HOWLAND, Ohio – A crowd of over 200 guests welcomed Leadership Mahoning Valley’s Class of 2027 at a kickoff breakfast Thursday at The Grand Resort. 

Selected from a record number of applicants, the Class of 2027 represents a diverse group of emerging and established leaders from businesses, nonprofits, government, education, healthcare and other sectors throughout the Mahoning Valley.

“We are thrilled to welcome this outstanding group of leaders to Leadership Mahoning Valley,” said JoAnn Stock, president. “The strength of LMV has always been the people who come together through this experience. This class brings tremendous talent, experience and perspective, and I am excited to see the connections they will build and the impact they will make throughout the region.”

The breakfast provided an opportunity for family members, friends, colleagues, business and community leaders and Leadership Mahoning Valley alumni to come together to celebrate the newest class and recognize their commitment to leadership and service in the Valley. 

“These 44 individuals have made a commitment to invest in themselves, their leadership and our region,” Stock said.

The members of the Class of 2027 are:

  • James Augustine, senior manager, Cohen & Co.
  • Dawnielle Ballard Crosby, program director, Molina Health Care.
  • Sherri Bercheni, first vice president of retail and deposits, operations and remote delivery experience, 7 17 Credit Union.
  • Evan Bollinger, technical service manager/project engineer, MS Consultants.
  • Kieran Davis, business adviser, YBI.
  • Adam DiCristofaro, director of quality assurance and compliance, Trumbull County Children Services.
  • Valerie Dill, owner, business manager, All Star Auto Group LLC.
  • Haley Donaldson, clinical supervisor, Alta Care Group.
  • Shellie Duchek, HR director, Potential Development.
  • Samantha Ensminger, marketing manager, Trumbull County Tourism Bureau.
  • Chris Frazzini, vice president, Lewis Construction.
  • Kimberly Garrett, executive director and fiscal officer, Warren-Trumbull County Public Library.
  • Ryan Glinn, co-founder, managing partner, Tolmiros Financial Designs.
  • Karen Guerrieri, clinical supervisor, Mahoning County Juvenile Court.
  • Jeremy Gurski, plant manager, Hynes Industries.
  • Brent Kelley, business agent, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 396.
  • Aubrey Kudler, senior applications engineer, Dearing Compressor.
  • Dr. Thomas Macabobby, associate chief academic officer, Mercy Health, Youngstown and Lorain.
  • Megan Malara, innovation hub director, National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (America Makes).
  • Nicole Mastrian Hovis, senior human resources generalist, Vallourec Star LP.
  • Tia May, classroom administrator, Youngstown State University Rich Center for Autism.
  • Ryan McNaughton, director, marketing and development, Cadence Care Network.
  • Katie Merrill, coordinator, Cliffe College of Creative Arts Community Engagement and Events, Youngstown State University. 
  • Kristina Miller, director, HR strategic partner, St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital and St. Joseph Warren Hospital, Bon Secours Mercy Health.
  • Michael Moliterno, chief operating officer, The Business Journal.
  • Shelley Murray, chief executive officer, Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries Inc.
  • Chelsey Palmer, director, Eastern Ohio Area Health Education Center.
  • Kyowa Pegues, regional community development officer, WesBanco Bank.
  • Erin Phemester, chief experience officer, Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County.
  • Nicole Ramson, senior manager, Schroedel, Scullin & Bestic LLC.
  • Sean Robinson, chief of probation, Youngstown Municipal Court.
  • Victoria Rusu, director of engagement and investor relations, Lake to River Economic Development.
  • Anthony Scrocco, senior financial adviser, HBKS Wealth Advisors.
  • Jim Smith, regional EHS manager, Metalico Youngstown Inc.
  • Linette Stratford, magistrate, Mahoning County Juvenile Court.
  • Amanda (Mandy) Thiry, vice president – relationship manager, PNC Bank.
  • Cassandra Valentini, chief of community development and public relations, Direction Home of Eastern Ohio.
  • Belinda Weiss, museum director, National McKinley Birthplace Memorial Museum.
  • Krystal Whetzel, human resource business partner, Cooper Machinery Services (Altronic).
  • Jordyn White, office and marketing manager, Advanced Technology Partners.
  • Eboni Williams, director of culture and climate, Youngstown City School District.
  • Denise Wolf, executive director, Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, Youngstown Area Jewish Federation.
  • Kristin Woods, branch manager II, Farmers National Bank.
  • Robyn Young, senior clinical nurse manager, NICU and Special Care Nursery, Akron Children’s Hospital.

The Leadership Mahoning Valley program is designed to identify, educate and motivate community leaders to address the challenges facing the Valley. Throughout the nine-month program, class members will explore the region’s history and heritage, government and justice, health and human services, quality of life, business and economic development, housing and community development, education and nonprofit leadership.

In addition to learning from community leaders and experts, participants develop their own leadership skills, build meaningful relationships with fellow class members and gain a deeper understanding of the issues and opportunities shaping the Valley. 

Immediately following the kickoff breakfast, the members of the Class of 2027 continued on for a two-day opening retreat where they will get to know one another and begin to develop the relationships that will be strengthened over the coming nine months.

“We believe leadership development is about more than gaining knowledge – it’s about building relationships, expanding perspectives and inspiring people to become more engaged in their communities,” Stock said. “We look forward to watching the Class of 2027 grow together over the next nine months.”