Torchbearers

Thank you to all the current Torchbearers, alumni, family and friends who joined us at the game last night! Connection is a key pillar of the Torchbearers' experience. While many connections are forged through our Leadership & Development trainings and community service projects, we also make sure to intentionally get together for no other reason besides having fun!

Looking for a fun night out that also gives back? ⚾️🦆

Join us at the Akron RubberDucks game on this Thursday, August 6 and help support the mission of Torchbearers! Every ticket purchased through our special link directly supports the work we're doing to invest in the next generation of leaders—all while you enjoy a great night at the ballpark.

Invite your friends, bring the family, and help us pack the stands for a great cause.

Get your tickets here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Torchbearersakron2

We love a TB love story! Rachelle Yarbrough is a TB alumna from the Class of 2022, and her husband James is a member of our Class of 2026. Not only do they volunteer together, they involve the next generation by bringing their child with them. A few weeks ago, the trio volunteered at Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs. Together, along with other TB alumni and current members, they helped serve dinner to campers.

Many Torchbearers choose to continue growing and learning with the organization after their first year. A few weeks ago, our Continued Leadership & Development cohort met at gracehouseakron to discuss diversity and how to understand our own complex identities. After a session with Hope & Healing, members toured Grace House Akron with TB alumna, Ashley Manning!

Congratulations to the current Torchbearers members who are being recognized by the Greater Akron Chamber as 30 For The Future Honorees! These young leaders are impacting more than our organization. They use their talents to better the community. We couldn't be more proud of this group!

* Sam Harsh, Class of 2025, Events Committee Co-Chair
* Alexis Santora King, Class of 2022, Current President
* Alison Matas Smith, Class of 2025, Leadership & Development Co-Chair
* Megan Hatfield, Class of 2025, Membership Co-Chair
* Meka Purie-Moore, Class of 2025, Community Impact Committee
* Marissa Rufe, Class of 2026, Community Impact Committee

Meet Greater Akron's 2026 30 For The Future Honorees!🔥

There are countless professionals leading our region forward, and we are pleased to announce these 30 innovative individuals:

▪️Forrest Boggs | Towpath Credit Union
▪️Jason Brunn | PNC Bank
▪️Abby Burke | Roetzel & Andress
▪️Kate Calla | Summit County Juvenile Court
▪️Michael Class | Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
▪️Darnell D Davis Jr MPA | Business Volunteers Unlimited
▪️Nathan Dreger, Ph.D. | Avient Corporation
▪️Nicole Dumont | NRDesign.Arch
▪️Joy Edwards | Akron Children's Museum
▪️Richard Gibson | Students With A Goal
▪️Samantha Harsh | Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio
▪️Alexis King | City of Akron, Ohio - Mayor's Office
▪️Anna King | Development Finance Authority of Summit County
▪️Kristi Lambert | The JADFA House
▪️Alison Matas Smith | Schauer Group, Inc.
▪️Clarence D. Mitchell, III | BMX Technologies
▪️Francine Parr | Akron Civic Theatre
▪️Nick Glavan | Synthe6 Materials Accelerator, Bounce Innovation Hub
▪️Megan Gossett Hatfield | Early Childhood Education Director and Teacher, Fairlawn-West Preschool
▪️Ashley Hamilton | Huntington Bank
▪️Meka Purdie-Moore, CA | Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center
▪️Marissa Rufe | NAI Pleasant Valley
▪️J. Noah S. | Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
▪️Abigail Spraggins | Abby's Helping Hands, Hopeful Hearts
▪️AJ Wadian | Premier Home Pros
▪️Jeremy Wascak, CUDE | 7 17 Credit Union
▪️Andrew West-Barry | Summit County Executive’s Office
▪️Jeananne W. | Amer Cunningham Co., L.P.A.
▪️Rosemarie Wilkins (Amore), MTax, CFP®, CEPA® | Huntington Bank
▪️Jaimie Yu | Purell Hand Sanitizer, Clorox Purell

Help us congratulate the 2026 30 For the Future cohort by giving your colleagues, friends, and neighbors a shoutout in the comments. 👏

🗓️ Or join us to celebrate this year's honorees in person on Sept. 18.

More info: https://lnkd.in/eF8WZ7Sx

We're proud to live, work and support Akron! We're grateful to Signal Akron for telling Akron's story. Want to help us write the next chapter? Applications for the Class of 2027 close today: https://torchbearersakron.com/apply/

A sponsored post from Torchbearers: In 2025, Torchbearers Akron members participated in over 3,000 hours of community service across approximately 112 unique organizations.

With more than 125 Greater Akron Chambers' 30 For the Future recipients, the connections you make in Torchbearers will take you far. Our Leadership & Development sessions empower young professionals and introduce them to established leaders, including our alumni network of more than 600 individuals.

Applications for the Class of 2027 close June 30! Apply today: https://torchbearersakron.com/apply/?utm_source=signal&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=recruitment26

We’ve been posting a lot lately about why you should apply for Torchbearers. Now, we want to share why some of our current members decided to join the organization!

Whether you’re looking to develop professionally, make new friends, meet a mentor, or spend your time intentionally giving back to the community; there is a path forward for you in Torchbearers. Applications for the Class of 2027 close on June 30! Start your Torchbearers journey by applying today: https://torchbearersakron.com/apply/