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  • Paul Abbey, Founder of Rooted In Trees

    Paul Abbey, Founder of Rooted In Trees
    2025/07/03
    Paul Abbey is the founder of Rooted in Trees, a non-profit organization established in 2020 which works to restore and preserve the native tree canopy in Northern Ohio. Under his leadership, the organization focuses on community engagement and education, and undertakes major tree planting initiatives to combat canopy loss and enhance environmental health.

    Prior to founding Rooted in Trees, Paul served as the interim CEO/President of Cleveland’s Holden Forests and Gardens, which includes the famed Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden.

    Raised in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, Paul has always been an avid nature and wildlife lover. He graduated from The College of Wooster with a degree in Political Science and later earned an MBA from Baldwin-Wallace. His career spans investment banking and wealth management, culminating in his role as the founding partner of Fairport Asset Management (now HighTower Advisors LLC).

    Today, Paul is also actively engaged in various community organizations, serving on the boards of The Viles Foundation, Highland Park Golf Foundation and The Cold Creek Foundation. He continues to serve as an active trustee (emeritus) for both The College of Wooster and The Holden Arboretum. Paul is married to Constance Norweb and together they have three daughters and are proud grandparents of five.
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    11 分
  • Patty Starr, CEO Health Action Council

    Patty Starr, CEO Health Action Council
    2025/06/03
    Patty Starr is president and CEO of Health Action Council and is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the organization--build stronger, healthier communities where business can thrive.

    Since joining the Health Action Council staff in 2013, she has transformed the organization yielding broad national expansion and seven consecutive years of growth.

    Patty is a member of the Advisory Board at the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Board of Directors for Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO). She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Better Health Partnership, Ohio Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative and Health Action Council before becoming executive director in 2013.

    In 2022, she was named a Woman of Influence by Cleveland Business Journal, and In 2018, she was named among Notable Women in Healthcare by Crain’s Cleveland Business.

    Prior to Health Action Council, she was the senior director of health insurance and benefits at the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) and president and founder of The Ark Individual Insurance Brokerage.
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    6 分
  • Katie Payne, CEO Lifebanc

    Katie Payne, CEO Lifebanc
    2025/06/03
    Katie Payne is the Chief Executive Officer of Lifebanc, Northeast Ohio’s only nonprofit organ and tissue recovery organization. A registered nurse and healthcare leader with nearly two decades of experience in transplant and donation services, Katie brings deep clinical expertise and a personal passion for saving lives through donation.

    Her journey into this work is rooted in personal loss—her brother Billy became a donor after a tragic accident, an experience that profoundly shaped her sense of vocation. Prior to joining Lifebanc, Katie served as Executive Director at LifeLink of Georgia, where she led operations across clinical services, hospital development, donor family support, and public education, helping increase donation volumes by 18% and organs transplanted by 36%.

    Katie holds a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Georgia State University. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation.

    With a leadership style grounded in empathy, data, and advocacy, Katie is committed to honoring every donor, supporting families, and bridging the gap between need and access in organ and tissue donation.
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    12 分
  • William Wappler, CEO Surgere

    William Wappler, CEO Surgere
    2025/05/28
    William Wappler is a visionary in technology, innovation, and AI. William’s focus is on managing the rapid growth of Surgere, while supporting a strong organizational culture and exemplifying our core values. He has over 20 years of experience in directing and executing technology strategy and financial growth for global Fortune 500 companies.

    Previously, as President of a leading software company in California, where he led the business in automating production control. William earned a combined degree from the University of Illinois and Illinois State and holds an MBA from Northwestern University.
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    21 分
  • Grace Gallucci, CEO Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency

    Grace Gallucci, CEO Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency
    2025/05/28
    Grace Gallucci is the Executive Director for the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for greater Cleveland, responsible for transportation and environmental planning, as well as resource allocation in the five county region. She has held this post since 2012.
    Ms. Gallucci has more than 30 years of finance and planning experience in the field of transportation. Her prior posts include working for the Chicago Regional Transportation Authority where she held the titles of Deputy Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, responsible for the Finance and Performance Management functions, as well as those of the department of Research, Analysis and Policy Development. She also held the positions of Director, Office of Management & Budget and Director of Finance for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. She started her career in transportation as an analyst for the Office of Transportation, Broward County, Florida, working on both highways and mass transit issues.
    Ms. Gallucci has been an adjunct professor at Cleveland State University, Kent State University, the University of Illinois at Chicago and Northwestern University, teaching courses in public finance, economics, public policy and transportation management. Ms. Gallucci holds a Master of Science in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University, and both a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Dayton.
    Ms. Gallucci has been the chair of the Northeast Ohio Sustainability Communities Consortium (Vibrant NEO2040) since 2013, receiving the Daniel Burnham Award for best comprehensive plan from the American Planning Association, its highest honor, in 2015.
    She is active in various professional organizations including the National Association of Regional Councils. She has served on research panels for the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies of Science and has been appointed by former US Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to serve on its Transportation Review Advisory Committee for Safety. She has received many honors including being named one of Crain’s Business “40 under 40”, and receiving the distinguished alumni award from Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs.
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    11 分
  • Al DiFranco, CEO Junior Achievement

    Al DiFranco, CEO Junior Achievement
    2025/05/28
    Al DiFranco proudly serves as President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland. Prior to becoming President of JAGC in July 2022, Al was the organization’s Vice President for Development and Programs for four years.

