Stephanie Werren
Vice President & Director
Leadership Stark County

Stephanie Werren has been a key member of the Leadership Stark County team since 2005, where she currently serves as the Vice President of Development and Leadership Programs. With over 15 years of experience in the department, she has held several roles, including Development Director and Assistant Director, before being promoted to Director in 2015.

Alongside her leadership duties, Stephanie is a certified Gallup Strengths Coach and conducts training and facilitation for individuals and groups on Strengths Finder. She is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations discover and leverage their unique strengths. Her engaging coaching style has helped countless clients increase engagement, build stronger relationships, and enhance their overall performance.  She has worked with diverse clients, from Fortune 500 companies to solopreneurs and frequently speaks on strengths-based leadership and employee engagement. 

Stephanie holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science/International Studies from Miami University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Malone College. She was named the Malone University Graduate School Alumna of the Year in 2009 and is a ystark! Twenty under 40! recipient. She is actively involved in the community and currently serves on North Canton City Council as vice-chair, the Stark Housing Network Advisory Board, and a NEOHIO Western Reserve Board member. 

She and her husband, Judge Curt Werren, reside in Canton and are exceptionally proud of their 24-year-old triplets. Grace is serving as a logistics officer in the Marines, Hannah is a consultant for Mercer in Los Angeles, and Jack is a business analyst working with Kalypso, a division of Rockwell International.

Kristina Belliveau
Assistant Director
Leadership Stark County

In October the Leadership Stark County team welcomed Kristina Belliveau as their new Assistant Director. In this role, Kristina will be assisting with programming and operations. Kristina was born and raised in Stark County and was previously the Finance Director at the Canton Museum of Art. In addition to 20+ years of accounting and finance experience, Kristina brings an unbeatable enthusiasm for Stark County to our team.

Kristina is a graduate of Walsh University, a proud member of the 33rd Leadership Stark County Signature Class and a 2021 Twenty Under 40! award recipient. In Kristina’s free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exploring art galleries, and foodie adventures.

Micheal Gallina
Vice President of Organizational Development and Community Engagement
AultCare

Mike is currently the Vice President of Organizational Development and Community Engagement for the AultCare Health Plans.  Prior to joining AultCare, Mr. Gallina’s career spanned thirty (30) years in the field of education.  Twenty-four (24) of those years were spent as a school administrator, with the final nineteen (19) years in the role of superintendent in the Minerva Local and North Canton City Schools, respectively.

Mike is a 1978 graduate of Minerva High School, where he excelled in the classroom and in athletics.  He was the Valedictorian of his senior class and was the captain of the football, basketball, and baseball teams during his senior year.  Mike was an all-league selection in football and baseball.

Mr. Gallina then attended the University of Mount Union, majoring in Elementary Education, with a concentration in Learning Disabilities.  Mike was a four-year baseball letter-winner at Mount Union and was a tri-captain of the team during his senior year.  He was also named the Outstanding Senior in Elementary Education in 1982.

In 2009, Mr. Gallina was chosen by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation as Ohio’s Superintendent of the Year.

Additionally, he has been elected into both academic and athletic halls of fame at Minerva High School and into the North Canton Hoover High School Hall of Distinction.  At the University of Mount Union, he was honored by the M-Club Athletic Hall of Fame with their Award of Excellence. And, he has been inducted into both the Stark County and Tuscarawas County Amateur Baseball Halls of Fame.

Mr. Gallina is a motivational and keynote speaker, having provided talks, presentations, and retreats all across Ohio and several other states. Mike serves on numerous boards and civic organizations in and around northeast Ohio, with the Canton and North Canton areas as his primary service area.  He and his wife, Lynnette, continue to reside in North Canton.

Laura L. Mills, Esq.
Managing Partner
Mills, Mills, Fiely & Lucas
and Owner of Mills Historic Tower, Downtown Canton

For over twenty-eight years, Laura L. Mills has managed and provided a full-service litigation practice through the law firm of Mills, Mills, Fiely & Lucas. The law firm is the oldest law firm in Canton, Ohio and is housed in the Mills Historic Tower. The firm provides legal services throughout the entire state of Ohio.

Laura is a litigator and has defended multiple murder/attempted murder trials successfully. She has managed and tried multi-million dollar medical malpractice claims, business litigation matters, partnership disputes, contract litigation and divorces. She is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers, American Board of Trial Advocates, Super Lawyers, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and has earned the highest possible rating in legal ability and ethical standards from the bar and judiciary. 

