Ed Ewers is the Superintendent of Penta Career Center, a career-technical education institution serving more than 2,700 high school students and thousands of adult learners across five counties in Northwest Ohio. A lifelong educator and native of the region, Ed has spent over 25 years advancing student-centered, workforce-aligned education that connects learning to real-world opportunities.

Ed began his career as a social studies teacher and coach with Montpelier Exempted Village Schools. He later served as principal of Montpelier High School for more than a decade, leading efforts to strengthen academic rigor, expand student support and deepen community partnerships. In 2011, he became Superintendent of Edon Northwest Local Schools, where he continued to prioritize personalized learning and career readiness.

In 2015, Ed joined Penta Career Center as its first Assistant Superintendent, a role created to accelerate the school’s strategic growth and expand partnerships with K-12 districts, higher education institutions, and regional employers. He was appointed Superintendent in 2020.

Ed earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Findlay and a Master’s in Educational Administration from Bowling Green State University. He is an active member of the Ohio Association of Career and Technical Superintendents and other statewide workforce and education coalitions.

Dr. Tom Brady and Betsy Brady are entrepreneurs, philanthropists and community leaders whose work has influenced business, education and the arts across northwest Ohio. As co-founders of Plastic Technologies, Inc. (PTI), they built a global leader in plastics packaging, while also dedicating decades of service to higher education and cultural institutions.

Tom earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from Dartmouth College and a Ph.D. in Plastics Engineering from the University of Michigan. In 1985, he founded PTI, which became internationally recognized for innovation in sustainable packaging and collaboration with global consumer brands. His career later included service as Interim Dean of the College of Education at the University of Toledo, where he applied his entrepreneurial expertise to advancing academic programs.

Betsy, a graduate of Smith College with a degree in English, guided PTI’s growth for more than 35 years as Vice President of Finance, Administration, Human Resources, and Corporate Affairs. She was responsible for the company’s organizational strength and culture, ensuring PTI’s success as both a business and an employer. In addition to her corporate leadership, Betsy has been a prominent civic leader, serving in key roles for organizations across the region. Most notably, she chaired the Board of Directors for the Toledo Museum of Art, championing the museum’s accessibility and community impact.

Together, Tom and Betsy have extended their leadership into philanthropy and education, with a focus on preparing the next generation of professionals. Their most recent initiative, the Brady Educator and Social Services Academy with Toledo Public Schools, will create pathways for students pursuing careers in teaching and social services. This reflects their shared belief in education as the foundation for community and economic growth.

The Bradys’ legacy is defined by innovation in business, leadership in education, and dedication to cultural and civic institutions. Their partnership has created a lasting impact across industries and communities, ensuring that future generations have opportunities to learn, lead and succeed.

Brian Treece is the president & CEO of the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation. In this role, he provides leadership and direction to fulfill and advance the Foundation's mission. He is responsible for leading the Foundation in its achievement of its operational and strategic goals, including the success of the Foundation’s fund and donor development, fiscal management, grants and program operations, board relations, human capital management, community leadership and administrative matters.

Before this role, Brian served as program director for Community and Organizational Development and Evaluation at The Community Foundation. Before coming to the Foundation, he was the assistant dean of students at the University of Findlay for many years.

Brian has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and a doctorate in organizational leadership. Brian has been recognized for his achievements locally and regionally and has served on a variety of nonprofit boards in the community.

Jami Williamson, M.S., CSCS, TSAC-F is a professor and program facilitator of Exercise Science at Owens Community College, where she brings more than 30 years of experience in health, fitness and education to the classroom. A passionate educator and mentor, Jami was honored with the 2025 Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition from the American Association of Community Colleges, a national award that celebrates faculty who consistently go above and beyond for their students.

Jami holds a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from Eastern Michigan University, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toledo, and completed undergraduate coursework in nursing at Ohio State University. She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and a Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

At Owens, Jami teaches a wide range of courses, including Introduction to Exercise Science, Strength and Conditioning, Exercise Physiology and Personal Wellness. She is also a mentor in the Honors Program and actively contributes to curriculum development, course scheduling and advisory board leadership. Prior to joining Owens full-time, she taught at Monroe County Community College and worked as an exercise physiologist, personal trainer and strength coach in both clinical and athletic settings.

Jami believes in empowering students through education, emphasizing the importance of understanding how the body adapts to exercise, tailoring programs to individual needs and developing effective communication skills. She is passionate about preparing the next generation of health and wellness professionals to meet the evolving needs of the industry—and helping every student discover what’s possible for their future.

Dr. Karen A. Stout has served as president and CEO of Achieving the Dream since 2015. Achieving the Dream is a network of over 300 community colleges working to become profoundly accessible hubs of learning, credentialing and economic mobility that eliminate inequities in educational and workforce outcomes.