    Under Al’s leadership, JA of Greater Cleveland has significantly increased its financial resources, expanded its student reach, and recently began a multi-million campaign to create the Junior Achievement Experiential Learning Center in Downtown Cleveland. In 2025, JA of Greater Cleveland will also host JA’s National Leadership Conference for the first time.
    Al previously served as Director of the MBA Program at Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management and President and CEO of the Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce.

    Al received his Master’s in Higher Education Leadership from Capella University, Certificate in Leadership from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Baldwin-Wallace College (now Baldwin Wallace University).
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    13 分
  • A conversation with the leadership team at Brunswick Companies

    A conversation with the leadership team at Brunswick Companies
    2025/05/28
    Todd Stein CEO of Brunswick Companies proudly announces the appointment of Michelle Hirsch and Rachel Weinberg as Co-Presidents marking a pivotal moment in the company's evolution as a third-generation family-owned, independent insurance and risk management firm providing commercial, professional, personal insurance, and surety bonds.

    This evolution reflects Brunswick's unwavering commitment to remaining independent while positioning the firm as an employer of choice that pairs high-touch, personalized service with innovative technology solutions.

    In their new roles, Michelle and Rachel will leverage their complementary strengths through a clear division of responsibilities. Both leaders have risen through Brunswick's ranks to shape key areas of the business. Michelle will drive strategic vision and growth initiatives for the company, building upon her success in transforming Brunswick Private Client. Rachel will focus on operational excellence and infrastructure, drawing from her extensive risk management and commercial insurance expertise to enhance Brunswick's service delivery and team development.

    "As a father and business leader, I'm incredibly proud to see Michelle and Rachel step into these roles," said Todd Stein, who will continue to serve as CEO. "They've earned this opportunity through decades of dedication to our clients and team. Their partnership ensures Brunswick will continue to thrive while staying true to our family values and independent spirit."

    Leadership Experience Michelle brings over 20 years of experience at Brunswick Companies, having founded Brunswick Private Client, a division dedicated to managing risk for high-net-worth individuals and family offices. Michelle holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management and the Certified Advisor in Personal Insurance (CAPI) designation from The Wharton School of Business and Chubb Insurance.

    Rachel has 19 years of insurance expertise, specializing in commercial risk management since graduating from the University of Hartford with a degree in Risk Management. She has been instrumental in turning Brunswick's commercial division into a powerhouse serving diverse industries, including real estate and manufacturing.

    Both Michelle and Rachel are sought-after speakers at national insurance industry events and serve on multiple non-profit boards, demonstrating their commitment to both professional excellence and community involvement.

    Under their joint leadership, Brunswick Companies stands ready to transform the insurance experience while staying true to its founding purpose -- protecting what matters most to its clients. "Having worked alongside Michelle and Rachel for many years, I've had the privilege of watching them develop into the leaders they are today," said Lew Patrick, Chief Financial Officer. "Their complementary abilities and shared commitment to Brunswick's success give me complete confidence in the road ahead."

    Vision for Innovation and Growth     The sisters step into their leadership roles with complementary strengths and a shared vision. "In an industry that often feels impersonal, showing the love to our clients is what sets Brunswick apart," said Michelle. "We're committed to combining cutting-edge operations with the personal touch and genuine relationships that have always made Brunswick special." "We're investing in our people and technology to create an even stronger future," said Rachel. "By streamlining our operations, we're empowering our team to focus on what they do best — delivering the exceptional service experiences that define Brunswick."

    Brunswick Companies Founded in 1972, Brunswick Companies is a third-generation, family-owned independent insurance agency serving clients nationwide. With a commitment to "Insuring the world you love and everything in it," Brunswick delivers personalized protection through its private client, commercial, surety bonds, and professional liability divisions, complemented by comprehensive risk management services. The Brunswick team combines deep expertise with genuine care, building lasting relationships while safeguarding what matters most to clients. To learn more, visit www.brunswickcompanies.com.
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    14 分
  • Lisa Giganti, CEO Lumina

    Lisa Giganti, CEO Lumina
    2025/05/28
    Lisa Giganti Chief Executive Officer at Lumina Imaging and Diagnostics. Lisa Giganti is a dynamic leader with extensive experience in strategic planning, innovation, and financial management. As the Chief Executive Officer of Lumina Imaging and Diagnostics, Lisa is at the forefront of transforming and disrupting the medical imaging landscape. Her work focuses on developing strategic partnerships and shared risk/reward ventures to enhance access to quality medical imaging while upholding the highest standards of care and exceptional patient experience. Prior to Lumina, Lisa was a Managing Principal in Strategy and Innovations at The MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio where she was responsible for identifying, prioritizing, developing, and executing strategic initiatives in alignment with the organization’s mission. Her approach included data-driven analyses and process assessments to improve and expand medical services such as Bariatric Surgery, Radiology, and Breast Health.

    Lisa’s career began in finance spanning a variety of disciplines in the rental car and hospitality industries for both large corporations and start-ups. She then pivoted to banking for 10 years in progressively advanced roles as a Business Performance Improvement Consultant, Retail Banking Controller and Corporate Banking CFO at National City Corporation / PNC Bank. Ultimately, Lisa found her calling in healthcare, aligning her passion for health and wellness with her strong business acumen. She served as a Senior Project Manager in Strategic Financial Planning at Cleveland Clinic, honing her skills in financial strategy and large-scale project management. Lisa earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Finance and Economics from John Carroll University and later obtained her Master of Business Administration from Cleveland State University, concentrating in Finance and Management. Lisa’s diverse background and strategic mindset have established her as an effective leader able to drive growth and innovation in the healthcare, financial services, and hospitality sectors.
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    10 分