Leadership Akron

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Signature Class 43 Parks & Environment Day
What makes a park more than a park?
Signature Class 43 spent Parks & Environment Day experiencing some of Greater Akron’s incredible parks, green spaces, and community assets while exploring a much bigger question: how do the places we share contribute to the health and quality of life of a community?
Throughout the day, the class experienced our parks firsthand while engaging in deeper conversations about access, opportunity, stewardship, preservation, sustainability, conservation, and belonging. They considered who has access to these spaces, what barriers may exist, and what responsibility we share in ensuring they remain welcoming and meaningful for generations to come.
Because our parks are more than places to walk, gather, or enjoy the view. They are places where neighborhoods connect, history is preserved, nature is protected, and people experience a greater sense of belonging to their community.
It was another day of expanding perspectives, building relationships, and experiencing Greater Akron through a different lens.
Days like this are only possible because community partners are willing to open their doors, share their expertise, and create meaningful experiences for our leaders. We are especially grateful to Davey Resource Group for sponsoring Parks & Environment Day, to the Akron Zoo for hosting Signature 43, and to the REACH Opportunity Center for its partnership and hospitality.
Thank you to the many leaders who shared their time, expertise, and perspectives with the class:
Bridget Ambrisco – Executive Director, Akron Parks Collaborative, Signature 24
Ana Burns – Senior Area Manager, Davey Resource Group, Inc, Signature 41
Kimberly LoVano – Community Engagement Director, Conservancy for CVNP
Demetrius Lambert-Falconer – Chief, Community Engagement, Summit Metro Parks, Signature 37
Pam Holtz – SVP & Chief External Affairs Officer, Akron Zoological Park, Signature 38
Dan Rice – President & CEO, Ohio Erie Canalway Coalition, Signature 15
Jacqui Ricchiuti – CEO, Keep Akron Beautiful, Signature 34
Lisa King – Executive Director, Summit Metro Parks, Signature 33
Ivan Kassovic – External Affairs, Cuyahoga Valley National Park/NPS
Catherine Timko – President & CEO, Ohio Erie Canalway Coalition
Eufrancia Lash – Director of Neighborhood Assistance, City of Akron, Signature 32
Bambi Miller – REACH Opportunity Center Manager, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, Signature 13
Debbie Barry – Deputy Director, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
Megan Moreland – Executive Director, Cascade Locks Park Association
Doug Piekarz – President & CEO, Akron Zoo, Signature 24
Michelle Camou – Director of External Affairs, Akron Zoo
Todd Boerner – Senior Manager of On-site Programs & Impact, Akron Zoo
Carlos Riveria – Conservation Director, Akron Zoo
Thank you for helping Signature 43 see not only the beauty of the places around us, but the collaboration, leadership, and intentional stewardship it takes to ensure these community assets continue to thrive.

NEXT Class 15 is underway, and what a great way to begin!
Opening Retreat gave NEXT 15 the opportunity to start where meaningful leadership often does: with connection, curiosity, and a willingness to keep discovering what comes next.
The class began by learning more about one another before heading into a day that explored service, creativity, community, and the incredible value of experience.
Lisa Mascellino introduced the class to opportunities through AmeriCorps Seniors and the importance of finding the right fit when choosing where and how to serve. At the Knight Stage, the class heard from Howard Parr and Autumn Rowles about the role volunteers play at the Akron Civic Theatre and the impact of giving your time to something you care about.
At EJ Thomas Hall, Paul Jarrett shared A Legacy Remembered: The Life and Work of Julia Perry, introducing the class to an extraordinary story rooted right here in Akron and reminding us how much there still is to discover about the people and history that have shaped our community.
Back at the Akron-Summit County Public Library, the conversation turned toward encore leadership and an important idea at the heart of NEXT: a lifetime of experience, wisdom, relationships, and skills gives you more to contribute, not less. Leadership continues to evolve, and there are meaningful ways to invest what you know in strengthening Greater Akron.
The day closed with Karen Hrdlicka helping participants begin defining their own NEXT chapters and considering where their experiences, interests, and sense of purpose might lead them.
A special thank-you to our hosts at the Akron-Summit County Public Library, the Knight Stage at Akron Civic Theatre, and EJ Thomas Hall for opening their doors to NEXT 15. And thank you to Toby Gorant for generously sponsoring Opening Retreat.
We are grateful to everyone who shared their time, experience, and perspective throughout the day:
Justin Hilton – President, Leadership Akron, Signature 27
Henry Johnson, Jr. – Vice President, Programs & Operations, Leadership Akron, DOB 6
Matt Wilson – Director of Development, Leadership Akron, CLI 24
Dr Angela M Brake – Program Facilitator, Leadership Akron
Lisa Mascellino – Director, AmeriCorps Seniors
Howard Parr – Executive Director, Akron Civic Theatre
Autumn Rowles – Volunteer Coordinator, Akron Civic Theatre
Paul Jarrett – Executive Director, Akron Symphony
Dr. Cynthia Capers – NEXT 1
Denise Caruso – NEXT 14
Bob Manning, Jr. – NEXT 13
Pam Hickson-Stevenson – Executive Director, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Signature 25
Barb Whiddon – NEXT 11
Karen Hrdlicka – Director, The Center for Family Philanthropy at the Akron Community Foundation, Signature 33
Bruce Spohn – Akron-Summit County Public Library
NEXT is not about stepping away from leadership. It’s about discovering how everything you have learned, experienced, and built can become part of what you do next.
And for NEXT 15, that journey is just beginning.