CANFIELD, Ohio – Suzanne Barbati, Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio Governing Board member, has been selected for the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Ohio Educational Service Center Association.
The award will be presented in November during OESCA’s annual recognition breakfast in conjunction with the Ohio School Boards Association Capital Conference.
Each year, OESCA honors individuals and organizations who demonstrate exceptional service, leadership and achievement in support of Ohio’s schools.
The Outstanding Leadership Award recognizes current educational service center governing board members whose leadership has provided significant benefits to local school districts within their service region.
“Our board is fortunate to include leaders like Suzanne Barbati who continuously raise the bar for service and innovation,” Jeffery Good, ESCEO board president, said in a news release. “Her work, alongside past honorees Richard Scarsella and Marie Dockry, reflects the shared commitment our board has to advancing education across the Mahoning Valley.”
As a governing board member, Barbati brings decades of experience in education, nonprofit leadership and community development that have strengthened partnerships and expanded opportunities for students across Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, the release states.
“Suzanne’s leadership and dedication have had a lasting impact on our schools and communities,” said Traci Hostetler, ESCEO superintendent. “Her work demonstrates how strong partnerships and creative thinking can open new doors for students and educators alike.”
A graduate of Youngstown State University with a degree in conflict studies and education, Barbati was the founding executive director of Oh Wow! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology. She transformed a small local museum into a regional hub for STEM education and tourism. Her leadership expanded outreach and forged partnerships that brought hands-on STEM experiences to thousands of students. During the Covid pandemic, she launched STEM SAKs – take-home science kits that kept learning active when schools were closed.
Beyond her work in education, Barbati is a consultant and community leader. She has guided nonprofits in fundraising and organizational growth, served as a conflict management consultant for the Ohio Department of Education and remains active in civic groups, including the League of Women Voters of Greater Youngstown, American Association of University Women and the Gardening Club of Youngstown.