Leadership Akron to Honor Jennifer Venarge DiSalvo with 2026 Read Family Difference Maker Award
Leadership Akron will honor Jennifer Venarge DiSalvo, an alumna of Leadership Akron’s Signature Program Class 38, with the 2026 Read Family Difference Maker Award, one of three honors presented through Leadership Akron’s Life Trustee Awards Trinity, at its Annual Meeting & Read Family Difference Maker Award Reception on Thursday, August 20, at Our Lady of the Cedars.
The Read Family Difference Maker Award was created in 2017 to honor the Read family, Roger, Judy, and Scott, in recognition of their involvement in advancing the mission and work of Leadership Akron, promoting community leadership, and strengthening the Akron community’s well-being. Each year, the award recognizes an individual, group of individuals, or couple whose efforts have been instrumental in expanding the scope or impact of Leadership Akron’s mission and work.
Jennifer is being recognized for significantly advancing Junior Leadership Akron through four years of consistent, hands-on service. She has attended every program day, assisted with program planning and advisement, and coached and mentored students throughout their experience. Her sustained commitment reflects the heart of the Read Family Difference Maker Award: service that strengthens Leadership Akron’s mission today while investing in present and future generations of leaders.
“Jennifer’s impact on Junior Leadership Akron is not only measured by the number of program days she has attended, but by the way she shows up for students with consistency, care, and belief in who they are becoming,” said Justin Hilton, President and CEO of Leadership Akron. “Her leadership reflects what this award was created to honor: service that expands Leadership Akron’s mission, strengthens the next generation, and leaves a lasting mark on Greater Akron.”
Jennifer’s recognition also carries a meaningful family connection to the history of Junior Leadership Akron. Her mother, Cheryl Venarge of Signature Class 8, helped transition the program from the Junior League of Akron to Leadership Akron 38 years ago, working alongside then-Leadership Akron Executive Director Mary Ann Boland to ensure the program could continue serving young leaders in the community.
Today, Jennifer continues that legacy through her own investment in students, bringing the same people-first approach that shapes her professional leadership into her volunteer service with Junior Leadership Akron. As Vice President of Human Resources at APV Engineered Coatings, the oldest manufacturing company in Akron, DiSalvo serves on the Executive Team and oversees talent acquisition, employee training, leadership development, benefit management, and coaching around resume writing, interviewing, and soft skills.
Through her professional work and volunteer service, Jennifer’s leadership aligns with Leadership Akron’s belief that leadership is a long-term commitment to people, relationships, and community, one that expands leadership experiences across generations and helps Greater Akron move forward.
The Leadership Akron 2026 Annual Meeting & Read Family Difference Maker Award Reception will bring together Leadership Akron alumni, community partners, and supporters to celebrate the organization’s work, welcome the newest members of Signature Program Class 43, Diversity on Board Program Class 11, and NEXT Program Class 15, and recognize Jennifer’s impact.
Details about the event can be found here:
https://www.leadershipakron.org/2026annualmeeting
Individuals and organizations wishing to honor Jennifer’s impact are invited to consider an event sponsorship to support her recognition and advance Leadership Akron’s mission. For details or to inquire, please contact Matthew Wilson at mwilson@leadershipakron.org or visit https://www.leadershipakron.org/sponsoranevent2026. Details for individual ticket sales will be announced at a later date.
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