Leadership Akron

Mark your calendar?and grab your tickets for our next Leadership on Main!? When: March 12, 7:30 - 9 a.m. Where:?The Duck Club at Canal Park Cost: FREE Register now:?https://lnkd.in/g_iQ9kue Our speaker, Chief Brian Harding has served with the Akron Police Department for 29 years. He has been a supervisor in patrol, the detective bureau, the Office of Professional Standards and Accountability, Technical Services, and Deputy Chief of the investigative subdivision. Chief Harding earned his bachelor's degree in technical education from the University of Akron and complemented an associate degree in criminal justice. He has a commitment to lifelong learning shown by his recent graduation from Leadership Akron Class 39 and his completion of Police Executive Leadership College. Chief Harding's dedication to community welfare extends beyond his law enforcement duties. As an advocate for victims' rights, he currently serves as a board member of the Victim Assistance Program. Furthermore, he has played pivotal roles in fostering collaboration between law enforcement and the community, serving as a liaison for the Citizen Police Oversight Board, Summit County Child Fatality Review Board, and spearheading initiatives such as the establishment of the Summit County CART team and the Northern Ohio Amber Alert system. He has been married to his wife, Michelle for 29 years and they have two adult children.

Thank You to Our Strengthening Sponsor! We are incredibly grateful to EY (ey.com) for their generous support as a Strengthening Sponsor of the 2025 New Executive Leader Reception! Your investment helps us recognize, celebrate, and connect Greater Akron’s newest top decision-makers, ensuring they are welcomed into a strong, engaged leadership community. Together, we are strengthening the network that drives impact, collaboration, and growth across our region. #LeadershipAkron #NewExecutiveLeaderReception #ThankYouSponsors #EY #AkronLeadership #CommunityImpact

Thank You to Our Visionary Sponsors! A huge thank you to our Visionary Sponsors for supporting the 2025 New Executive Leader Reception: Barberton City Schools City of Akron Department of Human Resources Danielle J. Kimmel, CPA M7 Holdings Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs Your support helps us recognize and connect Greater Akron’s newest top decision-makers, ensuring they are welcomed into a strong leadership community. Your investment strengthens the network of collaboration, impact, and leadership shaping our region’s future. #LeadershipAkron #NewExecutiveLeaderReception #ThankYouSponsors #AkronLeadership #CommunityImpact

Thank You to Our Inspiring Sponsor! We are incredibly grateful to Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board (summitdd.org) for their generous support as an Inspiring Sponsor of the 2025 New Executive Leader Reception! Your investment helps us recognize, celebrate, and connect Greater Akron’s newest top decision-makers, ensuring they are welcomed into a strong, engaged leadership community. Together, we are strengthening the network that drives impact, collaboration, and growth across our region. #LeadershipAkron #NewExecutiveLeaderReception #ThankYouSponsors #AkronLeadership #CommunityImpact

See you there! Don't miss the Diversity on Board (DOB) Open House on March 6 from 5:30-7 pm at the Akron Zoo. Get to know participants and learn more about how the program is impacting our community. Gather a few friends, and register today. Register here:?https://lnkd.in/gxX2yE5C

Social Services Day gave Signature 41 a deeper look into the challenges, opportunities, and bright spots shaping our community. From hearing firsthand experiences of those facing hardships to witnessing the impact of organizations providing critical support, the class gained a new perspective on the role of social services in creating lasting change. A huge thank you to United Way of Summit & Medina, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, and Alpha Phi Alpha Homes for hosting, and to Kim Phan Wolff for sponsoring the much-needed coffee! And of course, a special shoutout to our incredible speakers who shared their expertise and passion for strengthening our community: Andre Campbell, Chief Diversity Officer, United Way of Summit & Medina, Signature 38 Tanya Kahl, Vice President, 211 & Basic Needs, United Way of Summit & Medina Terri Burns, Director, County of Summit Department of Job and Family Services, Signature 35 Stephanie Dodson, Deputy Director, Family and Adult Services Cathi Rufener, Deputy Director, Elder and Disabled Services Monique Rice, Program Manager, Administrative Services Heather Yannayon, Deputy Director, Workforce and Program Services Colleen Benson, Chief Development Officer, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Signature 40 Katie Carver Reed, Vice President & COO, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Signature 37 Shana Miller, Interim Executive Director, Summit County Continuum of Care Steve McGarrity, Executive Director, Community Legal Aid Services Inc, Signature 37 Joe Scalise, Director, Housing Services, United Way of Summit & Medina Jackie Hemsworth, Executive Director, Access, Inc., Signature 40, Moderator Albert Bragg Jr. Ph.D., Executive Director, Alpha Phi Alpha Homes Inc., Signature 39 Teresa Stafford, CEO, Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center, Signature 41 Debbie Barry, Deputy Director, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority Karla McDay, Founder & Director, Harmony House Inc., Signature 38 Jeff Wilhite, Executive Director, Family Promise of Summit County, Signature 7 Annie McFadden, Interim President & CEO, United Way of Summit and Medina, Signature 37 Nathan Briggs, Executive Director, Autism Society of Greater Akron Madhu Sharma, Executive Director, International Institute of Akron Dr. Aimee Budnik, Vice President of Operations, Community Action Akron Summit

Congratulations to Signature 38 graduate Richard Fry! ?? Your dedication to your clients, and contributions to the legal and business communities is truly inspiring. We’re proud to celebrate this well-earned recognition with you! #Signature38 #LAalumni #BusinessExcellence #UA #Simonetti

Congratulations to Michael A. Miller, Signature Class 41 participant, on his promotion to Deputy Chief of the Akron Police Department! ???? His dedication to service and leadership continues to make a lasting impact on our community. Wishing him all the best in this new role! #Signature41 #LAalumni #CommunityLeadership #AkronPolice #PublicService

Something I gained from the day that was surprising or unexpected... "The Open Space Conversations were fantastic. I gained so much from listening to classmates' ideas and thoughts on several topics." When we listen with open minds, so much can be accomplished! Our program days give leaders the space to practice this type of listening and thinking.

Is this your year to participate?in Leadership Akron? We think it is!? Starting on March 1, you can apply to the Signature Class or Diversity on Board. ?? The Leadership Akron Signature Program is a 10-month program for our region’s top leaders across sectors who are interested in broadening their community impact. Each day-long experience is designed by Leadership Akron alumni who have expertise in the field of interest for that day. In addition to each month’s day-long seminar, short site visits to unique locations provide a deeper understanding of the topic at hand. The program not only engages and informs the top leaders of our community’s companies and organizations, it creates meaningful bonds with other like-minded individuals of diverse backgrounds. ?? Diversity on Board focuses on developing diverse talent for service on nonprofit boards through a program of leadership development, education and coaching. Participants are fully supported on their journey toward fulfilling, effective board service. Throughout the program, participants gain valuable knowledge on all aspects of board governance and leadership, receive personalized coaching from established leaders within the nonprofit and public sectors, and engage in board shadowing, community service and networking opportunities with many of the leading organizations throughout Summit County.