Congratulations Institute for Leadership & Advocacy Class of 2019

​By: Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce​

​The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce congratulates the individuals who yesterday graduated from the 2019 Institute for Leadership & Advocacy. These graduates join the more than 350 leaders who have completed this public service leadership program which continues as the longest running of its kind in the state

​The graduation ceremony took place at the National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo and included a keynote address from The Honorable Christine Mayle, Presiding Judge, Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals, who provided encouraging words from her experience prior to and upon serving in elected office. The event also included remarks from Wendy Gramza, President & CEO, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Ben Brown, Vice President, USI Insurance Services and Chairman of Chamber’s Leadership Fund PAC.

The Institute is a 10-week course designed to prepare emerging leaders to effectively serve their communities and work with public officials. Participants engage in discussions about the issues, requirements and expectations associated with public service. Sessions are taught by highly-experienced professionals comprised of public officials and other regional leaders. The Institute includes year-long engagement in activities and events.

The 2019 program was sponsored by Shumaker Advisors, and also made possible by the Chamber, the Leadership Fund, the Ohio State University Extension, and the Ohio Sea Grant College Program. We congratulate each of the following 2019 Institute graduates:

Wendy Bejaige, Triad Residential Solutions
Joe Cappel, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
Shunda Collins, United Way of Greater Toledo
Glen Cook, C&W Tank Cleaning, Inc.
Brenda Corr, Owens-Illinois
Hannah Dearth, ConnecToledo
Mac Driscoll, ConnecToledo
Chase Eikenbary, Regional Growth Partnership
Ed Ewers, Penta Career Center
Elissa Falcone, The University of Toledo
Douglas Fee, American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio
Kari Gerwin, TMACOG
Hannah Grohowski, Toledo Lucas County Public Library
Sara Guiher, TMACOG
Patrice James, Regional Growth Partnership
William Laranga, Ally Financial
Austin Lipowski, Mercy Health
Kevin Milliken, Lucas County Children Services
Steven Powell, City of Toledo
Amy Priest, Lucas County Mental Health & Recovery Services
Valerie Roeber, MaritzCX
Ranya Sarsour-Jallad, Medical Scribing Solutions
Brandon Sehlhorst, Regional Growth Partnership
Krystal Starling, American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio
Yvonne Thoma-Patton, Eastern Maumee Bay Chamber of Commerce
Kara Vickers, Owens Corning
Brody Walters, City of Perrysburg
Zachary Weimer, Medical Mutual of Ohio
Amy Wexler, The University of Toledo