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SUZIE GRAHAM, PRESIDENT DOWNTOWN AKRON PARTNERSHIP Contact: sgraham@downtownakron.com 330-374-7676 Downtown Akron Vision and Redevelopment Plan 2022+ Suzie developed a passion for community building through her experience across many disciplines. Her love of civic service was embedded during her 18 years of work with the city of Akron. Over time, she has blended the collaborative principles and practices of theatre learned at Kent State University into her approach to community development. Suzie serves as President and CEO of Downtown Akron Partnership. She mobilizes positive partnerships and oversees the planning and implementation of programs and services to anticipate and address the needs of the neighborhood. Her work centers on the necessity of a thriving urban core and the importance of downtown as a key indicator of the health and success of the city and region. She works closely with government, corporate, education, non-profit, human services, and small business stakeholders to assist their efforts and benefit the holistic downtown experience. Suzie facilitates efforts to enhance and promote downtown as an economic driver, hub for arts and culture, partner in driving equity, champion of the city's identity, and place for all people.
KAREN HRDLICKA, DIRECTOR, THE CENTER FOR FAMILY PHILANTHROPY, AKRON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION / FELLOW ROTARIAN Contact: khrdlicka@AkronCF.org 330-436-5640 Maximizing the 4T’s of Philanthropy in Rotary and in Your Life Part of her job is to educate the community on how they can maximize their philanthropic dream through evidence based practices. Rotary has a special connection to this idea of exercising your 4 T’s based on Rotary’s’ 2 official mottos: “Service above Self” and “One Profits Most Who Serves Best”. This presentation will educate your membership on why it is good for health and the community to give back.
KITRAEL CHIN, PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR and FOUNDER, HEARTS FOR MUSIC, INC. Contact: (330) 298-5549 Hearts For Music, Inc, a non-profit 501(c)3 and is the world’s first special needs orchestra that attempts to unite all disabilities of all ages in creating and performing music. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada and a degree in Music Therapy from Shenandoah University in Virginia, USA. In addition to being a professional Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) with over 20 years of clinical experience, he has a specialty certificate in Hospice and Palliative Care Music Therapy from the New York Center for End-of-Life Care (HPMT). Over the years, Kitrael has been blessed with the joy and privilege of working with many kids and young adults displaying a wide range of disabilities ranging from mild to severe MRDD to cerebral palsy and Autism. In 2000, Kitrael started Musical Fingers LLC a music therapy and instruction company in Mantua OH, which to this present day serves many families throughout NE Ohio. Kitrael has been and continues to be the pianist and worship leader at Hilltop Christian Church in Mantua, Ohio since 2008. In his spare time, he is an avid snowboarder and is the proud professional keyboardist for First Snow, Northeast Ohio’s Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tribute Band.
DR. MICHAEL STASSER, PROFESSOR OF MUSIC HISTORY and LITERATURE, BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY Contact: mstrasse@bw.edu (440) 826-2107 Dr. Strasser has power point presentations on the Music of the Civil Rights Movement, Music of World War I and Music of World War II. He mixes musical selections with a history of the times. Very engaging and informative. Dr. Strasser earned his B.A. in music education from the University of West Florida, M.A. in musicology from Louisiana Stat, and his Ph.D. in musicology from the the University of Illinois. He regularly presents preconcert talks for the Cleveland Orchestra.
JESSICA BEAM and ABIGAIL ENICKE, CLEVELAND RESTORATION Contact Beam: at jbeam@clevelandrestoration.org or (216) 426-3107. Contact Enicke: at aenicke@clevelandrestoration.org or (216) 426-3103. Program aims to help older homes stay healthy. Heritage Home Program can help owners keep their older homes in tip-top shape. HHP is part of the Cleveland Restoration Society and is aimed at homes at least 50 years old. The program offers free technical advice on maintenance issues and improvement projects. An HHP adviser can be scheduled to visit the home or can offer advice over the phone. They can recommend contractors and can look over estimates and proposals to ensure their safety and efficiency. Advisers also can consult on colors, remodeling and preservation issues. Eligible projects include roofs, insulation, gutters, kitchen and bathroom remodels, painting, among others. HHP also can connect homeowners to local banks for low-cost loans to fix up those homes. In the past 29 years, HHP has offered 21,000 technical assists valued at $474 million and has connected homeowners to 1,925 loans valued at $77 million. The program is available to 40 communities in northeast Ohio, including Berea, Middleburg Heights, Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township and Strongsville. Cities must opt in to the program. Condos are eligible. For more information, go to www.clevelandrestoration.org.