Dr. Stout has received national recognition for her achievements and accomplishments in higher education innovation and leadership. In 2022, she was awarded the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Leadership Award and entered the organization’s Hall of Fame. She was named the American Association for Women in Community College’s Woman of the Year in 2017, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education’s Leading Women in 2018, one of Washington Monthly’s 16 most innovative higher education leaders in 2016, to Washingtonian’s 500 most influential people list in 2023, and one of Ed Tech’s 30 higher education IT influencers to follow in 2023. She is the recipient of the Robert Zemsky Medal for Innovation in Higher Education, among many recognitions. Dr. Stout has also earned honorary degrees from Miami Dade College and Montgomery County Community College. In 2023 she was recognized by the Harford County Historical Society as one of 50 most Notable Athletes in the 250-year history of the county.

Dr. Stout currently serves as chair of the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research Advisory Board at North Carolina State University, as co-chair of the University of Maryland Global Campus Doctorate of Management in Community College Policy and Administration Advisory Board, and is a member of the Common App Board of Directors, College Promise National Advisory Board and the Community College Research Center Advisory Board. In 2022, Dr. Stout was nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the Senate to serve a six-year term as a member of the National Council on the Humanities.

Prior to serving as president and CEO at Achieving the Dream, Dr. Stout was president of Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) (PA) from 2001 to 2015, where she led the college through a transformation process to improve student success. Prior to her presidency at Montgomery, Dr. Stout held leadership positions at Camden County College from 1994 to 2001, including vice president/campus executive officer. She started her community college career at her hometown community college, Harford Community College, in the admissions office. Dr. Stout taught for 15 years as an adjunct faculty member at Harford and Camden in marketing and management and later at Montgomery as part of the college’s honors colloquium.

She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Delaware, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Baltimore and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Delaware. In recognition of her public service contributions, in 2014, the University of Delaware awarded her the prestigious President’s Leadership award.

Kristi Clouse is the senior managing director of Talent at JobsOhio, where she leads the organization's efforts to develop and implement innovative talent strategies that support business growth and workforce development across the state. In this role, she oversees JobsOhio’s Talent Acquisition Services (TAS) program, a unique incentive offering designed to help companies attract, hire and train skilled workers in Ohio’s key industries.

With a career spanning over two decades in economic and workforce development, Kristi has been instrumental in shaping Ohio’s economic landscape. She has been with JobsOhio since its inception in 2011, previously serving as executive director of Operations and director of Project Management. Before joining JobsOhio, she held various positions, including assistant director for the Ohio Department of Development’s Strategic Business Investment Division and vice president of the Allen Economic Development Group in Lima/Allen County, Ohio.​

Kristi is a graduate of Bluffton University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in communication and business. She also completed the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and Ohio’s Basic Economic Development Course. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with accolades such as the Lima Young Professional’s “2007 Emerging Young Professional of the Year” award and the 2008 West Central Ohio Business Journal’s “20 Under 40” business award.​

Kristi’s leadership and dedication continue to drive JobsOhio’s mission to foster economic growth and talent development, making Ohio a competitive destination for businesses and a thriving place for its workforce.

Wendy Gramza is the President and CEO of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. She assumed this role on July 1, 2014, after serving as Executive Vice President for 11 years. During her over 25 years as a Chamber professional, she has also served as vice president of Business Development Services and held several other positions within the organization.

She is a graduate of the University of Toledo, holding a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing. Wendy is also a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management.

Wendy is a participant in the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s Civic Leadership Program and a member of the Toledo Chapter of Rotary International. She is a board member of Junior Achievement as well as a board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Toledo and the Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter. She is also a member of the Northwest Ohio Business Advisory Council.

Wendy received the prestigious 20 Under 40 Award in 2005, which recognizes the professional accomplishments of people in northwest Ohio under the age of 40.

She holds the designation of Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, and has been appointed to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, an elite group of chamber chief executives that represents the perspectives and needs of chambers and their members to the U.S. Chamber.

Dave Robinson is the founder and principal of The Montrose Group, LLC, a national economic development and public affairs consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio. With more than 30 years of experience at the intersection of government, business and public policy, Dave is a recognized leader in economic development strategy, corporate site location and advocacy.

Dave has guided Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized firms and local governments through complex development projects, helping clients secure millions of dollars in incentives and successfully expand or relocate across multiple states. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping strategic economic development plans that drive growth and resilience in both rural and urban communities.

Before launching The Montrose Group, Dave served in several high-impact roles, including as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, Press Secretary for the Mayor of Columbus and general counsel for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. These experiences gave him unique insight into the legislative, regulatory, and political processes that influence economic growth.

Dave is also an educator and author. He has written two books on economic development and regularly speaks at national conferences on public policy and business strategy. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at both Ohio State University and Bowling Green State University.

He holds a law degree from Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and completed advanced management training at the Fisher College of Business. He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Bowling Green State University.

Through The Montrose Group, Dave continues to shape the future of communities and companies alike, building bridges between private-sector innovation and public-sector opportunity.