Signature Class 40 loves their facilitator, Henry Johnson, Jr., our Senior Program Manager!
Upon their completion of the program, they gifted Henry with a special poem entitled City on the Hill. Here are some of the sentiments from the ceremony …
Why we chose this poem for Henry:
Henry, you brought us together and gave us a collective voice. “All of us” is smarter than “any one of us,” and this spoke to us about how you lead and taught us to use our backgrounds, positions, unique abilities, and skillsets to continue making a difference.
Turning up the light / To guide our children
Turning down the noise / So we can truly hear them …
Remembering, your position / Gives you a unique perspective
It allows you to not only accomplish, / But define the directive
Why we chose this poem for Leadership Akron:
When the poem states “What fighting the good fight, while sleeping peacefully at night,” it was clear that as LA 40 participants, and after learning what we have through the program, there are no longer any excuses. This is now each of our responsibilities, to create a safer place for our community.
Sometimes as leaders, the fight can be exhausting. Together, we reenergize and accept our destinies as leaders. This line of the poem spoke to us:
Re-energize and move towards your destiny
Leadership Akron brought all of us together in one setting, but Akron brought us together without us even knowing it. So this portion was important to us:
City on the hill
Still,
You are the guide
Leading a people
Marching together
Learning together
And taking life in stride
We agree with Signature Class 40: Henry is a gift to Leadership Akron and deserves this honor. What a privilege it is to be in commUNITY with each class participant, past, present, and future!
Leadership Akron invites you to celebrate our newest team member … our Engagement & Impact Director Stephanie Smith!
Stephanie comes to us with 25+ years of professional experience in marketing, communications, office management, business, and professional development.
She is passionate about empowering individuals to achieve their priorities, overcome challenges, and cultivate stronger partnerships. By applying CliftonStrengths principles, Stephanie has enabled leaders to drive higher performance and live their best professional and personal lives.
Dedicated to the betterment of our community through organizational consulting, board service, and hands-on volunteerism, Stephanie serves as a mentor and coach — particularly advocating for the advancement of women in their careers. She also:
Serves on the board of ACCESS, Inc.
Has held leadership roles in multiple Chambers of Commerce
Volunteers for various community organizations
Serves as an advocate, member, and frequent patron of The Nightlight Cinema in Akron
Stephanie graduated Leadership Akron’s 2017 Community Leadership Institute Class 4 — and remains quite active as an alum, including service as a co-chair member of her class’s Alumnae Committee.
We are thrilled Stephanie is now part of our “stafFamily” and that she’ll be able to continue transforming our community in this new role. Please join us in welcoming her to the team!
A warm welcome to our Signature Class 41, Diversity on Board Class 9, and NEXT Class 13 participants!
Leadership Akron is proud to introduce the dedicated professionals who have come aboard for these programs!
See Signature Class 41 here …
And check out NEXT Class 13 here!
Every year, the caliber of individuals selected for our programs is a testament to the vibrant potential within Greater Akron. Each of the above classes is no exception, with each member bringing unique experiences and a commitment to not just lead but to make a meaningful difference around them as well.
Leadership Akron’s Signature Program equips leaders to broaden their community influence through a rigorous 10-month journey. Participants delve into key community issues and develop collaborative skills necessary for effective leadership. This year’s class embodies a diverse group of dynamic leaders poised to further enhance their impact across the Greater Akron area.
Our Diversity on Board Program develops diverse talent for nonprofit board service through leadership development, education, and coaching. Participants gain valuable knowledge on board governance, receive personalized coaching, and engage in community service and networking opportunities with leading organizations across the area.
Our NEXT Class is a distinguished assembly of leaders dedicated to shaping Akron's past, present, and future. This innovative two-month program invites individuals at or nearing retirement to leverage their extensive experience and expertise, influencing the community's trajectory through meaningful engagement. NEXT, an acronym for New Endeavors for eXperienced Talent, offers participants a platform to redefine their role within Akron's evolving narrative. By connecting with influential peers and community leaders, participants can deepen their understanding of the region’s history, current challenges, and future opportunities.
As we strive to cultivate community engagement and leadership, our programs are designed to harness the power of effective leadership among as many individuals in our community as possible and who are at various stages of professional development.
The future is brighter thanks to those who choose to get involved and make a difference — and thanks to YOUR partnership with Leadership Akron. YOU are invited to join us in celebrating these leaders at our Annual Meeting later this month (purchase your tickets and get all the details here)!
It’s time for Leadership Akron’s Annual Meeting — and we want to connect with you at this special event!
Join us for an unforgettable evening of SIGNIFICANT MOMENTS, LEVERAGED MOMENTUM, and TRANSFORMATIVE MOVEMENT:
Thursday, August 22, 2024
5:30-8:00 p.m.
