Staff photo / Brandon Cantwell The 41 members of Leadership Mahoning Valley’s Class of 2025 stand on the stairs of The Grand Resort for a photo ahead of the celebration’s opening remarks and dinner Wednesday evening. The graduates came from organizations across Trumbull and Mahoning counties, such as Warren City Schools and YoGo Bikeshare, which officially launched at the Youngstown Flea in April 2024.

HOWLAND — Mark Buchenic explained that, as someone born and raised in the Mahoning Valley and later left, he learned many things about the area that were both new and inspiring.

“When I came back to start with MS (Consultants) two years ago, they asked me if I wanted to go through Leadership Mahoning Valley,” said Buchenic, who became its Vice President of Regional Operations Eastern Ohio two years ago. “I thought it would be a good time to reconnect with a lot of people local to the Valley.”

Buchenic was just one of 41 graduates among the 220 colleagues, family members and organization alumni who filled The Grand Resort to celebrate their completion of Leadership Mahoning Valley’s 9-month leadership development program.

The program, which began in September 2024 and marked the organization’s 40th anniversary, included a series of speakers, tours and hands-on activities as participants garnered knowledge of programs, services and institutions throughout the Valley. Program days involved topics like Justice and Public Safety, Quality of Life and Health and Human Services.

JoAnn Stock, Leadership Mahoning Valley’s executive director, provided welcoming remarks ahead of the graduation celebration, noting that time had “flown by” since the 2025 class was announced.

“The class was amazing; they gelled instantly. It was amazing to see how, on the opening retreat, they came into the room as strangers and left after the second day as friends,” Stock said. “And that feeling continued throughout the entire nine months of the program.”

Stock asked that the 41 members of the class continue to give back and stay connected and rise through their organizations so that they can keep the momentum going with their programs. The programs Stock referred to were those which targeted specific affinity groups, such as a Women’s Leadership Network and Young Professionals.

Emily Huggins, a manager and marketing coordinator for Packer Thomas, and Jeff Fishel, a First National Bank branch manager, co-captained the graduating class.

Huggins echoed Stock’s statement that they entered the program as strangers — admitting that she wasn’t quite sure where they would fit in initially.

“Today, we stand here as 40 friends united by a shared connection to strengthening our community. During our program year, we learned how to be better leaders within our profession — but within our community,” Huggins said. “The program taught us that real change happens when passionate individuals come together with a shared vision and take the time to truly understand the challenges and strengths of each other.

“Leadership is not just about the titles we have — it’s about action, empathy and building relationships.”

Huggins and Fishel presented SMARTS President and Founder Becky Keck with a check for $2,320 on behalf of the Class of 2025.

Keck expressed gratitude for their support, saying that SMARTS was honored to be part of their leadership journey.

“They have empowered us by telling our story,” said Keck, a member of the program’s Class of 2001. “This will help us to continue to grow and reach deep into the community to find those students who need us the most.”