WARREN, Ohio – Leadership Mahoning Valley will formally introduce the 43 individuals selected to participate in the Class of 2026 at a Sept. 25 kickoff breakfast.

The breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. at The Grand Resort, 9519 E. Market St. The event is open to the public.  Advance registration is required. Individual reservations are $55 each and can be made online HERE or by calling 234 877 1520. 

Immediately following the breakfast event, the Class of 2026 will continue for a two-day opening retreat to begin the nine-month program. Through the immersive, interactive program, which includes a series of speakers, tours, hands-on activities and site visits, participants will gain knowledge of programs, services, businesses and institutions in the community.  

Program days are centered around specific topics such as history, heritage and culture of the Valley; government and public service; media and communications; health and human services; education; business, labor and economic development; housing and community development; justice and public safety; and quality of life.    

The program year will conclude in June 2026, with the Leadership Mahoning Valley annual meeting and graduation ceremony. 

The class also will participate in a DiSC Assessment designed to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and others. Participants will enhance their personal leadership development by increasing the skills necessary to raise self-awareness and improve teamwork, productivity and communication. 

“A total of 43 outstanding individuals have been selected to participate in the Class of 2026,” said JoAnn Stock, Leadership Mahoning Valley president. “Upon completion of the program, these individuals will join the nearly 1,400 Leadership Mahoning Valley alumni who have graduated from the program and have gone on to serve our community in a variety of leadership roles.” 

Members of the Class of 2026 are:

  • Ketuan Baldwin, solutions architect, Microsoft Corp.
  • Julianna Begalla, vice president, director of marketing, Farmers National Bank of Canfield.
  • Kimberly Bauchens, vice president, service lines, Bon Secours Mercy Health.
  • Varada Bhide, chief operating officer, YWCA Mahoning Valley.
  • Maria Bova, associate director of government affairs, Youngstown State University.
  • Traci Buttar, CPA, manager, Packer Thomas.
  • Amanda Cox, project engineer, Hynes Industries.
  • Jessica Bochy Deane, vice president of marketing, Aim Transportation Solutions.
  • Melanie DeCarmen, human resources manager, Vallourec Star LP.
  • Gina DeGenova, magistrate, Mahoning County Juvenile Court.
  • Rachael Dobson, director, The Rich Center for Autism at Youngstown State University.
  • Kevin Flinn, commissioner of building and grounds, city of Youngstown.
  • Amanda Fluck, marketing director, Window World Youngstown.
  • Adam Gargano, branch manager, First National Bank.
  • Karrington Griffin, certification specialist, Youngstown Business Incubator.
  • Alex Hertzer, executive director, Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition.
  • Tanay Hill, business resource adviser, Valley Economic Development Partners.
  • Jim Houck, president, Houck Agency.
  • Robert Kearns, deputy superintendent, Youngstown City Schools.
  • Jeremy Kerola, owner/vice president, Uniserv LLC.
  • Monica Kirkland, program service director, Mahoning County Juvenile Court.
  • Courtney Lockshaw, financial resource development director, Youngstown Area Jewish Federation.
  • Ryan MacLennan, director of operations and outreach, Trumbull County Historical Society.
  • Bridget Madden, customer service manager, Berk Enterprises.
  • Nicole Madison, clinical nurse manager, Akron Children’s Hospital.
  • Casey Makosky, HR generalist, Metalico Youngstown.
  • Heather McCowin, chief nursing officer, Mercy Health.
  • Jason Neal, director of site strategies, Lake to River Economic Development.
  • John Orsini, partner/owner, BSHM Architects.
  • Nikunj Patel, chief operating officer, Cadence Care Network.
  • Katie Petridis, program coordinator, Potential Development.
  • Jacqueline Podolsky, senior manager, tax, Cohen & Co.
  • Luke Politsky, director of development, Youngstown Business Incubator.
  • Brian Rella, treasurer, Mahoning County Career & Technical Center.
  • Elizabeth Repasky, chief human resource officer, Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County.
  • Angela Sanders, customer success manager, Philips Healthcare.
  • Michelle Sawicki, business engagement and training coordinator, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates.
  • Michelle Schmader, senior communications coordinator, National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining/America Makes.
  • David Sova, operations manager, Vallourec Star.
  • Jill Stefanucci-Uberti, vice president of medical affairs, Bon Secours Mercy Health.
  • Zachary Teter, business project manager, MS Consultants Inc.
  • Patricia Summers, founder, president and CEO, Youngstown Blue Coats.
  • Danielle Yarina, property manager, Trumbull Metropolitan Housing Authority.

Celebrating 41 years as the area’s premier community leadership development program, Leadership Mahoning Valley is an independent 501(c)3 organization, governed by a volunteer board of directors made up of alumni from the program. The program began as Leadership Youngstown in 1984. Ten years later, Leadership Mahoning Valley combined the successful Leadership Youngstown and Leadership Warren programs, which were established by a group of interested, concerned and committed community citizens in 1984 and 1988, respectively.