2024 Holiday Party
&
Distinguished Leader Award
2024 Holiday Party & Distinguished Leader Award Honoring Phil Maynard
Thursday, December 12, 2024
E.J. Thomas Hall
Esteemed Alumni - You’re invited to an evening of connection, celebration, and recognition at our annual Alumni Holiday Party and Distinguished Leader Award presentation!
Join your fellow alumni for this show-stopping performance at E.J. Thomas Hall, where we will celebrate our past achievements, honor the present with the prestigious 2024 Distinguished Leader Award, toast to a future filled with possibility, and close the curtains on another successful year!
Afterward, stick around for an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek as the Akron Symphony Orchestra rehearses their Holiday Pops concert at 7:30 PM in the E.J. Thomas Hall auditorium!
4:00 – 5:00 PM Alumni VIP Reception - $50/ticket
Exclusive meet and greet with Leadership Akron Life Trustees, Phil Maynard Family Foundation, Dave Lieberth, and Roger Read, featuring previous Leadership Akron award winners as our special guests, including:
Janeen Akins, Distinguished Leader Award, 2020
Dr. Steve Ash, Read Family Difference Maker Award, 2020
Roxia Boykin, Read Family Difference Maker Award, 2020
Nick Browning, Distinguished Leader Award, 2017
Dr. Cynthia Capers, Read Family Difference Maker Award, 2020
Theresa Carter, Lieberth Community Vision Award, 2016
Christine Curry, Distinguished Leader Award, 2020
Robert DeJournett, Read Family Difference Maker Award, 2020
Marty Hauser, Distinguished Leader Award, 2020
Horace Highland, Distinguished Leader Award, 2020
Dr. David James, Lieberth Community Vision Award, 2019
Dave Lieberth, Lieberth Community Vision Award, 2012
William Lowery, Distinguished Leader Award, 2010
Sherry Neubert, Distinguished Leader Award, 2022
James Nilsen, Distinguished Leader Award, 1991
Roger Read, Read Family Difference Maker Award 2017
Scott Read, Read Family Difference Maker Award 2017; Distinguished Leader Award 2006
Norma Rist, Distinguished Leader Award, 2016
Michael Robinson, Distinguished Leader Award, 2020
Kathy Romito, Distinguished Leader Award, 2020
George Sarkis, Distinguished Leader Award, 2000
Steven Schmidt, Distinguished Leader Award, 1995
Dannika Stevenson, Distinguished Leader Award, 2020
Karen Talbott, Lieberth Community Vision Award, 2021
Kristin Toth, Distinguished Leader Award, 2017
Sylvia Trundle, Lieberth Community Vision Award, 2024
Christine Yuhasz, Distinguished Leader Award, 2010
Danny Zampelli, Read Family Difference Maker Award, 2021
Appetizers and two complimentary drink tickets
5:00 – 7:00 PM Alumni Holiday Party & Award Presentation - $50/ticket
Network with fellow Leadership Akron alumni cast members, previous Leadership Akron award winners (Distinguished Leader Awards, Lieberth Community Vision Awards, Read Family Difference Maker Awards), and our Life Trustees!
A program dedicated to celebrating Akron's finest leadership, featuring:
Presentation of the 2024 Distinguished Leader Award
Insights into the future endeavors of Leadership Akron
Appetizers and one complimentary drink ticket. Additional beverages available for purchase.
Don’t Forget! Stick around after the Alumni Holiday Party for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops concert rehearsal at 7:30 PM. This special experience is included with your ticket—don’t miss it!
This is your cue to secure your seats to honor incredible community leaders and envision a future where we create a GREATer Akron, together!
Phil Maynard
2024 Distinguished Leader Awardee
This year, Leadership Akron is honored to rename its Distinguished Leader Award in memory of Phil Maynard, an extraordinary leader, philanthropist, and steadfast advocate for Greater Akron. Phil will be posthumously recognized as the 2024 recipient of the newly named Maynard Distinguished Leader Award at our annual Holiday Party.
Phil’s legacy in Akron is one of tireless dedication, from his rise as a local business leader and founder of ASW International to his influential roles with Leadership Akron, Akron Children's Hospital Foundation, Akron-Canton Foodbank, and numerous nonprofits. His work helped strengthen the Greater Akron community in lasting ways, including his pivotal role in establishing Leadership Akron’s endowment fund to support future leaders.
As a Life Trustee of Leadership Akron, Phil co-founded the NEXT program to guide experienced leaders transitioning to retirement into impactful roles and he generously mentored Signature class participants. His passion for service and commitment to the next generation’s success make him a fitting namesake for this award.
Join us at the Leadership Akron Holiday Party on December 12 at E.J. Thomas Hall to celebrate Phil’s life and legacy, as well as the remarkable leaders who continue to shape Greater Akron’s future.