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Heart to Heart Leadership

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Akron, OH
Heart to Heart Leadership

Heart to Heart Leadership exists to cultivate purposeful and passionate leaders and teams.

At the Center for Immersive Leadership, we know that everyone is on a leadership journey…

Our purpose is to partner with you on this journey to cultivate purpose-driven, values-based, community-minded leadership. For 30+ years, we have inspired and developed the heart of leaders at any career stage who have potential to grow, aptitude to lead and capacity to build strong relationships. We focus o

n individuals and workplace teams by offering personalized programming, coaching, and consultation services to individuals and organizations. We provide a leadership training pathway that focuses on looking within to discover and develop the characteristics and strengths that enable individuals to follow a higher calling to lead beyond in organizational and community life, while bringing along others to also experience greater impact.

08/28/2026

We are incredibly grateful to the GAR Foundation for its generous investment in Heart to Heart Leadership. Support like this helps us continue our work of cultivating purposeful leaders and making leadership and team development accessible throughout our community.

Community members, what does this mean for you? It means affordable rates and scholarship opportunities that help make our programs accessible to more people.

Thank you, GAR Foundation, for helping make this work possible!

08/26/2026

LaDarrius Steele, the Senior Director of the Upward Bound Classic Academy at Kent State University, was in our Purposeful Leadership Program earlier this year. In a role where he designs and manages programs that support first generation college, low-income students and community members, LaDarrius took the opportunity to dive deeper into his leadership journey. Here is what he has to say about the Purposeful Leadership Program.

1. What part of your work right now feels most meaningful to you?

The most meaningful part of my work is helping create opportunities that expand what my team would typically expect from their job description.

As a leader, I see my role as removing barriers, developing people, and creating the conditions for success for the staff I have the privilege of leading. I find the greatest fulfillment in utilizing my natural ability to be a true 6 and helping others comfortably sit in their enneagram style.

2. What competencies from the Purposeful Leadership Program are you finding most helpful?

I often find myself relying on the program's emphasis on leading from the heart. The program reinforced the importance of understanding my own values and leadership tendencies while remaining curious about the tendencies of others with and around my team how I could best work with these individuals to make lasting impact in our organization.

3. What was your favorite part about the Purposeful Leadership Program?

Although it may seem super simple, my favorite part of the program was the opportunity to simply build community alongside a diverse group of leaders who brought different experiences, perspectives, and approaches to leadership. The vulnerability, trust, and both similarities and differences are what made our cohort a success.

08/25/2026

We just wrapped up another incredible year of the Inside the Heart of Leadership program with the childcare providers taking part in the Unified Early Learning System pilot — and we couldn't be more moved.

These educators show up every day for our youngest learners, then showed up again for themselves, coming straight from long days with kids to invest in their own growth as leaders. That kind of dedication says everything about who they are.

A special shoutout to two providers who completed this program last year and chose to come back for more. Destiny Eskridge and Danyell Allen, you are committed to keep growing and mentoring others. That's what lifelong leadership looks like. Thank you for your participation, the wisdom you bring to each group, and your willingness to give back.

Over the past year, this cohort dug into growth mindset, authentic leadership, resilience, coaching others, and so much more — all in service of building stronger classrooms, stronger teams, and a stronger early learning community.

Thank you to Richelle Wardell from the City of Akron, Ohio - Mayor's Office, Regina Houston and Amy Wise from Early Childhood Resource Center, and so many others for making this work possible.

To every provider who showed up tired but committed to yourself and the children in your care--it's been an honor.

08/13/2026

Leadership is its own skill set.

When someone steps into a leadership role, they may need to learn how to communicate differently, build trust, navigate difficult conversations, coach instead of simply direct, and lead through change.

Watch this short video with President and CEO, Jeremy D. Lile about the leadership skill gap that can come with a promotion.

Inside the Heart of Leadership helps organizations develop the people they are counting on to lead.

Our next cohort begins September 3. Registration closes August 21.

Know someone who is ready for that next step? Please send this their way.

https://www.htohleadership.org/inside-the-heart-of-leadership/

08/11/2026

It was fun to see the Heart to Heart sign go up last week. Seeing our name and logo back on the building felt pretty special.

