September 9, 2026 – The community is invited to join Leadership Mahoning Valley in officially welcoming the Class of 2027 at the Leadership Mahoning Valley Kick-Off Breakfast on Thursday, September 24, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. at The Grand Resort in Warren. Selected from a record number of applicants, the Class of 2027 represents a diverse group of emerging and established leaders from businesses, nonprofits, government, education, healthcare and other sectors throughout the Mahoning Valley.
“We are thrilled to welcome this outstanding group of leaders to Leadership Mahoning Valley,” said JoAnn Stock, President of Leadership Mahoning Valley. “The strength of LMV has always been the people who come together through this experience. This class brings tremendous talent, experience and perspective, and I am excited to see the connections they will build and the impact they will make throughout the region.”
The breakfast will provide an opportunity for family members, friends, colleagues, business and community leaders, and LMV alumni to come together to celebrate the newest class and recognize their commitment to leadership and service in the Mahoning Valley. “We want the community to be part of this moment,” said Stock. “These 44 individuals have made a commitment to invest in themselves, their leadership and our region. We hope their colleagues, friends, family members and fellow community leaders will join us to celebrate them, cheer them on and send them into their LMV journey with a strong show of support.”
The Leadership Mahoning Valley Signature Program is designed to identify, educate and motivate community leaders to address the challenges facing the Mahoning Valley. Throughout the nine-month program, class members will explore the region’s history and heritage, government and justice, health and human services, quality of life, business and economic development, housing and community development, education and nonprofit leadership.
In addition to learning from community leaders and experts, participants will have opportunities to develop their own leadership skills, build meaningful relationships with fellow class members and gain a deeper understanding of the issues and opportunities shaping the Mahoning Valley.
Advance registration is required. Individual guest registration is $50. Table sponsorships are also available for $1,000 and include a table for eight guests with premium seating and additional recognition. Register at www.leadershipmahoningvalley.org/events
The 44 members of the Leadership Mahoning Valley Class of 2027 are:
- James Augustine, Senior Manager, Cohen & Co
- Dawnielle Ballard Crosby, Program Director, Molina Health Care
- Sherri Bercheni, F.V.P. Retail & Deposits, Operations and Remote Delivery Experience, 7 17 Credit Union
- Evan Bollinger, Technical Service Manager/Project Engineer, ms consultants
- Kieran Davis, Business Advisor, Youngstown Business Incubator
- Adam DiCristofaro, Director of Quality Assurance and Compliance, Trumbull County Children Services
- Valerie Dill, Owner, Business Manager, All Star Auto Group, LLC
- Haley Donaldson, Clinical Supervisor, Alta Care Group
- Shellie Duchek, HR Director, Potential Development
- Samantha Ensminger, Marketing Manager, Trumbull County Tourism Bureau
- Chris Frazzini, Vice President, Lewis Construction
- Kimberly Garrett, Executive Director & Fiscal Officer, Warren-Trumbull County Public Library
- Ryan Glinn, Co-Founder, Managing Partner, Tolmiros Financial Designs
- Karen Guerrieri, Clinical Supervisor, Mahoning County Juvenile Court
- Jeremy Gurski, Plant Manager, Hynes Industries
- Brent Kelley, Business Agent. Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 396
- Aubrey Kudler, Senior Applications Engineer, Dearing Compressor
- Dr. Thomas Macabobby, Associate Chief Academic Officer, Mercy Health, Youngstown and Lorain
- Megan Malara, Innovation Hub Director, National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (America Makes)
- Nicole Mastrian Hovis, Senior Human Resources Generalist, Vallourec Star, LP.
- Tia May, Classroom Administrator, Youngstown State University Rich Center for Autism
- Ryan McNaughton, Director, Marketing and Development, Cadence Care Network
- Katie Merrill, Coordinator, Cliffe College of Creative Arts Community Engagement and Events, Youngstown State University
- Kristina Miller, Director, HR Strategic Partner, St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital & St. Joseph Warren Hospital, Bon Secours Mercy Health
- Michael Moliterno, Chief Operating Officer, The Business Journal
- Shelley Murray, Chief Executive Officer, Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries, Inc.
- Chelsey Palmer, Director, Eastern Ohio Area Health Education Center
- Kyowa Pegues, Regional Community Development Officer, WesBanco Bank
- Erin Phemester, Chief Experience Officer, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County
- Nicole Ramson, Senior Manager, Schroedel, Scullin & Bestic, LLC
- Sean Robinson, Chief of Probation, Youngstown Municipal Court
- Victoria Rusu, Director of Engagement and Investor Relations, Lake to River Economic Development
- Anthony Scrocco, Senior Financial Advisor, HBKS Wealth Advisors
- Jim Smith, Regional EHS Manager, Metalico Youngstown, Inc.
- Linette Stratford, Magistrate, Mahoning County Juvenile Court
- Amanda (Mandy) Thiry, Vice President – Relationship Manager, PNC Bank
- Cassandra Valentini, Chief of Community Development and Public Relations, Direction Home of Eastern Ohio
- Belinda Weiss, Museum Director, National McKinley Birthplace Memorial Museum
- Krystal Whetzel, Human Resource Business Partner, Cooper Machinery Services (Altronic)
- Jordyn White, Office & Marketing Manager, Advanced Technology Partners
- Eboni Williams, Director of Culture & Climate, Youngstown City School District
- Denise Wolf, Executive Director, Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, Youngstown Area Jewish Federation
- Kristin Woods, Branch Manager II, Farmers National Bank of Canfield
- Robyn Young, Senior Clinical Nurse Manager, NICU and Special Care Nursery, Akron Children’s Hospital
“We believe leadership development is about more than gaining knowledge—it’s about building relationships, expanding perspectives and inspiring people to become more engaged in their communities,” Stock said. “We look forward to watching the Class of 2027 grow together over the next nine months.”
Leadership Mahoning Valley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to identify, educate and motivate community leaders to address the challenges facing the Mahoning Valley.
The Leadership Mahoning Valley Signature Program is the region’s only community leadership program. Since its founding 42 years ago, LMV has graduated more than 1,400 community leaders who have gone on to serve the Mahoning Valley in business, government, nonprofit organizations, education, healthcare and numerous other fields.
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About Leadership Mahoning Valley:
Leadership Mahoning Valley is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation created to identify individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences who demonstrate leadership talent and a strong commitment to the Mahoning Valley. Founded 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. Since its inception, the program has cultivated more than 1,400 alumni who continue to make meaningful contributions in business, nonprofit, and civic life across the region. While the hallmark nine-month Signature Program remains at the core of its work, new initiatives such as the Lessons in Leadership Speaker Series, Women’s Leadership Network, On Board! Board Training and BoardMatch Program, and the Nonprofit Leadership Resource Network have expanded the organization’s reach and relevance. Planning is also underway for LMV NXT!, a program for emerging managers, and for the revitalized Youth Leadership Mahoning Valley initiative. For more information, visit www.leadershipmahoningvalley.org