Leadership Stark County

10/29/2026

Our YLA seniors enjoyed the most beautiful sunrise yesterday before kicking off their final year of Youth Leadership Academy! 🌅

Hosted at Goodwill's Ken Weber Community Campus, our YLA seniors kicked off their SERVE Year by learning about Goodwill's mission and community impact, reconnecting with classmates through interactive icebreakers, and partnering with the Stark County Hunger Task Force to pack food backpacks for local students and create cards of encouragement.

Students also explored the importance of servant leadership with George Rosche of Chick-fil-A Dressler Road before working in teams to design and pitch student-led service projects, one of which they'll bring to life during their final YLA program day.

A huge thank you to Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio, Inc., Stark County Hunger Task Force, George Rosche, and our lunch sponsor, DiBella's Old Fashioned Subs, for making this day possible! We're grateful for our community partners who invest their time and resources in developing Stark County's next generation of leaders.

LEARN. GROW. SERVE.

Youth Leadership Academy is a three-year experiential leadership program for Stark County high school students. Through LEARN, sophomores build self-awareness through Gallup CliftonStrengths and explore Stark County's businesses, nonprofits, and community issues through hands-on experiences. During GROW, juniors strengthen their leadership skills while exploring education and career pathways. Now, in their senior year, students SERVE, putting their leadership skills and community knowledge into action through hands-on service opportunities and working together to design and carry out a student-created group service project that addresses a local community need!

10/28/2026

For Session 5 of Spotlight, we took another look at our Gallup CliftonStrengths and what they actually look like in action!

Building on what we learned during Session 2, we challenged the class to think about how their strengths show up in everyday situations. If someone followed you around at work for a day, what strengths would they see you using?

Through conversations and activities, participants explored how their natural talents influence the way they communicate, solve problems, make decisions, and work with others.

We also discussed how our strengths can sometimes get in our way when we overuse them. Becoming a better leader isn't just about knowing what you're good at. It's about understanding when and how to use those strengths, recognizing your blind spots, and appreciating the different strengths others bring to the table.

A big thank you to Jenn Warner and The Legacy Project of Stark for hosting us at the 708 and providing a great space for our class to learn and connect!

Hard to believe we have just one session left before our Fall 2026 Spotlight class graduates!

10/26/2026

Grab a friend and join us for a festive mixology class! 🍹🎄 Learn to make holiday cocktails and mocktails while catching up with fellow alumni.

Register here: https://business.cantonchamber.org/event-calendar/Details/leadership-alumni-mixology-class-1928361?sourceTypeId=Website

Catching up with Leadership Stark County + ystark! this week! Register at cantonchamber.org/event-calendar.

10/23/2026

⚔️ SWORDS UP! Our Youth Leadership Academy juniors kicked off their GROW Year at Walsh University!

Junior year is all about developing leadership skills, exploring educational and career pathways, and building confidence for whatever comes next!

New campus, new perspectives, and some valuable lessons along the way!

Here's what our juniors took away from the day:

Find your purpose. Pick Nick Morris for Ohio challenged students to think about what gives their lives meaning and how to put that purpose into action.

Say YES to opportunities! Walsh student leaders shared their experiences navigating college life, balancing responsibilities, and stepping into leadership roles. Their advice? Get involved, try new things, and be open to the unexpected!

Stay curious and adaptable. Professor Marc Biss explored AI vs. Actual Intelligence, challenging students to think critically, embrace change, and recognize that their future paths may look different than they expect.

Students also explored Walsh's campus and got a taste of college life with lunch at Schervish Dining Hall!

The biggest takeaway? There's no single path to success. Growth comes from exploring your options, discovering what matters to you, and having the courage to take the next step.

A huge thank you to Walsh University, our speakers, student panelists, and YLA committee members for making this day possible!

📍 Next stop: Malone University!

10/22/2026

How many did you check?

Whether you’re an executive director or nonprofit staff member, already serve on a board, or have been asked to join one and said “maybe,” Leadership Stark County and BVU (Business Volunteers Unlimited) have your next step.

Step 1: Board Training, Friday, Nov. 13
Learn the 7 basic responsibilities of a board member, the trends shaping today’s nonprofit sector, and how to find the board that fits you. The morning wraps up with a panel of Stark County board and nonprofit leaders.

Step 2: Board Matching, Friday, Dec. 4
Meet 10–15 local nonprofits in quick 5-minute conversations. When the interest is mutual, we’ll connect you so the conversation can keep going.