DR. KAY STRONG, Ph.D., CHAIR OF ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT, BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY Contact: kstrong@bw.edu Phone: (440) 826-2033. Dr. Strong is an expert on international economics, macroeconomics, econometrics, contemporary social-economic issues and complexity and applications of futures research. She is a member of the American Economic Association and the Association of Professional Futurists. She is an adviser to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics and serves on the board for the Ohio Future Problem-Solving Program. She can speak on our local, national and international economic recovery from the pandemic and what economic and social issues are at work to hinder or facilitate the changes. She was recommended by the RC of Berea. Click here to view more about Dr. Strong
ANNE GRAFFICE, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, HALL OF FAME RESORT & ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY 2626 Fulton Dr. NW, Canton, OH 44718 To schedule, call 330-458-9176 In July 2020, Ms. Graffice was a key component of the transaction that made Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company public through a merger with a Special Purpose Acquisition Company. Previously, Ms. Graffice successfully served in a similar role at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which she joined in May 2016 as Vice President of Development & Strategic Adventures. She served as the Hall’s primary corporate and community relations contact, and oversaw diversity programs and policies; controlled development and engagement for the Hall of Fame Village powered by Johnson Controls; and developed programming for the Center for Excellence. What is the Hall of Fame Resort and Entertainment Company? The Hall of Fame Resort and Entertainment Company is a multi-dimensional Sports and Entertainment Company. They are comprised of three divisions. The first is their Themed, Experiential Assets which includes themed attractions, hospitality, and live entertainment. The second area is their Media company which is comprised of original content, High Profile Partnerships and Sponsorships. The third company, which has grown more quickly than anticipated because of COVID-19 is their Gaming company which is comprised of Fantasy Sports, e-Gaming and Sports Betting. The concept behind these growth areas is to make the Hall of Fame Resort and Entertainment Company a Destination Asset for Greater Northeast Ohio and beyond.
JUSTICE R. PATRICK DeWINE Ohio Supreme Court Justice To discuss topics and schedule, you can reach out to paul.taske@sc.ohio.gov Justice DeWine has spoken to several of our clubs and has been recommended as a presenter. began his six-year term on the Supreme Court of Ohio on Jan. 2, 2017, following his statewide election in November 2016. An excellent writer, Justice DeWine is known for the quality and thoroughness of his legal opinions. His opinions reflect his strong belief in judicial restraint and his respect for the constitutional roles of the other coequal branches of government. Justice DeWine has served at all levels of the Ohio judiciary. Prior to his election to the Supreme Court, Justice DeWine served for four years on the First District Court of Appeals, and prior to that, for four years on the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. Justice DeWine has a strong commitment to furthering the rule of law through education. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Law where he teaches Appellate Practice and Procedure. In addition, he has taught undergraduate courses at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio Government & Politics and American Courts. Click to view full bio
EVAN DELAHANTY, CEO, PEACEFUL FRUITS 101 E. TUSCARAWAS AVE., BARBERTON OH Tel 330.356.8515 *Our Shark Tank Connection:* Evan is President and owner of Peaceful Fruits, a local company in Barberton. While he was enlisted with the Peace Corp. in the South American nation of Suriname, he developed a desire to create fruit snack products that actually contained not only JUST FRUIT, but the same fruits the product is named for. He started his business in his garage and kitchen and eventually got his product into Whole Foods. Now he is in stores such as Kroger and others. He received to invitation to present of the Sharks on Shark Tank nearly two years ago. While he did not strike a deal at that time, the subsequent exposure exploded his national visibility and orders. He now has a factory employing nearly 2 dozen workers and is looking to vastly increase his orders to both retail stores and on line. Evan's story of success is a credit to him and the Barberton area... a true local business success.
REBECCA SILBER, ROTARY ANNUAL GIVING OFFICER for ZONES 30 and 31 rebecca.silber@rotary.org Tel 1.847.424.5274 Rebecca Silber serves as the Annual Giving Officer for Zones 30 and 31. She has over a decade of development experience and has worked as a fundraiser, volunteer manager and donor event planner for nonprofits large and small in both Chicago, Illinois and Gainesville, Florida where she attended The University of Florida. Rebecca cares deeply about connecting donors and volunteers to the causes they are most passionate about and feels a calling towards her fundraising work as a way to leave a positive impact on the world around her.
DR. TIM COLLINS, PRESIDENT, WALSH UNIVERSITY Click to Meet Dr. Collins 330-490-7090
PATRICK LEDWIDGE, Ph.D. pledwidg@bw.edu 440-826-3173 Click to meet Dr. Ledwidge Assistant Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at Baldwin Wallace University and Director of the Cognition, Brain & Language Lab. pledwidg@bw.edu 440-826-3173
TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL Find a Club near you to contact https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club
BILLY TAYLOR Click to meet Mr. Taylor 330-217-7074 His theme throughout the presentation was “people driven excellence.” Mr. Taylor is an American business executive, dynamic speaker, and leadership guru. He is the CEO and President of LinkedXL, a Business Operating Systems Architecting Firm. Mr. Taylor spent 30 years with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (GT), serving as Director of North America Manufacturing and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. As the Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion for Goodyear, Mr. Taylor led diversity and inclusion strategies for 64,000 employees across the 22 countries where Goodyear operates. Mr. Taylor has been called upon by universities, international conferences, global publications, and the U.S. Army to demonstrate how to drive and sustain effective results through embracing the culture and enabling employee ownership.
DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES Don't forget about people within our own District who would love to present as well (https://rotarydistrict6630.org/districtorganizationchart ) Larry Lohman, PDF, Foundation Chair/Shelterbox Chair; Rick Pollack, Peace Fellows; Cheryl Warren, ClubRunner and MyRotary; to name a few!!
THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION has speakers available for virtual appearances at Rotary Clubs. The FTC protects economic markets by investigating and prosecuting deceptive advertising and unfair methods of competition and by providing free resources for individuals and businesses. As part of its education mission, attorneys, investigators, and paralegals from the Commission’s Cleveland office routinely speak on topics such as Coronavirus scams, privacy, scams that target small businesses, and much more. Contact: Jon Kessler at 216-263-3436 or JKessler@ftc.gov. We’re also available for presentations to regional and state (or nationwide) Rotary meetings.

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