Akron, OH – (December 1, 2022) – Torchbearers is proud to announce that 40 of Greater Akron’s emerging leaders have been selected from an exceptionally competitive field to join Torchbearers in 2023.
Applicants completed a detailed process to be considered for membership, including completion of a written application and an interview with current Torchbearers members. The entire process spanned three months and culminated with a group of diverse candidates from various backgrounds and experiences.
“I am thrilled to welcome 40 new emerging leaders into the Torchbearers Class of 2023,” said Meghan Meeker, Torchbearers President. “This group of exceptional individuals come from many different industries and backgrounds and share a dedication to being an involved part of the ongoing improvement of Greater Akron through service. In 2023, Torchbearers will be celebrating its 20th anniversary and this class will be joining a long legacy of service-minded young leaders who, I know, are also celebrating their acceptance into such a life-changing organization.”
These forty up-and-coming leaders will join approximately 80 other active members in the journey to develop personally and professionally as they strive to make meaningful contributions to the Greater Akron community.
The new class will meet for a social event in mid-December and commence their year-long leadership and development cohort program in January. Applications for the Class of 2024 will be available in the spring at TorchbearersAkron.com.
Torchbearers is delighted to announce the following outstanding leaders for the Class of 2023:
Monica Andress, Brennan, Manna & Diamond, LLC
Theresa Attalla, Bounce Innovation Hub
Gina Betti, Edward Jones
Sean Blake, City of Akron: Water Distribution
Michael Bowman, Carter Lumber
Tiara Broady, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio
Kendall Bryte, Tramonte Distributing Company
Matthew Burke, Nestle
Joseph Carle, Huntington National Bank
Michael Carlson, TRIAD
Jason Chapman, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Ayesha Cotton, Community Legal Aid Services, Inc
Charde Deans, The Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
Alyssa Figueroa, Summit Education Initiative
Gabriel Forté, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Nicole Hagy, Akron Municipal Court
Emanuel Henderson, Akron Preparatory School
Christina Jefferson, Unity Health Network
Tara Jefferson, The Self Care Suite®
Joshua Jones, Jopara LLC / Winery at Wolf Creek
Dee McCall, The Freedom BLOC
Darrick McGhee, Oriana House
Rebecca Miklos, FirstEnergy
Amanda Miles, Signet Jewelers
Deanna Miller, Brouse McDowell, LPA
Chloe Muir, The Intergenerational School
Sagarika Naik, Arcadis
Reyna Perez, Akron Public Schools
Keasia Ray, Americas Pharmacy Source
Ben Reker, Signal Tree Financial Partners, LLC
Chloe Russell, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Erica Rymer, Akron Zoo
Brandy Scheule, OverDrive
Jeremy Seeden, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio
Allyson Smith, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition
Heather Steele, Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC
David Swirsky, AMATS
Arell Tee, Americorp Vista
Candace Tell, Self Employed
Bradley Wimer, Descartes Aljex
For more information on Torchbearers, please visit torchbearersakron.com.
Torchbearers is an organization of emerging leaders focused on enhancing the Greater Akron community through leadership development, talent attraction and retention, and community service. Founded in 2003, Torchbearers work to enrich the community by connecting, developing, and engaging leaders in our community and leaders of the future.
In 2009, Leadership Akron and Torchbearers signed an agreement to work more closely together to foster leadership across generations. Today, the membership is over 100 strong and reflects the diversity found across the community. To learn more about Torchbearers, please visit torchbearersakron.com.