Akron welcomes new leaders and new generations of leaders

The Greater Akron area has been blessed with brilliant leaders over many decades: in higher education, business, health care, civic organizations, culture and more. In recent years, they have led some of the most dynamic initiatives in our area, enhancing our quality of life.
Increasingly, a new wave of leadership is coming to some of our most important institutions. It’s a healthy thing and a sign of our regional maturity that so many changes in leadership can occur and be taken in stride, without disruption.
Talent infusion
Our local research universities have outstanding new presidents. Beverly Warren came from Virginia Commonwealth University to be the 12th president of Kent State University. Scott L. Scarborough has become the 16th president of the University of Akron, from leadership at the University of Toledo and its Medical Center.
The Knight Foundation has Josh McManus as the new Akron program director. The founder of Little Things Lab, a problem-solving laboratory, and CreateHere, a talent retention and cultural change project in Chattanooga, Tennessee, McManus represents new, creative thinking. Mark Masuoka, the new executive director and CEO of the Akron Art Museum, came to us from contemporary arts centers in Omaha, Nebraska, Denver and Las Vegas. Ken Babby has devoted himself to a high-quality, community-engaged ballpark and revitalized team in the Akron RubberDucks. At Summa Health Systems, Dr. Thomas Malone, COO, has been named as the next president and CEO. Craig Kenkel is the dynamic new superintendent of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
What is also very gratifying and positive is the coming wave of new leadership among our young professionals, many of whom are advancing to strategic roles in their companies. Many of these emerging leaders are with small businesses of many kinds, a significant driver of growth and ideas in the Greater Akron region.
Sign of progress
Those of us who have been involved for so long in the transformation of our region can take heart in these changes. They signify the strength of our potential and our area’s reputation as a place where creative and innovative people can put their energies and skills to real and productive work. It’s a sign of our progress and our potential that we can recruit and develop such great new leaders. It’s also true that those who accomplish great things do so by standing on the shoulders of others.
Leaders who are loyal and engaged help create confidence and an environment of steadiness and strength. Investors, employers, employees and citizens want to know that there is long-term potential and a sustainable vision. Even though strategic outlooks will differ and will change over time, the basic stability of having a committed leadership is an outstanding asset. That this is spread across different industries and institutions is also valuable, leading to economic diversity and innovation.

As we welcome new leaders and new generations of leaders, we can be grateful for the thought and care that have gone into their arrival.