She strongly and passionately advocates for individuals, especially in the realm of social injustice. She has appeared on national television (CBS, 48 Hours, Good Morning America, Dr. Phil, Fox News,) on behalf of her clients. She has appeared in LawNewz as well as being featured in her hometown paper for her work and commitment to domestic violence and other social injustice.

Laura is admitted to practice in state and federal courts throughout Ohio as well as the District of Columbia. She has also tried jury trials in multiple other states and jurisdictions as well as family matters in multiple states across the country.

Laura is on the state committee for the American College of Trial Lawyers, the executive committee for American Board of Trial Advocates, a Past President of the Stark County Academy of Trial Lawyers and listed in Super Lawyers for Business Litigation.

She serves on the Downtown Canton Partnership Board in Downtown Canton, The Community Relations Board in Canton, her Homeowners Association Board and is a Member of the Thurgood Marshall Equality and Justice Award Committee.

In addition to her trial work, she also assists many clients in business formation, real estate transactions, estate planning, and other transactional matters. 

Laura is a graduate of Mount Union College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a minor in Secondary Education. She obtained her law degree from the University of Akron School of Law while employed full time by a large multi-state law firm. She championed the regional trial team at the University of Akron as the first team of women to win at regionals. She is admitted in federal and state courts in Ohio, the District of Columbia and the United States Supreme Court. 

Barbara H. Bennett
Vice President of Education and Workforce
Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

Stark County native, Barbara Hammontree Bennett, is the Vice President of Education and Workforce for the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce since 2019. She is responsible for connecting businesses with education systems as part of the team addressing one of the Chamber’s goals to expand the region’s talent development.  In addition, she currently manages the newly formed Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnerships, an Ohio Manufacturers’ Association endorsed manufacturing industry sector partnership.
 

Barb graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BS in Civil Engineering and is both a registered professional engineer and professional surveyor in the state of Ohio.  She spent 28 years in the private engineering consulting field with her family’s business, Hammontree & Associates, Limited where she was on the Board of Managers and manager of the civil/site land development department.  

Throughout her career Barb has always been very active in her community. She is a graduate of the third class of Leadership Canton and has served in leadership capacities as Chairman of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, General Chairman of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, and Chairman of the Aultman Health Foundation. She has served on many non-profit boards in the community 

Barb and her husband, Stark County Engineer Keith Bennett, live in North Canton with their 2 young adult children.

Janelle Lee
Director of Client Engagement
MAGNET

Janelle Lee comes to MAGNET with a wealth of experience in community and economic development with an interest and passion for executing and cultivating business partnerships to help communities, businesses and people grow and thrive.

Janelle started with MAGNET in February 2020 as the Director of Client Engagement. She operates and manages the MAGNET Canton Technology and Innovation Center located at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and is responsible for outreach, client engagement and executing strategies to grow the manufacturing economic impact and MAGNET revenue in Northeast Ohio that includes the following counties of Stark, Wayne, Ashland, Richland, Crawford, Medina, Loraine, Huron, and Erie.

Prior to relocating to Stark County, Janelle was an economic developer in the greater Cincinnati region, focusing on several economic, community and urban revitalization initiatives and projects. Janelle also executed and managed strategies for recruiting international manufacturing companies for expansion and/or co-location to the greater Cincinnati region.
Janelle is currently a board member for the Stark County Minority Business Association (SCMBA), Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton, United Way of Greater Stark County, and the Downtown Canton Landbank Board (DCLB.) She also serves as Chair of the Black College Football Hall of Fame CEO Committee. In 2020 she served as Co-Chair for the Growing for Good campaign for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and Go Red for Women Campaign for the American Heart Association. She is an advisory committee member for Aultman College and recently served on the Malone University President’s Advisory Council. Janelle is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and a member of The Links, Incorporated.

Janelle received an Associate Degree in Applied Business from the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Union Institute & University.

Sandy K. Upperman
Community President, Greater Canton
and Regional Marketing Manager
Huntington Bank

Sandy Upperman serves as Huntington Bank’s Community President, Greater Canton. In this role, she leads Huntington’s customer outreach as well as Huntington’s growth and investment in the Canton area, including civic and community engagement functions. 

Upperman joined Huntington in 2000 starting as manager of marketing and investor relations and progressing to senior vice president. Prior to joining Huntington, she was employed by Diebold, Incorporated where she served as Manager, U.S./European Investor Relations, and Community Relations.