Doors open at 8:30 AM | Program 9:00–11:30 AM

$80 per session | $50 per session for Signature alumni (include your class number when registering)

Board Training is required to participate in Board Matching.

Not ready to be matched yet? You’re welcome to attend Board Training on its own.

Registration is open now!
Board Training: https://shorturl.at/jFWSV
Board Matching: https://shorturl.at/XhYue

10/16/2026

Session 4 of our Fall Spotlight Program was all about Leadership in Action!

Thank you to Dan Lowmiller and the Stark Educational Service Center for hosting us and giving our class a chance to learn more about the work they do in our community.

We started the evening with Dr. Nick Morris from Walsh University, who shared why understanding your purpose is so important. He also left us with a challenge to step outside our comfort zones and invite someone we admire or want to get to know better out for coffee. Sometimes all it takes is starting a conversation!

Next, we heard from Shanna Ebert of The Timken Company, Serena Draper Hendershot of Schauer Group Inc., and Donn Angus of the City of Canton. Each shared lessons from their own leadership experiences, advice they've picked up along the way, and ways to get more involved in our community.

One of our favorite parts of the evening was breaking into smaller groups with each panelist. It gave our participants a chance to ask their own questions, have more personal conversations, and build relationships with leaders right here in Stark County.

That's a big part of what Spotlight is all about. Not just learning about leadership, but getting to know the people who are putting it into practice in our community.

Thank you again to everyone who helped make Session 4 a great evening!

10/09/2026

You asked, we listened. Board Training and Board Matching are BACK!

After hearing the need from our community, Leadership Stark County is partnering with BVU Volunteer Connect to bring Board Training and Board Matching back.

Whether you’re an executive director or nonprofit staff member, serve on a nonprofit board, or want to get involved, this one’s for you.

At Board Training, you’ll:
-Understand the 7 basic responsibilities of a board member
-Learn the trends and challenges shaping the nonprofit sector
-Find your fit and know the right questions to ask
-Hear from a panel of Stark County board and nonprofit leaders

Then take the next step at Board Matching! Meet 10–15 local nonprofits in a speed-networking format and find the board that fits you. You must complete Board Training to participate in Board Matching.

Board Training: Friday, Nov. 13
Board Matching: Friday, Dec. 4
Doors 8:30 AM | Program 9:00–11:30 AM
$80/session | Signature alumni discount available (include your class number when registering)

Spots are limited.
Register for Board Training: https://shorturl.at/ZBsCX
Register for Board Matching: https://shorturl.at/ov1rS

10/08/2026

What a way to kick off the year! 🎉

Yesterday, YLA Sophomores from 19 schools across Stark County came together at Exploration Gateway at Sippo Lake Park for our Youth Leadership Academy Opening Retreat, and they brought the energy all day long.

Here’s what they took on:
-Icebreakers, team challenges, and a photo scavenger hunt
-Everyday leadership through Drew Dudley’s “lollipop moment”: you don’t have to wait to lead
-Mapping the strengths and assets in their communities
-Writing the headlines Stark County could make five years from now
-Discovering and learning about their Top 5 CliftonStrengths
-Communication games that had teams working toward a common goal

Thank you to our sophomores for their enthusiasm, to parents and guardians for their support, and to our school partners for helping make the day possible! A special thank you to Chick-fil-A on Dressler Road in North Canton for generously sponsoring a delicious lunch for our students! We’re excited for the year ahead!

Next up: Resiliency & Healthcare Day!

10/06/2026

Every Signature journey starts with being open to saying “yes.” Hear why the 40th Class said yes, and get a glimpse of what made their Opening Retreat so special.

Our 2 days at Salt Fork Lodge and Conference Center were filled with connection, conversation, new perspectives, and dedicated time to bond as a class. Most importantly though, they left the retreat with a solid foundation ready for 10 months of growth and discovery.

This incredible group of leaders dove into their Core Values, GallupStrengths, and what leadership REALLY looks like, including how to bring it all together in an Integrated Life.

We’re especially grateful to Employers Health, our 40th Class Sponsor, for investing in Stark County’s leaders, and to Genevieve Nisly Photography, our Headshot Sponsor, for capturing this group so beautifully.

And a big thank you to our team and Opening Retreat Committee for bringing it all together: Sara Heckert (Chair), Johnny Santora, Allie Kreiner, Damon Gallucci, Matt Petrick, and Margaret DeLillo-Storey.

Drop a comment and cheer on 40th Class as they begin their Signature journey!