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 2026.
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.
“We are proud to welcome this new class, whose talent and commitment will further strengthen the Greater Akron area,” says incoming 2026 Torchbearers President Alexis King. “This cohort joins a legacy of hundreds of leaders who are dedicated to advancing our community, and we look forward to seeing the impact this group will make in the months and years to come.”
Monique Rice, incoming Torchbearers 2026 Vice President, is also optimistic about this year’s class. “Each incoming class represents the very best of Greater Akron, and the Class of 2026 is no exception. They are a group of dedicated individuals, united by a shared desire to shape our region’s future for the betterment of all. I’m eager to see the amazing things these young leaders will accomplish together.”
The new class met for a social event in mid-December and commenced their year-long leadership and development cohort program in January. Applications for the Class of 2027 will be available in the spring at TorchbearersAkron.com.
Torchbearers is delighted to announce the following outstanding leaders for the Class of 2026:
Jyesse Behling, Early Childhood Resource Center
Nicholas Bello, Akron RubberDucks
Kelly Chaplin, Akron-Summit County Public Library
Ryan Chapman-Smith, United Way of Summit & Medina
Amber Coughlin, Phoenix Performing Arts
Leah Davis, Goodwill Industries of Akron
Jakob Dorsey, Novak Insurance Agency
Nicole-Elaine Farrell, Rubber City Development Consulting (Self)
Austin Ferguson, Tuesday Musical Association
Franchesca Fernandez-Breedlove, Arts & Letters Consulting
Lauren Heyman, Summa Health
Matthew Hribar, Akron Art Museum
Shaniqua Ingol, Cisco Systems
Erikah Jackson, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
DeAnne Josey, City of Akron – Akron Fire Department
Amy Joyce, Akron Children’s Hospital
Candace Love, Minority Business Assistance Center in the Akron Urban League
John Malone, Emmanuel Christian Academy
Brandon McArdle, Oriana House, Inc.
Connor McHugh, City of Cuyahoga Falls
Kaylan Mills, Pyx Health
Joseph Mittica, City of Akron
Matthew Neely, MacNeely Group
Jazmyn Olmstead, The Azalea Institute
Ashley Richter, Naturaclaimed Media
Amanda Rinaldi, The Well CDC
Malia Rivera-Speer, Akron Community Foundation
Deborah Rosa, United Way of Summit & Medina
Marissa Rufe, NAI Pleasant Valley
Heather Schnurr, Towpath Credit Union
John Skakun, City of Akron
Madison Smith, Summa Health
Ché Thomas, Development Finance Authority of Summit County
Eric Walker, Witschey Witschey & Firestine Co., L.P.A.
Emily Walsh, State Farm
Maxwell Warner, County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board
Casey Warren, Babcox Media
Clayton Warren, Harbor Freight Tools
James Yarbrough, Akron-Summit County Public Library
April Zuchniewicz, Signet Jewelers