Leadership Akron to Honor Marty Hauser with 2026 Lieberth Community Vision Award
Leadership Akron will honor Marty Hauser, a member of Leadership Akron’s Signature Program Class 11, with the 2026 Lieberth Community Vision Award, one of three honors presented through Leadership Akron’s Life Trustee Awards Trinity, at the Lieberth Community Vision Award Breakfast on Thursday, November 5, from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. at the John S. Knight Center.
Created in 2012 to honor the life and leadership of Leadership Akron founder and life trustee Dave Lieberth, the Lieberth Community Vision Award recognizes a leader who approaches opportunities, challenges, and issues through the lens of the whole community. Recipients reflect the vision, pragmatism, work ethic, and commitment to community causes that have characterized Lieberth’s leadership while making a significant impact across multiple sectors in Greater Akron.
Marty, the award’s 14th recipient, is being recognized for decades of leadership that have extended far beyond any one position, organization, or sector. A lifelong resident of the Akron area, he has spent nearly 45 years in healthcare while investing his time and leadership in organizations working to strengthen Greater Akron.
“Marty has spent decades doing what this award was created to recognize: seeing Greater Akron as a whole and putting his leadership to work wherever it can make a difference,” said Justin Hilton, President and CEO of Leadership Akron. “He brings vision to the big picture, but he is also willing to do the work, build the relationships, and stay engaged for the long haul. Marty reminds us that community-centered leadership isn’t defined by a title. It is defined by how consistently you show up and what becomes possible for others because you did.”
Marty spent nearly 35 years in leadership roles at Akron City Hospital and Summa Health System. In 1990, working collaboratively with Summa Health System and community physicians, he founded SummaCare and served as its President and CEO until his retirement in 2014. He also held leadership roles in planning at Summa Health System and served as System Vice President and Chief Government Relations Officer. Following his retirement from SummaCare, Marty continued his healthcare career with ExactCare, ultimately serving as Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Accounts before retiring from the company at the end of 2021.
Marty’s leadership has extended well beyond his professional career. Throughout his career and into retirement, he has remained deeply engaged in Greater Akron, bringing his experience and perspective to organizations across healthcare, philanthropy, and community service. He currently serves as the first board chair of the Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron, is the immediate past board chair of Akron Community Foundation, chairs the Sisler McFawn Foundation, and serves on the board of Peg’s Foundation. He also serves as Managing Director and Facilitator of the CEO Healthcare Roundtable, providing programming and mentorship for young hospital and health system CEOs.
Marty has remained deeply connected to Leadership Akron as well. In addition to being a member of Signature Class 11 and having served on Leadership Akron’s Board of Directors, he continues his involvement with Leadership Akron as a facilitator of its Insight Akron program.
That continued investment reflects a central belief of Leadership Akron: leadership is a lifelong commitment to community, not a title. Marty’s willingness to continue sharing his experience, relationships, and perspective demonstrates the kind of community-centered leadership the Lieberth Community Vision Award was created to celebrate.
The 2026 Lieberth Community Vision Award Breakfast will bring together Leadership Akron alumni, community partners, supporters, and leaders from across Greater Akron to celebrate Marty and his decades of service to our community.
Additional information about the event can be found here:
https://www.leadershipakron.org/lcvawardbreakfast2026
Individuals and organizations wishing to honor Marty’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