Press Releases
January 30, 2025
Leadership Akron Announces 2025 New Executive Leader Honorees
Leadership Akron is proud to announce the distinguished honorees for its 2025 New Executive Leader Reception, an annual event recognizing top decision-makers who have stepped into significant leadership roles within the Greater Akron community. This year’s honorees represent a dynamic and diverse group of leaders who are poised to make a lasting impact in their organizations and the region. The New Executive Leader Reception, being held on February 27, 2025, at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, will celebrate these influential individuals by introducing them to Leadership Akron’s extensive network of alumni and community partners, fostering connections that drive meaningful change.
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 & CEO, Downtown Akron Partnership
Tarun Bhalla, MD, MBA, FAAP – Chief Clinical Officer, Akron Children's
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, Glendale Cemetery
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 – CEO, 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
"These leaders embody the values of Leadership Akron—creating connections, fostering collaboration, and shaping a more vibrant and engaged community," said Justin Hilton, President and CEO of Leadership Akron. "Their leadership will help drive meaningful change in Greater Akron, and we are honored to celebrate their achievements and welcome them into our community’s network of changemakers."
The achievements of this year’s honorees will be celebrated at Leadership Akron’s New Executive Leader Reception on Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens Manor House, where Leadership Akron alumni, business and nonprofit leaders, and community partners will gather to recognize and welcome them. The evening will include a formal recognition ceremony, networking opportunities, and remarks from community leaders.
Event sponsorship opportunities are currently available, offering businesses and community organizations a chance to align with Greater Akron’s most influential new leaders. Individual ticket sales open the week of February 3, 2025. For more details and to secure your spot, visit www.leadershipakron.org/NELR2025.
About the New Executive Leader Reception
The New Executive Leader Reception is an annual event that welcomes Greater Akron’s newest top decision-makers, connecting them with Leadership Akron’s extensive network of alumni, business and nonprofit leaders, and community partners. This event fosters meaningful relationships that drive collaboration and community impact, ensuring that these leaders are not only recognized but also integrated into Greater Akron’s leadership ecosystem. More information about this year’s honorees and the event can be found here: www.leadershipakron.org/NELR2025.
About Leadership Akron
For over 40 years, Leadership Akron has inspired, strengthened, and empowered leaders to create a Greater Akron. Through unique experiences and partnerships with local leaders, Leadership Akron provides a platform for emerging and established leaders to contribute to the community's vibrancy. For more information about Leadership Akron, visit www.leadershipakron.org.
