Leadership Akron Welcomes Three Community Leaders to its Board of Directors
Lakisha Barclay, Tami Bolder, and Alex Shannon join the board as Leadership Akron announces new FY27 Board Officers.
Leadership Akron is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors: Lakisha Barclay, Tami Bolder, and Alex Shannon.
Each brings a strong commitment to Greater Akron, a depth of professional experience, and a demonstrated record of service across business, nonprofit, civic, and community spaces. Their leadership will support Leadership Akron’s work to connect Greater Akron leaders through experiences that deepen community understanding, strengthen meaningful relationships, and prepare leaders to serve the region with greater perspective and purpose.
“At Leadership Akron, we believe leaders matter because Greater Akron matters,” said Justin Hilton, President & CEO of Leadership Akron. “Lakisha, Tami, and Alex each bring a different perspective, but they share a clear commitment to using their leadership in service to this community. Their experience, curiosity, and care for Greater Akron will strengthen the board as we continue building connections that help leaders listen well, work together, and move the community forward.”
Lakisha Barclay, Diversity on Board Class 3, is the Executive Director & CEO of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society, an international association serving professionals in the rubber, polymer, and related industries. Barclay has been with Rubber Division, ACS since 2007, previously served as Director of Finance & Administration, and was promoted to Executive Director & CEO in January 2020.
In her role, Barclay provides operational leadership, serves as a spokesperson, develops partnerships, and works closely with the organization’s Board of Directors, regional Rubber Groups, and the American Chemical Society. She is also committed to advancing diversity initiatives that create opportunities and increase awareness among women, young professionals, students, and racial minority groups in the industry. Barclay currently serves on the boards of Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Ohio, Greater Akron Chamber, Fair Housing Contact Services, and Friends of Main Library.
Dr. Tami Bolder, Signature Class 36, is Director, Northeast Ohio, for CBIZ Valuation Group, where she oversees business valuation engagements for estate and gift tax, exit planning, mergers and acquisitions, and the valuation of intangible assets. She has served as a member of the AICPA Business Valuation Committee, co-authored the AICPA’s Model Curriculum for Business Valuation, and was recently appointed to the AICPA National Judiciary Committee.
Bolder is active in the local community, serving on the board of Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio, where she chairs the Audit Committee, and on the board of the Greater Akron Chamber. She is a past board member of Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio and the Cleveland Bar Association. Her recognitions include the 2026 Forbes Best In-State CPAs list, the inaugural 2025 Forbes Top 100 CPAs for Valuation list, and the 2023 Power of Change Award from the Ohio Society of CPAs.
Alex Shannon, Signature Class 36, is Managing Director, Business Development at Clearstead, where he supports business development opportunities with institutional and private wealth clients. He brings experience in business development, client engagement, philanthropic strategy, financial services, and donor development.
Before joining Clearstead, Shannon worked as a Financial Consultant for Legacy Strategic Asset Management of Wells Fargo Advisors and served as a development officer at Akron Children’s Hospital. He currently serves as an Executive Board Member of the Phi Delta Theta Ohio Epsilon Scholarship Committee and as a Trustee for the Frank J.R. Mitchell Scroll Endowment Fund. He previously served as Board President of the Stark State College Foundation Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Finance Council for the Newman Center at Kent State University. He is also a member of Akron Community Foundation’s Emerging Philanthropists class.
Leadership Akron’s FY27 Board Officers are John Garofalo, Chair; Kemp Boyd, Vice Chair; Michael A. Batu, Treasurer; and Tim Able, Secretary. The organization also extends its gratitude to departing board members Carla Davis, Courtney Eaton, and Dee Williams for their service and commitment to Leadership Akron.
The new board members will be formally introduced at Leadership Akron’s 2026 Annual Meeting & Read Family Difference Maker Award Reception on Thursday, August 20, at Our Lady of the Cedars. Event details and sponsorships are available at: https://www.leadershipakron.org/2026annualmeeting
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.