And we’re moving forward—grateful for the journey, energized for what’s ahead, and deeply committed to the work we’ve always believed in.

Heart to Heart Leadership
Look Within. Lead Beyond.

08/06/2026

Meet Kat Wentz, Operations Manager at GAR Foundation and a member of our Purposeful Leadership Program – Spring 2026 Expedition 12 cohort.

Kat oversees operations, property management, and administrative functions, drawing on her leadership experience to drive efficiency and support her organization's strategic goals.

Here's what Kat had to say about her experience in the Purposeful Leadership Program:

What part of your work right now feels most meaningful to you?

One of the most meaningful parts of my work is creating systems and processes that help our team operate more effectively so we can better support our grantees and the community. Whether it's improving internal operations, implementing new technology, or helping our team thoughtfully explore AI, I enjoy finding practical solutions that make people's work easier and allow us to focus more on our mission.

What competencies from the Purposeful Leadership Program are you finding most helpful?

The competency I use most often is leading through collaboration and curiosity. The program reinforced the importance of listening first, asking thoughtful questions, and approaching challenges from multiple perspectives. Those skills have been especially valuable as I've taken on cross-functional projects, supported organizational change, and worked with colleagues across different roles and priorities.

What was your favorite part about the Purposeful Leadership Program?

My favorite part of the program was connecting with leaders from different organizations across our community. Hearing about their experiences and approaches to leadership broadened my perspective and reminded me that many leadership challenges are shared across sectors. The relationships and conversations were just as valuable as the formal curriculum, and I left feeling inspired with new ideas that I could apply in my own work.

08/05/2026

"Leadership development is a gift to your future self."

Our President & CEO, Jeremy Lile, often shares this idea, and it's one that continues to resonate. Investing in your growth today shapes how you'll lead tomorrow.

Our upcoming program, Inside the Heart of Leadership is about creating this space to reflect, learn alongside other leaders, and build habits that make a lasting impact.

Over the course of 12 interactive sessions, participants:

•Develop greater confidence
•Strengthen relationships
•Discover a renewed sense of purpose
•Gain practical tools they can apply immediately.

Whether you're looking to grow as a leader yourself or invest in someone on your team, the benefits extend far beyond the individual. Stronger leaders build stronger teams, healthier workplace cultures, and more resilient organizations.

Inside the Heart of Leadership
Next Cohort Begins: September 3
Registration Deadline: August 21
Partial scholarships are available.

If this feels like the right next step for you (or someone you know) we'd love to welcome you to this year's cohort.

Register here: https://www.htohleadership.org/inside-the-heart-of-leadership/

07/30/2026

Strong organizations are built by leaders who are willing to better understand themselves and one another.

This week, we had the opportunity to work with Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center's leadership team using our program, The Enneagram at Work, exploring the motivations, communication styles, and perspectives that shape how we lead and work together.

We're looking forward to continuing the conversation with their managers next week as we build a shared language and understanding across the organization.

It's always rewarding to partner with teams that are committed to growing, not just as individual leaders, but as a stronger organization together.

Grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside this incredible team!

07/29/2026

We could keep telling you about this program—but we'd rather let some recent graduates do the talking.

For over 15 years, Inside the Heart of Leadership (formerly called Leadership from Within) has helped leaders grow in confidence, strengthen relationships, and lead with greater purpose, both professionally and personally.

We're honored to be part of so many leadership journeys.

Our next cohort begins September 3, and registration closes August 21.

Ready to invest in your growth or the growth of someone on your team? We'd love to have you join us.

Learn more here: https://www.htohleadership.org/inside-the-heart-of-leadership/

07/28/2026

The Hearts of Humanity team recently completed Heart to Heart Leadership's Working as One program with Christine Williams where they learned about the importance of working better together through improved communication.

Their leadership is making a difference in our community by providing services to individuals with developmental, intellectual, and emotional disabilities.

Congratulations to all participants!

Address

37 N. High Street, Suite B
Akron, OH
44308

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+13304343278

Website

https://www.htohleadership.org/

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