
EPIC: When did you first attend the EPIC Toledo Summit?
Melissa Freeman (MF): 2012 - This will be my 5th Summit and I could not be more excited.
EPIC: What was the biggest take away from that event?
MF: My biggest take away from my first Summit was no matter your age you can make anything happen and be successful in your career with the resources this city/region offers. You are in charge of your future and if you want to get something done or further your career you have all you need right here in Toledo. I remember leaving the Summit feeling so excited that Toledo had a group that was so willing to help me grow in my career and as a citizen of Toledo. I immediately dug right in to EPIC and got really involved. I also learned that the support and involvement of Toledo’s senior leaders is not something you will find in any other city.
MF: EPIC Toledo has certainly helped me grow in my career because it challenged me to be more involved in the community and given me the resources/tools to excel in my career through attending the Summit and the many other events EPIC Toledo offers throughout the year. EPIC Toledo has given me the confidence to grow as a young professional in this community.
EPIC: What has your involvement been with EPIC since then?
MF: I have been on the EPIC Advisory Council for 5 years. I served as Chairman in 2015 and this is my last year on the advisory council serving as Past – Chair. I can guarantee just because I won’t be serving on the EPIC Advisory Council anymore doesn’t mean I won’t be involved. I am dedicated to promoting EPIC Toledo and believe it is one of the best ways to get involved and connected as a young professional in the Toledo region.
EPIC: What is your advice to young professionals that will be attending the 2016 EPIC Toledo Leadership Summit?
MF: EPIC Toledo is providing you with an amazing opportunity and you will get out of it what you put into it. This is going to be the best Summit yet and you will not want to miss it. I love that I have said that for the last three years and they just keep getting better and better. This year will be a lot different than years past and I am so excited to experience the whole day.
There is so much work that goes into planning something like this and I just want to thank John Pezzino and his committee for all of their hard work. - Melissa Freeman