Active in the community, Upperman currently serves on the Stark Economic Development Board of Directors, Strengthening Stark, YMCA of Central Stark County Board of Trustees, and the Minority Business Association Board of Directors. Previously, she served on the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio (Executive Committee and Chairwoman, Volunteer Committee), Board of Directors for the American Red Cross of Stark County (Fund Development Committee); and the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association of Stark and Wayne Counties (Go Red for Women Chairwoman and Heart Walk Co-Chair).
 

Upperman completed coursework at Walsh University, North Canton, OH, the American Banker’s School of Bank Marketing, Denver, CO. She is also a graduate of Leadership Stark County’s 18th Class. Sandy and her husband, Dru reside in Jackson Township and have two adult sons.

Jackie Stewart
Director External Affairs
Encino Energy

Encino Energy is one of the largest private natural gas and oil producers in the U.S. and a top 25 North American natural gas producer. Encino is the largest oil producer and the second-largest natural gas producer in Ohio.

Ms. Stewart joined Encino Energy in 2019 and serves the Director External Affairs, where she leads corporate communication, stakeholder relationships, community, and government affairs.  

Prior to Encino she served as a Managing Director in FTI Consulting’s Energy and Natural Resources Strategic Communications practice. Jackie previously held senior positions with members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives and logged some time working for the PGA TOUR. Ms. Stewart was named the Southeastern Ohio Oil and Gas Association’s “Workhorse of the Year” award and to the People to Know in Energy list by Columbus Business First. She was appointed by Governor Mike DeWine to the Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Council (TAC), serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber and the Regional Chamber Foundation, the Development Advisory Council to the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) and Board of Directors for the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Foundation, the Executive Committee of the Stark Economic Development Board, Government Affairs Committee Vice Chair of the American Exploration and Production Council (AXPC) and serves on committees with the Ohio Chamber, Canton Regional Chamber, Women’s Energy Network (WEN) Ohio Chapter and the Mercy Service League. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Mount Union and lives in Ohio with her husband and two young children.

Rachel Hagemeier
President & CEO
Canton Symphony Orchestra

Rachel Hagemeier became the youngest President & CEO of the Canton Symphony Orchestra in October 2022. From 2019-2022, she served as the CSO Manager of Education and Community Engagement and expanded educational and community engagement programming despite a global pandemic. She is the producer and co-host of the podcast Orchestrating Change, a podcast dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of orchestral music. In 2019, Rachel was a member of the Essentials of Orchestra Management program through the League of American Orchestras where she studied with industry professionals for two weeks in Los Angeles, California. In Canton, she is a member of the board of directors for Lighthouse Ministries and participates in Leadership Stark County where she is a 2019 Spotlight Program and 2020-2021 Signature Program graduate. Rachel graduated from Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music with degrees in Bassoon Performance and Arts Management and Entrepreneurship. Growing up in Edmond, Oklahoma, she began studying the bassoon at the age of 11 under Dr. Lori Wooden. In college, she studied bassoon under Cleveland Orchestra members Phil Austin and Jonathan Sherwin. Rachel is a member of OMEA (Ohio Music Educators Association) and NAfME (National Association for Music Education) and runs a bassoon studio out of her home. She is happy to call Canton, Ohio her home and looks forward to serving the Canton Symphony Orchestra for years to come.

Trina Cutter
President/CEO
Western Reserve Public Media

Of the over 313 million people living in America only 172 of them lead public television stations. Out of those 172 leaders, only 38 are women. Canton-born and raised Trina Cutter is one of them.

Trina began her television career shortly after serving in the United States Air Force where she received numerous service awards and Medals of Honor.

While still in the Air Force Trina began her college education at Arizona State University and graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunications with a Bachelor of Science. Twenty years later she continued her education by earning a Master of Science Degree from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame.

While a student at Arizona State Trina began her broadcasting career. She has worked at public television stations in Utah, Indiana, Missouri and Ohio and has won numerous regional, statewide and national production awards.

Trina is a graduate of Mahoning Valley, Stark County, Akron and Toledo leadership programs as well as the Stark County Local Government Academy; and Missouri’s CLIMB program.

In 1996 Trina was one of 13 public television CEOs selected to serve on the Council of the National Forum for Public Television Executives. Since then she has served as Chairwomen, president, and trustee of several state and national industry Boards, Councils and Committees including becoming the first Chairwoman of the National Small Station Association.

