Program Continues to be a Vital Resource for Community Leaders

The Leadership Medina County Signature Class, the “Grateful Givers,” and LEAD Institute finished a nine-month leadership program. The classes, consisting of 64 community members from various backgrounds, took part in the program with the objective of learning about the community, enhancing their leadership skills, and utilizing these skills to benefit their communities, employers, and businesses.

Throughout the program, the class was challenged with several projects designed to help Medina County. The group worked in teams on a total of five initiatives, including 32 Acts of Kindness, QPR Training, the Point in Time Count, Know Your Numbers, and The Longest Table. These projects resulted in touching over 7,070 people and over 2,362 hours of volunteering, which, according to the Nonprofit Leadership Center, translates to a value of $75,119.55. The teams collaborated with many organizations such as the Medina County Health Department, Alternative Paths, Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority, and Wadsworth City Schools to name a few.

One notable achievement by the LEAD Institute was the donation of $107,592 to various local charities. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the members of the class, as well as their individual commitment to giving back to their community.

Executive Director Colleen Rice said, “The Signature Class and LEAD Institute graduation is a significant accomplishment for these leaders. Our graduates will go on to make a tremendous impact within our community, and we are excited to see how they will continue to lead with excellence.”

Founded in 1991, the program continues to be a vital resource for community leaders to enhance their leadership skills and make meaningful contributions to the growth and development of Medina County. The next cohort is scheduled to begin in the Fall of 2023.

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Signature Class of 2023, the “Grateful Givers”

Kelly Aughenbaugh, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Alexis Beal, Cleveland Clinic

Lucy Blumer, Westfield Bank

Crystal Brown, CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC

Alecia Dailide, RPM International Inc.

Joshua Duerr, SeibertKeck Insurance Partners

Jenna Elswick, Medina County District Library

James Fox, Community Action of Wayne and Medina Counties

Julie Haas, Hertvik Insurance Group

Kimberly Haws Falasco, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

Jason Ivory, The Ivory Team – Howard Hanna

Eric Jackson, Wadsworth City Schools

Sarah Kost, Suncrest Hospice

Ashley Krause, The Children’s Center of Medina County

JT Krohe, DBS Communications

Andy Little, Sparton Enterprises LLC

Sara Lynn, Medina Police Department

Crystal Madrilejos, Self-Employed

Alfonso Makiling, Bank Of America

Brooke Mott, Brooklyn Media LLC

Janet Newcomer, Akron Canton Regional Food Bank

Mary Ruth Patton, Habitat for Humanity Medina County

Erica Powers, Westfield

Kris Randa, Kris Randa + Co. HR Consulting

Robert Richards, Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities

Isaac Smith, Medina County Park District

Laurel Theurer, Dairy Farmers of America | Mideast Area

Mary Toth, Community Volunteer

Kathleen Verhest, Brunswick City Schools

Marielena Wallace, Huntington National Bank

Kenneth Wolff, Wolff Brothers Supply

Kaci Wright, Root Candles

Catherine Young, Westfield

 

LEAD Institute Class of 2023

Kerrie Bellar, Bellar Events

Elizabeth Bickel, Westfield Bank

Dawn Blue, Wolff Bros Supply Inc

Alyssa Burckard, Chik-fil-A

Amy Busby, Medina City Schools

Jeramee Caraballo, Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities

Connie Costanzo, WestPoint Wealth Management, LLC

Denise Dawkins, Cleveland Clinic Medina

Jenny Duncan, Duncan Real Estate Team

Anamaria Feyervari, Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center

Cary Granakis, Serenite Restaurant and Culinary Institute

Eric Hange, Medina County Soil & Water Conservation District

Daniel Holahan, Medina County District Library

Joshua Holland-Gresock, Holland & Muirden, Attorneys at Law

Christie Jackson, MDG Flooring America

Rachael Kosakowski, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates

Gabrielle Pagura, The Biz Hive

Rachael Potesta, Schneiders Saddlery

Alexis Radford, Alternative Paths

Stephanie Reed, Community Volunter

Lauren Rohal, Alternative Paths, Inc.

Casey Shirey, Luke Engineering

Sharon Sibilski, Medina County Health Department

Kash-Shae Singleton, Lorain County Children Protective Services

Richard Smith, Signet Jewelers

Ashley Spencer, Smith Bros. Inc.

Samantha Steele Hang, EXP Realty

Michael Stonkus, RPM International Inc.

Christina Thomas-Lewin, The Will-Burt Company

Emily Walter, Medina County Sanitary Engineers

Christy Wilmoth, Rapid Mortgage Company