Leadership Akron Welcomes Signature Class 43

Written By IMMIX Marketing

Leadership Akron announces the members of Signature Class 43, a group of 40 leaders who will begin a ten-month experience designed to deepen their understanding of Greater Akron, strengthen meaningful connections, and prepare them to lead with greater context, empathy, and community awareness.

Leadership Akron’s Signature program brings leaders out of familiar routines and into the people, places, systems, and conversations shaping the region. Throughout the program year, participants will engage directly with Greater Akron’s institutions, explore the opportunities and challenges facing the community, and build relationships across sectors that extend far beyond the class experience.

  • Brian Anderson, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

  • Kristen Ashby, Akron Community Foundation

  • Janis Beckett, CHC - Community Health Center Summit County

  • Vish Bhatt, Coleman Health Services

  • William Eugene Blake, Progressive Alliance CDC

  • Steven Bordenkircher, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

  • Steven Brooks, Cleveland Clinic Akron General

  • Michael Carlson, TRIAD

  • Nicole Chavers, GAR Foundation

  • Dayna Dunbar, Triton Property Ventures, LLC

  • Regan Everhard, Hasenstab Architects, Inc.

  • Nicole Farrell, Rubber City Development Consulting

  • Cassandra Galloway, Child Guidance & Family Solutions

  • Florence Gill, Girl Scouts of North East Ohio

  • Dara Harper, Akron Black Artist Guild

  • Harry Kamdar, A.S.I.A. Inc.

  • Brianna Kelly, Pritt Entertainment Group

  • Amy Kelly-Lancki, Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board

  • Mike Kirksey, Amazon

  • Melanie Korman, IBH Addiction Recovery

  • Nathan Kreis, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank

  • Kandice Lacy, Summit County Juvenile Court

  • Liana Lake, DLZ

  • Wanda Lash, Akron Public Schools

  • Trudie Latson, Good Place Holdings

  • Brian Lobban, Akron RubberDucks

  • Fred Mathews, PNC Bank

  • Jamie Messenger, NAMI Summit County

  • Michael Murphy Jr., Akron Police Department

  • Julie Nations, End Drug Shortages Alliance

  • Lori Porter, Love Akron

  • Michael Rinn, Akron Police Department

  • Malinda Sampsell, United Way of Summit & Medina

  • Tina Sanzone, Akron Children's Hospital

  • Brad Tipper, HATCo / Summa Health

  • Benjamin Tipton, Kent State University

  • Darnell Tucker, Stark State College

  • Dennis VanFossen Jr., International Soap Box Derby

  • Marcus Wainwright, Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A.

  • Heather Yannayon, Summit County Department of Job and Family Services

“Signature is one of the most meaningful ways leaders can come to know Greater Akron and one another,” said Justin Hilton, President and CEO of Leadership Akron. “Class 43 represents a wide range of experiences, industries, and perspectives. As they move through this year together, they will be invited to listen deeply, think differently, and consider how their leadership can serve the community for the long haul.”

“We don’t make progress for the region without continuing to invest in the development of its leaders,” said Steve Millard, a member of the Leadership Akron Board of Directors and President and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber. “This class brings together accomplished leaders already making an impact. Their Leadership Akron experience will increase their exposure, deepen their perspective and solidify connections that can be leveraged for what’s next for our community’s success.”

Through immersive, place-based learning and candid dialogue, Signature participants will explore key areas that influence the strength and future of Greater Akron, including justice, education, public health, economic vitality, arts and culture, and community development. Each program day is designed to expand perspective, foster connection, and create space for leaders to better understand how their own leadership intersects with the region’s shared progress.

Class 43 includes leaders from business, nonprofit, government, education, healthcare, philanthropy, arts and culture, and community development. Together, they reflect the depth and diversity of Greater Akron’s leadership community, bringing varied lived experiences, professional insight, and a shared commitment to serving the region.

The program begins this August and continues through spring 2027. Throughout the year, participants will be challenged to grow not only in what they know about Greater Akron, but in how they connect, collaborate, and contribute to the community’s continued momentum.

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.

In addition to the Signature Program, Leadership Akron offers Diversity on Board, Junior Leadership Akron, NEXT, Insight Akron, Community Leadership Institutes, and other opportunities designed to build a relational ecosystem of leaders committed to strengthening Greater Akron.

For more information, visit www.leadershipakron.org.

IMMIX Marketing
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