Trina is the recipient of several awards of recognition including the Canton Lincoln High School Distinguished Alumni Award; Cleveland Crain’s Business Woman of Note; the Governor of Indiana’s highest civilian award for community service; and the St. Joseph County (Indiana) YWCA Women of the Year in the Business and Professional Category.
 
In 1994 she became the first female president/CEO of WNIT public television in South Bend, Indiana.

In 2002 she returned to her Ohio roots to become the first female president/CEO of Western Reserve Public Media, a 5-million-dollar corporation that holds the license for two public television stations that together serve as Ohio’s largest public television service in terms of population reach (5.13 million).

Jason Henkel
Founder & Chief Balance Officer
Focus to Evolve, LLC

Jason Henkel is a personal and organizational productivity expert known for his highly practical brain-based approach to multiplying meaningful output in the same number of hours spent; both in work and personal life while ushering in a healthier way to get it all done.

Through his own journey climbing the ranks of a global chemical company, he found himself in a role that was more than he could chew.  Hard work and more hours simply weren’t cutting it anymore.  Overwhelm and imbalance became the norm and with the help of his wife’s wise guidance he realized just how far off course he’d gone.  What’s it all for if there’s no joy!? Upon realization of this and an intense study, he’s found that golden path of being unusually effective and high producing while consistently feeling ‘out in front of it’.  It has become a mission of his to show these meta-skills and functions that has had such a dramatic impact on his life to everyone.

Jason will tell you, “My mess truly did become my message”.

When asked what he does, his default answer is: “I deliver calm, healthy, deliberate and authentic productivity”. He has been called by US Navy SEALS Commander Mark McGinnis ‘The Productivity Whisperer’ and is excited to have the answer to finally ending the reign of the email monster.  Having trained executive leadership teams and organizations around the world, he’s most interested in helping people thrive in their highest priorities while simultaneously enabling a more spacious, healthy and high-performing life.

Whitney Prather
Branding Strategist & Founder
Yokefellow Creative

Whitney Prather is a branding strategist and the founder of Yokefellow Creative, a branding and social media marketing agency. The agency helps personal brands and small businesses communicate clearly and beautifully online and in real life. Whitney started Yokefellow Creative in 2018 as a side-hustle and has since helped organizations of all sizes shape their programs, products, services, and events.

Whitney has extensive experience in marketing and is on a mission to help businesses build their brand so they can walk in purpose. She is passionate about faith-filled leadership, broadcast journalism, digital marketing, video production, productivity hacks, and makeup. When she’s not working, you’ll find Whitney hanging out with her husband, 8-year-old daughter, and mini Goldendoodle pup! Her current favorites include Virgin River (on Netflix), charcuterie boards, and turmeric lattes.

Nicole Sirpilla
Owner
Sirpilla Soirees

Nicole of Sirpilla Soirées has been in the wedding & event space since 2012. She began her journey by interning at Gervasi Vineyard when they first opened and later went on to gain experience in various aspects of the industry before starting her business in 2017 in Washington, DC. In 2019 Nicole relocated to Canton, Ohio where her studio is currently located. She has 3 lead planners including herself on her team and is continuing to grow each year. Nicole prides herself on the seamless planning process that her & her team have created as well as their innovative design services that help make every wedding & event truly unique. 

Jennifer Bolyard
Owner
Jenny Can Cleaning Company

Jenny Can Cleaning Company was started in January of 2012 by Jennifer Bolyard. Out of a need to work around her busy kid’s schedule, she found that cleaning allowed her a flexible schedule that got her kids to all the places they needed to be while maintaining her busy home schedule as well. With her past working as a property management company and getting to know a lot of investors and property managers, she landed her first job. She cleaned a lot of vacant apartments and then added on residential homes and that is how Jenny Can Cleaning Company came about.

In 2019, she stepped out of the everyday cleaning and was able to hire cleaners to carry out her vision and then she was able to start running the business side of Jenny Can. “It has been the best unexpected surprise owning Jenny Can.” Now she is able to focus on the growth of the company with the best employees. The employees of Jenny Can aim to provide the best customer service experience. “I am proud to own this company and bringing peace to so many people who love coming home to a clean home in this busy world.”                          

