Congratulations to the 2023 Graduates of the Institute for Leadership & Advocacy, presented by Huntington

​The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce congratulates the 34 individuals who have completed their public service and leadership training as a part of the 2023 Institute for Leadership & Advocacy, presented by Huntington. The 2023 cohort is the largest cohort the program has ever seen. With the completion of the 22nd year, the Institute is the longest running program of its kind in the state of Ohio. The participants join an alumni network of more than 500. The graduates were honored for their accomplishments at a ceremony on April 3 at the Glass City Pavilion with a keynote address from State Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson.
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The Institute is a professional development program that was created to help strengthen the foundation of the region’s business and community leaders to enable them to better serve their organizations and communities. Participants engaged in discussions about every aspect of public service including requirements, expectations, and issues surrounding public office. Discussions also took place on what it means to be a leader and how to build upon already existing skills. Each session was taught by highly experienced professionals, from both the public and private sector.

New to the program this year was the introduction of a capstone project. The project is meant to synthesize all information learned in the Institute as well as personal knowledge. The goal of the project was to identify an issue within the region and provide a solution. The cohort selected the issue of how to connect existing resources to those in need without unnecessarily duplicating services in the region. The group has tasked themselves with being ambassadors to the resources located in the region. Examples of existing resources include the United Way’s 211, Engage Toledo, and the Chamber’s TOL RAMP which is designed to access business resources in one location. This year’s participants have agreed to amplify these, and other resources in the community, to connect information with their own personal circles: creating a network of knowledge. This will help ensure that information is being connected with those who need it.

The Institute would not be possible without the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, its Leadership Fund PAC, the Ohio State University Extension, and Ohio State Sea Grant College Program. A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor Huntington National Bank, our Silver Sponsor Shumaker Advisors, and our Bronze Sponsor Toledo Refining Company.
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Please join the Chamber in celebrating our 2023 Institute graduates listed below:
Coleena Ali | City of Toledo
Bryan Autullo | Nooter Toledo
Mark Brazeau | Destination Toledo
Lexi Cantu | Danberry Relators
Lizabeth Chavez | Bowling Green State University
Rhonda Chillus | Toledo Lucas County Public Library
Danya Claes | L. Hollingworth School
Andy Cole | TARTA
Ingrid Crumby | City of Toledo
Gary Doran | TARTA
Silvia Fofrich | City of Toledo
Kayla Frasco |City of Toledo
Andy Heft | Area Office on Aging of NW Ohio
Alissa Hunt | Lourdes University
Matthew Kirian | O-I Glass, Inc.
Carlos Lopez | First Energy Corp.
Lydia Marentette | City of Toledo
Cotrina Mathis | Hollywood Casino Toledo
Jason McCoy | City of Toledo
Brad Menard | Junk King Toledo
Michael Miller | Kwik Parking
Carrie Morgan | Huntington National Bank
Martin Nichols | L. Hollingworth School
Nathan Pearson | Miller Diversified Realty
Martin Ramirez | Dad Books
Hunter Rudolph | Signature Associates
Rita Russell | Huntington National Bank
Tricia St. Meyers | City of Toledo 
David Stacklin | Penta Career Center
Matthew Tussing | Toledo Edison, A First Energy Co.
Nick Walby | Rudolph Libbe
Samuel Wilhelm | Metroparks Toledo
Alex Zernechel | University of Toledo
Alexandra Zmuda | City of Toledo
 
Registration for the 2024 Institute for Leadership & Advocacy will begin in the fall. Please direct any questions to Makenzie Kujawa at makenzie.kujawa@toledochamber.com or at 567.420.1225.