This issue is sponsored by:
Stephanie Werren to take LEADERSHIP HELM Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, Denny Saunier, has announced that Stephanie Snow Werren will become the next director of Leadership Stark County, following Fran Wells who stepped down in June after 14 years of service. “Stephanie has been essential to the success of Leadership Stark County, and she assumes the position of director at an important time for our organization,” said Denny Saunier, president and CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber. “She brings both a vision and experience that will not only benefit the Chamber as we implement our strategic plan, but help develop a core of motivated leaders in Stark County with a lifelong commitment to community trusteeship.” “On behalf of the entire board of directors, I congratulate Stephanie on her appointment as Leadership’s next director,” said Darren Faye, vice president, Leonard Insurance Services, and current Leadership Chairman. “As Stephanie takes the reins
as director, we are certain that she will continue to propel the Leadership name in our community, as well as help expand our programming.” A Canton native, Stephanie holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Malone College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science/international studies from Miami University. She resides in Canton with her husband Curt, a Canton Municipal Court Judge and their 16-year-old triplets Jack, Hannah, and Grace who are juniors at GlenOak High School. Stephanie is a 2008 ystark! Twenty under 40! recipient and was named the Malone University Graduate School Alumna of the Year in 2009. Her current community involvement includes North Canton City Council Ward 3 Councilwoman, Plain Local Schools Foundation, and many others. In addition, Leslie Hennessy has been hired as a part-time program assistant to replace Melissa Elsfelder who transferred to another Chamber department. Leslie is married to 23rd Class Signature Program graduate Dustin Hennessy and the mother of three girls. A graduate of Malone University, Leslie brings energy and professionalism to her role.
Second Volume 2015
Key Dates:
JULY 1
Spotlight for Young Professionals program APPLICATIONS ONLINE!
SEPT. 20
2016 Annual Fund concludes
SEPT. 20-22
29th Class Opening Retreat at Atwood Lake
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Healing begins here. Submitted by: Ron Bierman, CEO, Affinity Medical Center Healer. Detective. Adviser. Confidante. Comforter. These are among the many roles the doctors, nurses and hospital staff fulfill each day as they care for patients, families and visitors. Whether it is in our hospital, a physician office or an outpatient facility, they work tirelessly to make sure patients get the care they need. Ask local hospital employees why they chose their health care profession, and you’ll likely hear about their passion for helping others or the rewards of making a difference. The contributions of health care workers are evident every day in the success stories of the patients they serve and in the quality of care they give to the communities we serve. On May 10 - 16, 2015, healthcare organizations across the country celebrated National Hospital Week. National Hospital Week recognizes hospitals and the men and women who support the health of their communities through dedication and compassionate care. We at Affinity Medical Center are proud to honor the work of more than 250 physicians, 850 employees and 100 volunteers.
A strong and vibrant healthcare facility is the heart and soul of a community. Affinity Medical Center is committed to making sure the community has access to the healthcare services it needs. The hospital is known for its exceptional Heart Care and Orthopedic and Spine Center. In addition, we treat close to 30,000 people each year in our Emergency Room and offer a wide array of services including Wound Healing, Pain Management, Therapy Services, Senior Mental Health and so much more. Caring for the sick and maintaining good health for those who are well requires teamwork of the highest level. Support and collaboration are essential. One of the highest compliments is to receive feedback from a patient who expresses their gratitude not only to the clinicians, but to the housekeeper, the valet or the food service worker for their warm smile, comforting touch or willingness to go above and beyond. And so, Affinity Medical Center strives to celebrate all the doctors, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, food service workers, registrars, engineers, environmental, lab and support staff, volunteers and our entire team for the routine and lifesaving medical care they provide each day‌ every day.
SPECIAL THANKS Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Leadership Stark County scholarship endowment fund on behalf of outgoing director Fran Wells. Close to $3,000 was raised through donations and Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Denny Saunier, has pledged matching funds from the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
A lovely reception for Fran was enjoyed by all at the Canton Symphony Orchestra Zimmerman Center.
