Akron, OH – The Greater Akron Chamber is excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 30 For the Future Awards. Since 2007, the Chamber has celebrated professionals aged 25-39 who demonstrate exceptional leadership, diversity, and dedication to our region.
These honorees are recognized for their early-career impact on Greater Akron through industry leadership, community involvement, and their forward-looking vision and optimism.
This year’s recipients will be honored on September 12, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Akron/Fairlawn. The event will feature a networking reception, dinner, and a chance to learn more about and celebrate these remarkable leaders. Event details are available here.
The 2024 30 For the Future award recipients are:
- Julie M. Caruso, The Cleveland Orchestra , Director, Institutional Giving
- James Eagan, University of Akron, Assistant Professor
- Gabe Forté, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, IT Program Manager
- Gwendolyn N Grimes, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Patient Financial Advocate
- Stephen Gross, Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs , Partner
- Megan Harvey, Main Street Wadsworth, Executive Director
- Katie Kelley, Akron Rubber Development Laboratory (ARDL), Communications Specialist
- Ashley Kline, Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center, Chief Program Officer
- Lloyd Mahachi, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Manager, Software Engineering
- Stephanie Marsh, City of Akron, Director of Communications
- Heather Morrow, Blue Shark Creatives, Co-Founder & Creative Director
- Sagarika Naik, Arcadis, Management Consultant
- Sierra Oden, LISW-S, Cuyahoga Falls City School District, Social Worker
- Dhara Patel Fitch, FirstEnergy, Analyst
- Austen Rau, Hubbell Power Systems, Senior Design Engineer
- Natalie Rothenbuecher, Roetzel & Andress, Attorney
- Steve Scavuzzo, GOJO Industries, Senior Legal Counsel
- Sara Shookman, Storyglow Studio, Founder
- Juanita Simpson, MRI Real Estate Software, Vice President, Talent Management
- Amanda S. Smith, Esq., Kastner Westman & Wilkins, LLC, Shareholder and DE&I Officer
- Benjamin D Stasik, City of Tallmadge Fire Department, Deputy Fire Chief
- Krista Steedly, Eide Bailly LLP, Senior Manager
- David Swirsky, Connection Consulting, Founder
- Candace Tell, Empowering Queens, Founder/Executive Director
- Tiffany Treviño Ramos, Bridgestone Americas, Inc., Senior Product Design Engineer
- Jasmina D. Waters, The Village is Us, Founder
- Swathi West, Summa Health, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Katherine White, Summit County Child Support Enforcement Agency, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
- Ross Widenor, Bridgestone Americas, Lead Strategic Project Manager – Sustainability Office
- Rachelle R. Yarbrough, Nestlé USA, Senior BI Data Analyst
“Each year, I am blown away by the talent in our region. Strong communities have impressive talent at all levels, and it is our responsibility to foster, grow and celebrate the next generation of leaders,” said Steve Millard, Greater Akron Chamber President and CEO. “As I reflect on the list of all the applicants, I am encouraged and excited about the future of our region and the passion these leaders have to make an impact. We are excited to honor the accomplishments of these honorees in September.”
Recipients are based on several criteria, including their professional accomplishments, leadership, and community service. An independent selection committee of the Greater Akron Chamber selected the 30 finalists from a competitive pool of over 125 leaders, nominated by members of the Greater Akron Chamber and regional profit and non-profit organizations.
For more information on the Greater Akron Chamber, visit greaterakronchamber.org.
###
The Greater Akron Chamber is a business membership organization serving Summit, Medina, and Portage counties. The Greater Akron Chamber drives economic growth and prosperity for the region by supporting the success of the business community and acting as a convener of stakeholders on key issues facing Greater Akron.