student Union Ballroom. The event serves as both a celebration and a welcome, introducing these leaders to Leadership Akron’s expansive network of alumni, community partners, and civic stakeholders while creating space for connection, collaboration, and shared impact.

2026 New Executive Leader 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 Executive 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 & Chief Executive Officer, Child Guidance & Family Solutions

  • John Garofalo – President & Chief Executive Officer, 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, Ohio, FirstEnergy Ohio

  • Keith Hochadel – Chief Executive Officer, CHC Addiction Services

  • Audrey Houseman – Director of Marketing & Communications, Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park

  • Carla Jackson – Board President, Akron Public Schools

  • Alexis King – President, Torchbearers

  • Catherine Kurela – Chief Executive Officer, Akron Bar Association

  • Dr. Teri Lash-Ritter, MD, MBA, FAAFP – President, Akron General, Lodi & South Submarket, Cleveland Clinic

  • Dr. Wanda Lash – Assistant Superintendent, Akron Public Schools

  • Eleni Manousogiannakis – Executive Director, Better Kenmore Community Development Center

  • Annie McFadden – President & Chief Executive Officer, United Way of 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 & Chief Executive Officer, Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park

  • Brandon Reedy – District Chief, Akron Fire Department

  • Jess Rist – Chief Executive Officer, IBH Addiction Recovery

  • Katherine 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.

“These leaders are taking on roles that influence the direction of our region at a pivotal time,” said Justin Hilton, President and CEO of Leadership Akron. “The New Executive Leader Reception recognizes leaders stepping into influential roles and connects them with a community committed to collaboration and shared responsibility for Greater Akron’s future.”

The 2026 New Executive Leader Reception will include a VIP Cocktail Hour beginning at 4:30 PM, followed by the formal program from 5:30 to 8:00 PM. Leadership Akron alumni, business and nonprofit leaders, and community partners will gather to celebrate the honorees, build relationships, and strengthen the leadership network that supports Greater Akron.

Event sponsorship opportunities are currently available for organizations seeking to align with Greater Akron’s newest executive leaders. Tickets for individual attendance are also available. To learn more about the event, explore sponsorship opportunities, or purchase tickets, visit www.leadershipakron.org/nelr2026.

About the New Executive Leader Reception
The New Executive Leader Reception is an annual Leadership Akron event that recognizes and welcomes Greater Akron’s newest top decision-makers. The event connects these leaders with Leadership Akron’s alumni network and community partners, creating relationships that support collaboration, shared learning, and lasting impact across Greater Akron.

About Leadership Akron
For more than 40 years, Leadership Akron has inspired, strengthened, and empowered leaders to create a greater Akron. Through immersive experiences and community connections, Leadership Akron serves as the only community platform experientially connecting leaders across sectors, backgrounds, and generations. With a network of more than 2,000 alumni, Leadership Akron continues to expand the experience of leadership, fostering relationships, building knowledge, and catalyzing impact for the future of Greater Akron.