Leadership Akron will honor Howard Parr, Executive Director of the Akron Civic Theatre and an alumnus of Leadership Akron’s Signature Program Class 30, with the 2026 Maynard Distinguished Leader Award. One of three honors presented through Leadership Akron’s Life Trustee Awards Trinity, the award will be presented at the Holiday Party & Maynard Distinguished Leader Award Celebration on Thursday, December 10, at Greystone Hall in downtown Akron.
Established in 1987, the Distinguished Leader Award recognizes Leadership Akron alumni who have made extraordinary contributions to Greater Akron through voluntary leadership, helping drive projects or address issues of critical importance to the community. In 2024, the award was renamed in memory of Phil Maynard, a Leadership Akron Life Trustee, philanthropist, and dedicated community leader whose generosity and commitment to service helped strengthen Greater Akron.
In 2013, Howard worked alongside Christine Amer Mayer and other community leaders to help facilitate the Landscape Study on Arts and Culture, which brought together stakeholders from across Greater Akron to identify opportunities and challenges facing the sector. The study identified nine key priorities, including the need for a dedicated organization to provide coordination, shared strategy, and sustained leadership.
Howard helped turn that vision into action as a founding board member of ArtsNow, contributing to the organization's early direction and establishing a foundation for greater collaboration among artists, cultural organizations, businesses, and community partners. His volunteer leadership helped address a critical need in Greater Akron and strengthen the role of arts and culture throughout the community.
“Howard has a remarkable ability to see what Greater Akron could become and bring people together to help make it happen,” said Justin Hilton, President and CEO of Leadership Akron. “His work helping establish ArtsNow is a powerful example of leadership that reaches beyond any one organization. And just as importantly, he continues to invest in the people who will carry that work forward. That spirit of collaboration, generosity, and service is exactly what the Maynard Distinguished Leader Award was created to honor.”
Howard's commitment to Greater Akron is also reflected in his professional leadership. Since 2007, he has served as Executive Director of the Akron Civic Theatre, helping expand opportunities for residents and visitors to experience arts and culture throughout downtown Akron. In 2025 alone, more than 550 events were presented across the Akron Civic Theatre, Goodyear Theatre, Lock 3 and Lock 4, and the Knight Stage. These events welcomed more than 180,000 visitors to the Akron Civic Theatre and Goodyear Theatre, with an additional 150,000 attending programming at Lock 3.
Beyond his professional work, Howard has remained actively involved in the arts community, previously serving on the board of Akron Soul Train and Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop (YEPAW), and is currently serving another term on the Board of ArtsNow.
Howard has also demonstrated a commitment to developing the next generation of creative leaders. Through his support of the Millennial Theatre Project, he has created opportunities for young artists and leaders from diverse backgrounds to serve as producers, directors, arts administrators, and creators. He has entrusted them with meaningful responsibilities, encouraged their ideas, and given them opportunities to grow as leaders.
Howard's dedication to bringing people together and investing in future leaders reflects the spirit of Phil Maynard's legacy and the lasting impact of community-centered leadership.
The 2026 Leadership Akron Holiday Party & Maynard Distinguished Leader Award Celebration will take place Thursday, December 10, at Greystone Hall, 103 S. High Street in Akron. The VIP event will be held from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., followed by the main event from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Leadership Akron alumni, community partners, and supporters will come together to celebrate Howard's leadership and his lasting contributions to Greater Akron.
Additional information about the event can be found here:https://www.leadershipakron.org/holidayparty2026
Individuals and organizations wishing to honor Howard's impact are invited to consider an event sponsorship in support of his recognition and Leadership Akron's work to connect and equip leaders to serve Greater Akron. For sponsorship information, contact Matthew Wilson at mwilson@leadershipakron.org or visit https://www.leadershipakron.org/sponsoranevent2026.
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. For more information, visit www.leadershipakron.org