Akron Civic Theater
The evening will include:
Networking opportunities
An uplifting program featuring:
Introduction of new Board members
Dynamic presentation from Dave Lieberth about the history of Leadership Akron
Vision for 2024/2025
Introduction of our Signature Class 41, Diversity on Board Class 9, and NEXT Class 13
Single drink and appetizers provided (additional beverages available for purchase)
PLUS: We’ll celebrate Mark and Sandy Auburn together — the 2024 Read Family Difference Maker Award recipients. The Auburns have been highly engaged Leadership Akron Alumni for nearly 15 years. They have taken active roles in assisting with the planning and execution of the Arts and Culture days for the NEXT program and have coached and mentored within the Diversity on Board program. Their service ensures that generations of leaders are inspired, strengthened, and empowered to create a greater Akron … and we can’t wait to honor them for the difference they make in and around our community.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this milestone moment.
We have the honor this November of paying tribute to an extraordinary leader whose vision and relentless dedication have profoundly transformed the Akron community.
During our upcoming Lieberth Community Vision Award Breakfast in November, we are thrilled to celebrate Sylvia Trundle, retired captain of the Akron Police Department’s patrol division, with the prestigious 2024 Lieberth Community Vision Award.
Sylvia is a proud graduate of Leadership Akron Signature Class 25, where she has exemplified the values and mission of the organization through her professional and volunteer efforts.
She has been recognized with multiple community awards, including the Women's Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation’s Judith A. Read Tribute Award for Service and Advocacy for Women and the Women’s Network of Northeast Ohio’s Women of Achievement award.
She’s also a certified law enforcement executive and a graduate of both the FBI National Academy and the Police Executive Leadership College.
Since her retirement in July 2017, Sylvia has continued to serve the community through her involvement with numerous boards, including Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Girls On The Run, Akron Community Foundation (Immediate Past Chair), and Truly Reaching You.
Save the date and join us for this meaningful morning together: Thursday, November 7, 7-9 a.m., at the John S. Knight Center!
Plus, you can become a sponsor ahead of time! Be sure to choose the sponsorship level best suited for you here.
Looking forward to seeing you — and honoring yet another incredible leader in Greater Akron whose dedication to service is worth celebrating.
Leadership Akron is excited to announce the addition of two outstanding leaders to its Board of Directors:
Tim Able, Executive Vice President and Partner at SeibertKeck Insurance Partners
Aimee Wade, Executive Director of the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board
Each member brings a wealth of experience to their position.
Tim is a proud graduate of Leadership Akron Class 38. He has been with SeibertKeck Insurance Partners since 2012 in various risk-management and sales roles. Today, as Executive Vice President and Partner, he promotes the company’s strong culture of giving. Tim founded the SeibertKeck Easter Basket Mission and drives initiatives in the communities surrounding the company’s 20 offices across Ohio, Kentucky, and Florida. Tim also serves on the boards of ACCESS, Inc. and Stewart’s Caring Place.
His previous community involvement includes serving on the boards of Akron Snow Angels and Akron Children’s Hospital Ambassadors of Hope, as well as participating in community and leadership programs with Heart to Heart and Leadership Akron. Tim is also a graduate of Akron Community Foundation’s Emerging Philanthropists program.
An Ohio native, Tim earned a business degree from Miami University, where he met his wife of 21 years, Julie, a sixth-grade teacher. They live in Copley with their children, Hudson (17) and Harper (11). Tim enjoys volunteering, golfing, and searching for “treasure” at flea markets, yard sales, and antique stores.
Aimee is a distinguished member of Leadership Akron Class 35 and has more than 13 years of service with the ADM Board, advancing to the position of Executive Director in 2021. Her career spans various roles in social services and criminal justice across Ohio. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Criminology from The Ohio State University and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Akron.
Aimee is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervisory Designation and an International and Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant. She also completed Harvard Business School’s Strategy for Healthcare Delivery Program. Her community involvement is extensive: She served as Board Chair for the Ohio Prevention Professionals Association and is a member of the Summit County Opiate Abatement Advisory Committee, Summa Community Engagement Committee, Athena Akron, and Akron Rotary. She has also been recognized by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation as a 2023 Sojourner Truth Legacy Project Unsung Shero and received the 2024 Ohio Prevention Professionals Association’s Prevention Visionary Award. Aimee resides in Akron with her husband, their two adult daughters, and one granddaughter.
We eagerly anticipate the innovative perspectives and fresh ideas they will contribute to Leadership Akron. Their dedication to community impact, influence, and service aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire, strengthen, and empower leaders to create a greater Akron.
Welcome aboard, Tim and Aimee!
NEW for Leadership Akron alumni:
There’s an important change to our annual alumni paid membership program. And while we understand that change can be challenging sometimes, we are here to ensure you have all the information and every detail you need.
We will not be continuing the annual alumni paid membership program, and therefore no longer creating a membership status distinction between active and inactive alumni.
Instead, all alumni are invited to attend all Leadership Akron events in 2024 and will have access to the entirety of our online directory. As of July 1, 2024, we transitioned to a “pay to attend” model for those who want to attend our Annual Meeting, Lieberth Community Vision Award Breakfast, and/or Holiday Party events.
Your support for Leadership Akron keeps us on track and walking toward a bright future full of possibility and dedicated to empowering leaders of every neighborhood, every background, and every experience in Greater Akron.