Jenny Can services Residential, Apartments, Small Commercial offices, Vacant(s) and any Move In/Move Out.  We also do carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, junk removal and professional organizing services. Contact us today if we can help you with getting your schedule and peace of mind back. 

Sandy Doll
Owner
Social at the Stone House

Sandy Doll is the owner of Social at the Stone House in Massillon, and a community volunteer, with a diverse background in the nonprofit, insurance, real
estate and hospitality industries. Born and raised in the Cleveland suburb of Parma, Sandy graduated from Valley Forge High School before earning her
A.A.B. in Business Management and A.A.B. in Marketing from Cuyahoga Community College.

Sandy’s career began at the Greater Cleveland Roundtable, a nonprofit organization founded by community leaders to improve multicultural and
multiracial relations in the city of Cleveland. She then served as an Executive Secretary and Senior Graphic Designer for Capitol American Life Insurance
Company. Capitol American was a $350 million, 300-employee company which developed and sold supplemental health and accident insurance policies. After relocating to the Canton area, Sandy had a brief career in the real estate industry. In 2019, Sandy founded Social at the Stone House, an event center
that has since expanded into a full-service restaurant. Under Sandy’s leadership, Social has received numerous accolades including a 2019 Business of the Year award from Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry, Mayor of Massillon, 2022 and 2023 Diner’s Choice Awards from Opentable, and voted number 3 for Best New
Restaurant in Akron Life in February, 2023. Social has been featured in the Independent, the Canton Repository, Akron Life and New Day Cleveland.

Sandy has extensive involvement with local charities and organizations. She has served in various capacities with the American Heart Association, Canton Museum of Art, Canton Central Catholic High School, Cleveland Clinic Blood Disease & Cancer Research, Domestic Violence Project, JRC, Meals on Wheels, Quest Recovery & Prevention Services, Refuge of Hope, Shared Blessings, St. Michael the Archangel School, United Way Power of the Purse and Whispering Grace Horses. She has been a member of Aultman Women’s Board since 2011
and has served on a multitude of committees including Program chair, Decorations chair for Angel Auctions and Fashion Shows, Ad-Hoc & Strategic
Planning Committees, Nominating Committee and co-chaired the Angel Auction in 2017 raising over $530,000, breaking all previous records. Sandy is a member of the Lake Cable Women’s Club, The Line & Design Garden Club, Shady Hollow Country Club and St. Michael the Archangel Church. She resides in Jackson Township with her husband Jeff and 17-year-old daughter Chloe. She also has a grown son Nick and a dog named Daisy. 

Lisa Waite
President
Waite Communication and Professional Development, LLC

Lisa Waite collaborates in education and business contributing to professional development retreats, leadership academies, exploring leader programs, and annual ‘playbook’ initiatives.

Her day job is  Communication Professor at Kent State University at Stark. In professional development, her commitment  reflects three decades of shaping extraordinary leaders as a dedicated practitioner and seasoned executive coach specializing in leadership, teams, and communication.

She has industry experience with the United States military, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, education, non-profit, hospitality, and popular food and beverage manufacturers. Sample partnerships include the US Air Force, Anheuser Busch, Frito-Lay, PepsiCo, FedEx, Heinz, JM Smucker Company, Shearer’s Foods, The Timken Roller Bearing Company, Diebold, GoJo, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company,
Cleveland Clinic Mercy, and Aultman Hospital. 

She holds an MA in Organizational Communication from the University of Akron, Dare to Lead® certification from the Brene` Brown Institute, and certifications in Humanistic Leadership and Executive Development from Barry-Wehmiller Corporate University.

Lisa’s ‘WHY’: I find my success in helping others find theirs. I do this by revealing everyone's greatest potential to become the best version of themselves.

Nikolina DjDiva
Mid-Day Host
Q92

Nikolina is Canton's Mid-Day Diva on Q92! Nikolina is known for being very fun,  involved in her community and the life of the party! She keeps listeners informed on Celebrity Gossip, local stories & news, music and artists. Nikolina has been featured on Jimmy Kimmel, E! and Perez Hilton with her Celebrity Interviews that have gone viral with Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato and Michelle Obama. Nikolina is highly active in the community, volunteering and serving on The Board of The Stark County Humane Society, The Canton Museum of Art and she is a member of the Canton Girl Gang which lifts and supports local business women. Nikolina is always hosting/emceeing events or benefits for local charities. You can listen to “The Mid-Day Diva” on 92.5 FM from 10am-2pm.

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