Press Releases

July 1, 2025

Leadership Akron Welcomes Signature Class 42

Leadership Akron proudly announces the members of Signature Class 42, a dynamic group of leaders who will embark on a deeply immersive experience designed to awaken purpose, expand perspective, and ignite lifelong connection.

As Leadership Akron’s flagship program, the Signature experience isn’t a class in the traditional sense, it’s a curated journey into the heart of Greater Akron. Over the next ten months, the 44 participants below will step into Greater Akron’s most vital institutions, confront pressing community issues, and engage in transformative conversations that challenge, stretch, and connect.

  • Michelle Alleman, Akron-Summit County Public Library

  • Anna Ball, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority

  • Michael Bodnar, The Huntington National Bank

  • Carla Bradford, Ametek

  • Andrew Brooks, Amazon

  • Sarah Buccigross, Summit County Executive's Office

  • Dominic Cardarelli, The University of Akron & Akron Snow Angels

  • Andrew Costigan, The University of Akron School of Law

  • Gary Estwick, Signal Akron

  • Melissa Gannon, CHC Addiction Services

  • Raven Gayheart, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank

  • Thomas Hite, SeibertKeck Insurance Partners

  • Roy Jacobs, Akron RubberDucks

  • Erin Johnson, eXp Realty, Outstanding Ohio

  • Joseph Kacyon, Hoover Kacyon LLC

  • Elizabeth Kargbo, The Salvation Army Summit County Area Services

  • Rebecca Kaszar, Designs in Nature

  • Holly Klein, Grace House Akron

  • Sandra Kurt, Akron Municipal Clerk of Court

  • Brian Lapolla, Akron Children's Hospital

  • Amy Lee, Northeast Ohio Medical University

  • Joshua Lehman, Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio

  • Nathan Leppo, METRO RTA

  • Emily Lundgard, Elevate Greater Akron

  • Stephanie Marsh, City of Akron

  • Nick McCauley, Ernst & Young

  • Kimberly Meals, Community Support Services

  • Timothy Meyers, The University of Akron

  • Agostino Micozzi, Akron Police Department

  • Dana Mountjoy, Bober Markey Fedorovich

  • Meredith Myers, IBH Addiction Recovery

  • Tammi Nagucki, Environmental Design Group

  • Scott Pascu, Akron Fire Department

  • Jill Rennels, The J.M. Smucker Co.

  • Jonathan Sanchez, Cleveland Clinic Akron General

  • Imani Scruggs, OSU Extension-Summit County 4-H

  • Lucas Smith, Summa Health

  • Justin Snipes, Enbridge Gas Ohio

  • Erin Spring, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

  • Danielle Thompson, Northern Ohio Golf Charities & Foundation

  • Tamara Todd, Akron Municipal Court

  • Dr. Evelyn Williams, Global Ties Akron

  • Shanda-lyn Yaeger, Stark State College

  • Lauren Zidones, Roetzel & Andress, A Legal Professional Association

“Leadership Akron is not about learning in a classroom. It’s about leading in the community,” said Justin Hilton, President and CEO of Leadership Akron. “Signature Class 42 brings together a diverse collective of leaders who are ready to be shaped by Greater Akron – and to shape it in return.”

Through behind-the-scenes access, place-based learning, and candid collaboration across sectors, participants will engage with topics such as justice, education, public health, and economic vitality. At the core of the program is Leadership Akron’s belief that the greatest currency is relationships, and that when leaders are meaningfully connected, they lead with greater empathy, clarity, and impact.

Class 42 is comprised of leaders from the business, nonprofit, government, education, healthcare, and arts sectors – each bringing their own lived experience and leadership lens to the class. Together, they represent Greater Akron’s leadership community: equipped with context, connected through relationships, and committed to collective progress.

Launching this July and running through spring 2026, the program reflects Leadership Akron’s ongoing mission to experientially connect Greater Akron leaders in ways that produce not only transformation, but sustained community momentum.

For more than four decades, Leadership Akron has been curating significantly impacting moments that grow individuals into collaborators for life. In addition to the Signature Program, Leadership Akron offers a suite of immersive opportunities, including Diversity on Board, Junior Leadership Akron, NEXT, and more – each designed to cultivate a network of leaders committed to Greater Akron’s continued evolution.

About Leadership Akron
For over 40 years, Leadership Akron has inspired, strengthened, and empowered leaders to create a Greater Akron. Through unique experiences and partnerships with local leaders, Leadership Akron provides a platform for emerging and established leaders to contribute to the community's vibrancy. For more information, visit www.leadershipakron.org