At an event held on Wednesday, June 4 at The Grand Resort in Warren, Leadership Mahoning Valley celebrated the 41 individuals who recently completed the Leadership Mahoning Valley program year. This year’s graduation also marks the organization’s 40th anniversary of providing leadership development programs in the Mahoning Valley.
The program year began on September 25, 2024. The members of the class met monthly to develop their personal leadership skills and to learn more about the Mahoning Valley community. Through this immersive, interactive program which included a series of speakers, tours, hands-on activities and site visits, participants gained knowledge of programs, services, businesses, and institutions in our
community. Program days were centered around specific topics such as History and Heritage of the Valley, Government and Public Service, Health and Human Services, Education, Business and Economic Development, Housing and Community Development, Justice and Public Safety, Quality of Life and more. Additionally, participants participated in a DiSC© Assessment designed to gain a deeper
understanding of themselves and others. They enhanced their personal leadership development by increasing the skills necessary to raise self-awareness and improve teamwork, productivity, and communication.
JoAnn Stock, Leadership Mahoning Valley executive director said, “Although this is the end of the program year, this is just the beginning of the leadership journey upon which these 41 outstanding individuals will continue.” Stock added, “At the beginning of the program year, these individuals made a commitment to continue to serve our community upon graduation. The relationships which they have formed and the knowledge that they have gained will lead to future collaborations and community service including future leadership roles within their organizations as well as within our community.”
Members of the Class of 2025 are:
Tarik Awad, Senior Tax Manager – Cohen & Company
Krista Beniston, Economic Development Coordinator – Eastgate Regional Council of Governments
Taylor Ginnis Bergana, Associate Relationship Manager – Key Private Bank
Mark Buchenic, VP/ Regional Director – ms consultants
Dante Capers, Associate Superintendent – Warren City School District
Tina Chance, Resource Development Director – United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley
Mark Chapman, Assistant General Manager – Metalico Youngstown
Nicholas Chretien, Regional Planning and Development Director – Western Reserve Port Authority
Brian Coulter, Attorney – Roetzel and Andress
Morgan Cretella, Community Engagement Coordinator – Trumbull Career and Technical Center
Frank Demain, Director of National Accounts – Aim Transportation
Erin Driscoll, Executive Director – Student Experience and Residence Life – Youngstown State University
Ronnell Elkins, Owner – YoGo Bikeshare
Lamont English, Chief Executive Officer – Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority
Jenna Ficken, Human Resource Manager – Berk Enterprises
Sue Filipovich, Owner/Broker – Burgan Real Estate
Jeff Fishel, Branch Manager – First National Bank
Charlotte Gardiner, President – Mercy Health St. Joseph Hospital Warren
Paul Grier, Group Facilitator – Mahoning County Juvenile Court
Emily Huggins, CPA, Manager and Marketing Coordinator – Packer Thomas
Melissa Jupp, Chief Operating Officer – Potential Development
Sarah Keeler, Vice President of Government Affairs – Youngstown State University
Timothy Kiedrowski, Director of Government and External Affairs – Mercy Health
Zachary Machuga, Financial Advisor – Wells Fargo
Nicole Mansky, Nurse Manager, Mahoning Valley Pediatrics – Akron Children’s Hospital
Megan Martin, Department Director, Out of Home Services – Trumbull County Children’s Services
Michele Merkel, President – Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio
John Montgomery, Business Banking Relationship Manager – WesBanco
Andrew Ochman, Business Development Manager – Dawn Incorporated
Danielle Pesta, Corporate Trainer – Phantom Fireworks
Meghan Reed, Executive Director – Trumbull County Historical Society
Amy Reynallt, Senior Manager/Regional Director Manufacturing Solutions – HBK CPAs and Consultants
Gregory Rhoton, Community Marketing and Local Programming Manager – Armstrong
Lee Schwebel, Trustee and Director – Schwebel Family Foundation
Julie Sole, Director, North America CapEx Office – Vallourec
Jason Thomas, Project Engineer – National Center for Defense Manufacturing/America Makes
Esmeralda Vargas, Mobility Manager – Customer Service Supervisor – Western Reserve Transit
Authority
Kathleen Vrable-Bryan, District Administrator – Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District
Merry Wagner, Owner/Principal – Macchione Richardson and Wagner Insurance Agency
Justin White, Co-Owner and Chief Executive Officer – Advanced Technology Partners
Marla Zelinsky, Probation Supervisor – Mahoning County Juvenile Court
Download the event program to read more about the event
Paul Homick, President of Mercy Health Foundation and LMV Board Chair, said “We are honored to welcome the members of the Class of 2025 as the newest members of the Leadership Mahoning Valley Alumni Group.” In the past 40 years, over 1,300 alumni have graduated from the program and are now serving in leadership roles within their organizations and the community.
Stock also announced that plans for the coming year are to continue the expansion of the organization’s leadership development educational initiatives to include Youth and Young Professional programming, On Board! Board Training, a Women’s Leadership Institute, Lessons in Leadership speaker series in addition to the 41 st year of the signature Leadership Mahoning Valley 9-month program.
Stock announced that applications for the next program year, which will begin in September 2025 are now available. Applications can be found at www.leadershipmahoningvalley.org.
About Leadership Mahoning Valley
Leadership Mahoning Valley is a non-profit corporation created to identify individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences who demonstrate leadership talent and community commitment. Created in 1984 and governed by a volunteer board, LMV is one of more than 300 community leadership programs in the United States and is a member of the Association of Leadership Professionals (ALP). The core Leadership Mahoning Valley (LMV) signature program is an extensive 9-month leadership training program that incorporates key community concepts, current leadership themes and training opportunities. In addition to the signature Leadership Mahoning Valley training program, specialty leadership development programs targeting specific affinity groups such as Youth, Young Professionals, On Board! Board Training, a Women’s Leadership Network and the Lessons in Leadership Speaker Series will be offered.