New Executive Leader Reception 2025
Honoring our community’s newest top decision-makers and leaders

Thursday, February 27th

at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens Manor House

The New Executive Leader Reception celebrates individuals who have stepped into a top executive or decision-making role in 2024, highlighting those poised to impact our community significantly. Whether new to the area or stepping into a new significant leadership role, these leaders are at the heart of our event. We'll recognize, celebrate, and introduce them to our vibrant community of established leaders and Leadership Akron Alumni.

Event Details

  • Thursday, February 27, 2025

  • Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens Manor House

  • 5:30 - 8:00 pm

Honorees are leaders who:

  • Serve as a top decision-maker or C-suite executive in a private, public, or nonprofit organization located in Greater Akron (Summit County or nearby counties with strong Akron ties).

  • Lead organizations that are well-established and make an impact on our community.

  • Are in roles with significant community influence, such as reporting to the CEO, Board of Directors, or overseeing a major operation.

  • Have accepted prestigious roles outside Greater Akron that elevate their leadership profile (Alumni only).

Criteria for Honorees

Meet Our Honorees

  • Captain Bramwell Applin

    Area Coordinator
    The Salvation Army - Summit County Area Services

  • Captain Jana Applin

    Associate Area Coordinator
    The Salvation Army - Summit County Area Services

  • Christopher Barker, MPH

    Health Commissioner
    Summit County Public Health

  • Kimberly Beckett

    President
    Downtown Akron Partnership

  • Tarun Bhalla, MD, MBA, FAAP

    Chief Clinical Officer
    Akron Children's Hospital

  • Nathan Briggs

    Executive Director
    Autism Society of Greater Akron

  • Nick Browning

    President & CEO
    Summit County Humane Society

  • Angela Carter

    Chief of Staff
    Akron Public Schools

  • Mella Castner

    Executive Director
    Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs, Inc.

  • Robert DeJournett

    President & CEO
    Black Chamber of Commerce

  • Tim Edgar

    Executive Director
    Tarry House, Inc. & Project Beginnings I

  • Lashawrida Fellows

    Deputy Director of Human Resources
    City of Akron

  • Amber Genet Barkoukis

    Executive Director
    Embracing Futures

  • Jennifer Gerow

    Chief Curator
    Akron Art Museum

  • Richard Gibson

    Executive Director
    Students With A Goal (SWAG)

  • Laura Gleason

    Director of Human Resources
    Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board

  • Mark Greer

    Executive Director
    Akron 200

  • Brian Harding

    Police Chief
    City of Akron

  • Sonya Hartburg

    Executive Director
    RAHAB Ministries

  • Leon Henderson

    Fire Chief
    City of Akron

  • Michael Hunt

    Senior Director of IT&S
    Western Reserve Hospital

  • Harry Kamdar

    Chief Executive Officer
    Asian Services in Action (ASIA), Inc.

  • Steven Kaut

    Executive Director
    Akron Rural Cemetery Association

  • Eufrancia Lash

    Director of Neighborhood Assistance
    City of Akron

  • Sierjie Lash

    District Chief
    Akron Fire Department

  • David Laughlin

    Deputy Chief
    Akron Police Department

  • Josh Lehman

    President
    Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio

  • Jeremy Lile

    Chief of Leadership & Learning
    United Way of Summit & Medina

  • Shefali Mahesh, MD

    Pediatrician in Chief
    Akron Children's Hospital

  • Chuck Mullen

    Partner, Great Lakes Regional Market Leader
    Eide Bailly

  • Robert J. ("RJ") Nemer

    President
    The University of Akron

  • Sierra Oden

    President
    Torchbearers

  • Jason Ondrus

    Superintendent
    Barberton City Schools

  • Scott Pascu

    Deputy Chief
    Akron Fire Department

  • Kishan Patel

    Executive Director
    Firestone Park YMCA

  • Natalie Pillsbury

    President & CEO
    PBS Western Reserve

  • Brynn Popa

    Executive Vice President
    Greater Akron Chamber

  • Hayley Rayl

    Executive Director
    Green Family YMCA

  • Todd Ritzman, MD, FAAOS, FAOA

    Surgeon in Chief
    Akron Children's Hospital

  • Tiffany Roper, M.Ed., LPC

    Director of Outreach & Parent Education
    Early Childhood Resource Center

  • Casey Shevlin

    Director of Sustainability and Resiliency
    City of Akron

  • Larry Stevenson

    Chief Executive Officer
    Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

  • Dave Vitatoe

    President
    St. Vincent-St. Mary High School

  • Lisa Wheeler-Cooper

    Executive Director
    American Heart Association

  • John Williams

    President & CEO
    Akron Urban League

  • Evelyn Williams

    Executive Director
    Global Ties Akron

  • Sapphire Young

    Director of People & Culture
    Akron Art Museum

  • Brittany Zaehringer, Esq.

    Chief of Staff
    City of Akron