Leadership Mahoning Valley will formally introduce the 43 individuals selected to participate in the Class of 2026 during a kick-off breakfast 7:30 a.m. Sept. 25 at The Grand Resort, 9519 E. Market St., Howland.

Following the breakfast, the members of the Class of 2026 will continue for a two-day opening retreat that will begin the nine-month program. Through this immersive, interactive program that includes a series of speakers, tours, hands-on activities and site visits, participants will gain knowledge of programs, services, businesses and institutions in our community.

Program days are centered on topics such as History, Heritage and Culture of the Valley, Government and Public Service, Media and Communications, Health and Human Services, Education, Business, Labor and Economic Development, Housing and Community Development, Justice and Public Safety, and Quality of Life.

The program year will conclude in June 2026, with the Leadership Mahoning Valley annual meeting and graduation ceremony.

“Upon completion of the program, these individuals will join the nearly 1,400 Leadership Mahoning Valley alumni who have graduated from the program and have gone on to serve our community in a variety of leadership roles,” JoAnn Stock, Leadership Mahoning Valley president, said.

Members of the Class of 2026 are:

Ketuan Baldwin, solutions architect, Microsoft Corporation; Julianna Begalla, vice president, director of marketing, Farmers National Bank of Canfield; Kimberly Bauchens, vice president, service lines, Bon Secours Mercy Health; Varada Bhide, chief operating officer, YWCA Mahoning Valley;

Maria Bova, associate director of government affairs, Youngstown State University; Traci Buttar, CPA, manager, Packer Thomas; Amanda Cox, project engineer, Hynes Industries; Jessica Bochy Deane, VP of marketing, Aim Transportation Solutions; Melanie DeCarmen, human resources manager, Vallourec Star LP;

Gina DeGenova, magistrate, Mahoning County Juvenile Court; Rachael Dobson, director, The Rich Center for Autism at Youngstown State University; Kevin Flinn, commissioner of Building and Grounds, city of Youngstown; Amanda Fluck, marketing director, Window World Youngstown; Adam Gargano, branch manager, First National Bank;

Karrington Griffin, certification specialist, Youngstown Business Incubator; Alex Hertzer, executive director, Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition; Tanay Hill, business resource adviser, Valley Economic Development Partners; Jim Houck, president, Houck Agency; Robert Kearns, deputy superintendent, Youngstown City Schools;

Jeremy Kerola, owner / vice president, Uniserv LLC; Monica Kirkland, program service director, Mahoning County Juvenile Court; Courtney Lockshaw, financial resource development director, Youngstown Area Jewish Federation; Ryan MacLennan, director of Operations and Outreach, Trumbull County Historical Society; Bridget Madden, customer service manager, Berk Enterprises;

Nicole Madison, clinical nurse manager, Akron Children’s Hospital; Casey Makosky, HR generalist, Metalico Youngstown; Heather McCowin, chief nursing officer, Mercy Health; Jason Neal, director of Site Strategies, Lake to River Economic Development;

John Orsini, partner / owner, BSHM Architects; Nikunj Patel, chief operating officer, Cadence Care Network; Katie Petridis, program coordinator, Potential Development; Jacqueline Podolsky, senior manager, Tax, Cohen & Co.;

Luke Politsky, director of development, Youngstown Business Incubator; Brian Rella, treasurer, Mahoning County Career and Technical Center; Elizabeth Repasky, chief human resource officer, The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County; Angela Sanders, customer success manager, Philips Healthcare; Michelle Sawicki, business engagement and training coordinator, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates;

Michelle Schmader, senior communications coordinator, National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining / America Makes; David Sova, operations manager, Vallourec Star; Jill Stefanucci-Uberti, vice president medical affairs, Bon Secours Mercy Health; Zachary Teter, business project manager, MS Consultants Inc.; Patricia Summers, founder, president and CEO, Youngstown Blue Coats; and Danielle Yarina, property manager, Trumbull Metropolitan Housing Authority.

The event is open to the public. Advance registration is required. Individual reservations are $55 each and can be made online at www.leadershipmahoning

valley.org or by calling 234-877-1520.