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Boardsmanship Seminar Joins SIGNATURE Curriculum The newest Signature Program class members will benefit from an added session on boardsmanship skills. Leadership Stark County has offered the half-day Building Better Boards seminar for several years; it is open to the public and class members have been encouraged to attend. Beginning with the 29th class, the boardsmanship seminar is now an integral part of the curriculum. This puts graduates in a strong position to enter non-profit board service. The 2016 Building Better Boards seminar is set for Thursday, March 3, 2016. Mark your calendars now and contact Leadership Stark County if you’d like to attend. The seminar is open to the public and recommended for current or prospective board members along with non-profit staff. The board training seminar is followed by a board matching process that uses a “speed dating” type approach to allow non-profit board members and staff meet a good number of interested, trained, people in a short amount of time. Current and past Signature Program members along with Young Professionals class and Government Academy members are invited to attend. Matches made in our most recent Board Matching event are: AHEAD Inc. - Gwendolyn Davis Aunt Susie’s Cancer Wellness Center for Women - Dianna Huckestein Buckeye Council, BSA - Garrett Jay Brown Canton Ballet - Alexandra Noussias Canton Montessori School - Matt Connelly Canton Palace Theatre Association - James J. Patterson Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health - Andrew Elliott Domestic Violence Project Inc. - Julie Elkins JRC - Veda Davis Lifecare Family Health & Dental Center - Jenifer Hill Massillon Museum - Heather Pennington and Bob Reno Pegasus Farm - Bryan Harris Stark County Hunger Task Force - Joseph Ellwood Stark County TASC, Inc. - Rica Martin Voices of Canton, Inc. - Julie Stieber YWCA Canton - Dawn Moeglin
LEADERSHIP STARK COUNTY | 222 Market Avenue North | Canton, OH 44702 | (330) 456-7253 | www.leadershipstarkcounty.org Stephanie Werren, Director • Joy Walko, Managing Editor • Sarah Lutz, Graphics Manager
Volume 4, Issue 1 | Page 6
Leadership Link is a publication of Leadership Stark County
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Leadership Stark County Leadership Stark County’s Mission is to develop a core of motivated leaders with a lifelong commitment to community trusteeship through training in leadership skills and education about the community.
Signature Program For experienced and emerging leaders
Spotlight for Young Professionals For young professionals aged 24-34
Time Commitment: A 10-month program requiring a commitment of about 1 ½ days per month
Time Commitment: The 6 classes run every other week from 4-6 p.m.
Next program begins: Applications available now. Apply by April 24 for 2015-2016 program. How it works: Candidates are selected based on a written application, interviews, & our commitment to a class that is professionally, geographically, and culturally diverse. Tuition - $2,650 Benefits: Training to enhance leadership skills and provide an understanding of local issues, assets, and resources. With the goal of becoming more involved in Stark County, graduates serve on non-profit boards, take on increased community leadership, and are recognized for their commitment.
LeadershipStarkCounty.org Page 4
Next program begins: September 2015. Applications available in July. How it works: Organizations may register one or a group of employees. Individuals may also apply. Tuition - $475 Benefits: Gain professional leadership skills through StrengthsFinder training An introduction to Stark County resources and non-profits Networking with like-minded young professionals.
2015 Program Offerings
Encounter Bus Tour Government Academy For elected or appointed officials, candidates, or interested citizens
Encounter Bus Tour For those new to Stark County or needing new perspectives
Time Commitment: Classes are twice a week from 4-6 p.m. for a total of 12 sessions
Time Commitment: 1 full day
Next program begins: February 2016 How it works: Register on-line beginning in December 2015. Tuition - $395 Benefits: Expand networks across municipal boundaries Personal leadership development through StrengthsFinder profile. Facilitation by a professor of The Ohio State University
Next Program: October 15, 2015 How it works: Open to the public, make reservations now on-line. Cost $85 per person. Benefits: Explore Stark County’s economic, historic, and cultural resources Learn the range of non-profit opportunities Also great for spouses/partner of employees.
Custom Programs Custom Training & Facilitation For small groups of employees Time Commitment: Varies Next Program: At your convenience How it works & Benefits: Examples of typical programs: 1) Strengths Training • Cost: $400 per hour for 12-30 employees for non-profits. • Heightens understanding of personal leadership capacity and strengthens teams in the workplace. • For employee leadership development • Includes on-line StrengthsFinder profile and 2-7 hours of training 2) Board Matching Includes a 90 minute overview, ½ day seminar, and board matching event • For increasing employees community involvement • Complements corporate values, broadens understanding of Stark County assets and challenges, expedites board service • Cost $600 per person
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Congratulations to Recent Signature Program Graduates The 28th Class of Leadership Stark County’s Signature Program concluded their sessions with a graduation program at Malone University on June 9. An inspiring and motivational keynote address from Malone University president, Dr. David King, preceded the awarding of diplomas to 39 community leaders. Karon Andorka, Director, Pre-Trial Services, Stark County Court of Common Pleas Robert Arnold, MIS Manager, H-P Products Incorporated Gina Bannevich, Marketing Director, Belden Village Mall Michele Boone, Manager of Programs and Evaluation, Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Stark County Karma Cline, Early Childhood Learning Center Operations Coordinator, YWCA Canton Mathew Connelly, District Sales Manager, Hewlett-Packard Company Louise Dalton, General Manager, Global Distribution, The Timken Company Veda K. Davis, Assistant Director of Asset Management, Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority Wendy Davis, Director of Finance and Enrollment Services, Aultman College Kristin Farmer, Judge, Stark County Court of Common Pleas RJ Fryan, Purchasing Manager, Canton Drop Forge Sandie Fusillo, Principal, St. Peter School Patty Gaston, Golf Services Manager, Tam O’Shanter Golf Course Jennifer Harrington, Owner, The Ad Lab Bryan Harris, Technology Director, Stark County District Library Brian Hostettler, Senior Vice President, Key Private Bank Dianna Huckestein, Executive Director-Senior Living Services & Corporate Communications, GentleBrook Maria Klutinoty Edwards, Attorney, Tzangas Plakas Mannos Ltd.
