Press Releases

September 5, 2025

Leadership Akron Announces NEXT Class 14: Expanding Leadership Into New Chapters

Leadership Akron proudly announces the members of NEXT Class 14, a group of seasoned leaders stepping into new chapters of service and community connection. Designed for individuals approaching, experiencing, or mastering retirement, the NEXT program provides an opportunity to expand their experience and define their next season of impact in Greater Akron.

N.E.X.T., which stands for New Endeavors for eXperienced Talent, is a two-month program tailored for community-driven individuals who have contributed significantly in their professional careers and now seek to reinvest their time, wisdom, and passion into the community. Participants connect with peers, explore Greater Akron’s history and future opportunities, and build pathways to ongoing engagement.

“Welcoming NEXT Class 14 reflects our belief that leadership is lifelong,” said Justin Hilton, President and CEO of Leadership Akron. “These leaders bring with them decades of experience, but more importantly, they carry a spirit of curiosity, service, and connection that will enrich Greater Akron. NEXT is about expanding what’s possible, not only for each participant, but for the community they will continue to serve.”

The members of NEXT Class 14 are:

  • Jennifer Black

  • Thomas Craig

  • Kathy DuBose

  • Timothy Eakin

  • Linda Earhart

  • Alan Fortnoff

  • Tom Freeman

  • Carey Hanni

  • Robert Hasenyager

  • Dreama Mason Whitfield

  • Becky Michael

  • Nancy O’Connor

  • Minnette Prince

  • Dennis Roberts

  • Denise Sawan Caruso

  • Mary Verstraete

  • Selaria Woodall

Throughout the program, participants will immerse themselves in Greater Akron’s unique story, its people, its challenges, and its possibilities. By engaging directly with community leaders and institutions, they will gain fresh insights, form new connections, and identify meaningful avenues to contribute.

“The NEXT program is not about winding down, it’s about leaning in,” Hilton added. “Each participant has already shaped Greater Akron in their own way. Together, they now have the opportunity to build momentum for what comes next, for themselves and for our community.”

About the NEXT Program
Leadership Akron’s NEXT program empowers experienced leaders as they transition into or navigate retirement. It is designed for individuals with a history of community leadership, including retired executives who may not have engaged due to career demands, and alumni of the Signature Program seeking a renewed perspective on the Greater Akron community. This immersive two-month experience equips participants with the relationships, context, and clarity to continue leading and serving Greater Akron in meaningful ways.

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.