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Ryan Kuchmaner, Attorney, Black McCuskey Souers & Arbaugh, LPA Leslie Letner-Genovese, Senior Manager, Corporate Relations and Special Events, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank Rica Martin-Grubbs, Escrow Officer/Account Executive, Title One Agency Inc. Alex McCallion, Attorney, Day Ketterer Ltd. Dawn Moeglin, Development Coordinator, Stark County Park District Keith Nutter, Area Manager, Aqua Ohio, Inc. Mark Parent, Director, Special Education, Plain Local School District James Patterson, Principal Vehicle Systems Engineer, Hendrickson Trailer Commercial Vehicle Systems. Melissa Patterson, Community Trustee Heather Pennington, Advanced Accountant, Marathon Petroleum Company-Ohio Refining Division Jon Pizor, Front Line Manager, Synchrony Financial Heather Reda, Advancement Assistant, Pathway Caring for Children Jason Smith, Vice President, Commercial Lending Officer, Premier Bank & Trust Bruce Stefancik II, Administrative Director of Radiology, Mercy Medical Center Robert Stewart III, CEO, M. Conley Co. Julie Stieber, Head of School, Canton Montessori School David Talenda, Director, Cohen & Company Erica Thom, Executive Director, AHEAD Inc. Benjamin Tobias, Director, TRiO Student Support Services, Stark State College Stephen Weingart, Vice President for Advancement, Malone University Ryan Wilson, CPA,Vice President, R.J. Wilson & Co., CPA, Inc.
LEADERSHIP Board of Trustees Transitions for 2015-2016 Year As one class graduates and another is selected, the Leadership Stark County Board of Trustees prepares for the coming program year by thanking board members who have completed service and welcoming those newly nominated. These board members have been a source of insight and support in their roles on the board. In appreciation for their service each was gifted with a membership to Friends of Stark Parks, including a walking stick for peaceful hikes during their newfound free time. Keith A. Arner, Partner, Hall Kistler & Company LLP (Class 22) Frank Forchione, Judge, Stark County Court of Common Pleas Aaron Geh, Independent Marketing Consultant (Class 23) Amy Wesely, Floorcare Marketing Manager, H-P Products Incorporated (Class 25) Sandy Womack Jr., Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Cleveland Heights-University Heights City Schools We welcome these new members to the Board of Trustees and look forward to working with them: Michelle Henry, President, Center for Marketing and Opinion Research, LLC (Class 23) Chad Luxenburg, CEO, scitrain ltd. Gretchen Plewak, Human Resource Manager, Marathon Petroleum Company-Ohio Refining Division (Class 21) David Talenda, Senior Manager, Cohen & Company (Class 28) Nancy Varian, Director, Center for Professional Development, Malone University (Class 2)
Young Professionals Leadership Course - APPLY NOW! The Spotlight program is designed for dynamic young professionals (age 25-34) interested in their community. Spotlight offers six sessions that provide personal and professional leadership development along with networking and engaging community service projects.The next Spotlight for Young Professionals program begins in September and applications are available now on our website. In the Spotlight Stark County program you will: • Strengthen your leadership effectiveness using the Gallup StrengthsFinder profile • Be introduced to key issues, leaders, & places shaping our community • Tour non-profits and participate in a community service project. • Engage with other YPs in networking sessions at area cafés and bistros The sessions run from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and are held every other week, September through the first of December. Tuition for Spotlight Stark County is $475. • Tuition assistance is available for candidates from non-profit organizations. • Employer support is required for participation. • Companies may sponsor a cohort of up to 10 employees from their organization Apply now at LeadershipStarkCounty.org/Programs/Apply
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222 Market Ave. N. • Canton, OH 44702
This issue is sponsored by:
28th Class Cultural Diversity Day
Recent sponsors
28th Class Arts Day
28th Class Justice Day
Tom Locke (22nd Class), dba McDonalds Stark County Association for Justice and Bar Association
28th Class Citizenship Day