Leadership Toledo

02/10/2026

📣 Registration is now open for Focus 419!

Focus 419 is a 2½-day immersive experience offering an insider’s look at the Toledo region, including its history, current landscape, and future possibilities. Participants connect with leaders across industries through hands-on learning opportunities.

📅 June 24–26, 2026
🔗 leadershiptoledo.org/focus-419

Learn more and register today. Space is limited, secure your spot asap!

02/06/2026

💚🍽️

02/03/2026

✨ Staff Spotlight: Meet Danielle✨

Danielle is the Development and Alumni Relations Manager at Leadership Toledo. She brings a people-first approach informed by her love of travel and an ongoing respect for different cultures and lived experiences. Guided by the mantra “lead with curiosity and kindness,” she encourages emerging leaders to listen more than they speak and to approach leadership with care and intention. She values building relationships and creating space for people, organizations, and ideas to come together across Toledo.

Favorite icebreaker: If you could travel anywhere in the world and money were no object, where would you go?

Outside of work, Danielle stays connected by serving on nonprofit boards, showing up to local events, and supporting small businesses (especially locally owned restaurants). What she loves most about Toledo is its heart: a place where people genuinely care, collaborate, and show up for one another. Fun fact: she’s a passionate traveler and foodie who can turn a casual conversation into a full travel itinerary.

📍 Favorite Toledo institution: Toledo Museum of Art
🍽️ Toledo Eats: Too many favorites to choose just one!

02/03/2026

One week until registration opens for Focus 419!

This 2½-day immersive experience offers a deeper understanding of the Toledo region and equips participants to step into active leadership roles across our community.

From local government and economic development to education, the arts, and social services, members can expect a fast-paced, engaging curriculum.

🗓 Registration opens February 10
⚠️ Space is limited—reserve your spot early!

01/29/2026

✨ Staff Spotlight: Meet Arika ✨

As the Adult Program Director, Arika is a passionate cheerleader for Toledo (and for any community she finds herself in)! She brings a heart-forward, community-centered, and deeply curious approach to her work. She believes strong communities are built by caring for people first and creating spaces where individuals feel safe, supported, and invited to belong. Her advice to emerging leaders reflects that same spirit: lead with courage, kindness, and curiosity, and stay open to growth along the way.

Favorite icebreaker: If you could be summoned by a lighted symbol in the sky, like Batman, what would your symbol be?

Outside of work, Arika stays connected through a mix of community involvement and personal joy. She enjoys spending time in the Metroparks, supporting conservation and environmentalism, facilitating meaningful conversations, and showing up for causes like affordable housing and belonging. Fun fact: she’s a proud collector of hobbies, including playing music and antiquing for furniture and glass. But her latest obsession is making sourdough bread.

📍 Favorite Metropark: Swan Creek
🍽️ Toledo Eats: Sidon Lebanese Grille & Schmucker’s
☕ Coffee go-to: Plate 21

01/27/2026

✨ Staff Spotlight: Meet Nickie ✨

Nickie brings a deeply service-oriented approach to her work at Leadership Toledo. She believes leadership is an act of service and encourages emerging leaders to get curious about themselves, others, and the systems around them.

Favorite icebreaker: What are you reading right now?

She’s especially proud of the work she’s done refreshing YIPEE over the past few years, thoughtfully honoring its core values while helping it grow. Outside of work, Nicole stays connected through the Toledo YES Project, putting faith into action through service. Fun fact: she’s an avid (and fast!) reader - logging an impressive 95 books in 2025.

📍 Favorite Toledo Gem: Toledo Lucas County Public Library
🍽️ Toledo Eats: Sidon Lebanese Grille & Bakery

01/27/2026

We’re so proud of seniors Isabella Acevedo (YIPEE 2026) and Joel Drees (YLT 2024, YIPEE 2026, YIPEE Leadership Team) on being named Inverness Evans Scholars!

Selected as two of just eight students in the Evans Scholars Class of 2026, they’ve earned a prestigious full tuition and housing scholarship through the Evans Scholars Foundation. This honor reflects their hard work, leadership, and commitment to their community.

Congratulations Isabella & Joel! 👏

☘️🎓 CONGRATULATIONS, ISABELLA & JOEL!!! ☘️🎓

We’re incredibly proud of seniors Isabella Acevedo & Joel Drees on being named Inverness Evans Scholars — an outstanding honor that recognizes academic excellence, leadership, & character.

Isabella & Joel are two of just eight students selected for the Evans Scholars Class of 2026, earning a prestigious full tuition & housing scholarship through the Evans Scholars Foundation.

This remarkable achievement reflects years of hard work, dedication, & commitment both in & out of the classroom — & makes the entire Irish community proud.

Just another reason why it’s GREAT to be Irish — GO IRISH!!! l l l l l l l l l ☘️💚

01/23/2026

✨ Staff Spotlight: Meet Anna ✨

Anna has been with Leadership Toledo since 2012, and she’s proud of how LT’s programs and community presence have grown over the years. Her leadership mantra? “Just keep swimming.” She encourages emerging leaders to be gracious with themselves and embrace the unknown.

Favorite icebreaker: Asking people to share an item of significance - an activity that invites deeper connection while giving individuals control over what they share.

Outside of work, Anna stays connected through arts advocacy, education, and school involvement. Fun fact: Anna is a Musical Theatre graduate from Indiana University (Go Hoosiers!), which might explain her love for the performing arts.

📍 Favorite Metropark: Side Cut
☕ Local Love: Plate 21 (and all partners!)

01/22/2026

💭 “Keep the lessons and let go of what wasn’t serving you,” was yesterday’s mantra as YLT students spent the day at First Tee - Lake Erie exploring mental health through movement and reflection.

The day began with a powerful talk by Bryce Roberts from Foxwood Counseling & Consulting, “Better Understanding Ourselves: How to Better Manage Overwhelm and Exhaustion,” that dove into the window of tolerance and strategies for managing stress and emotions. This was followed by an insightful panel that offered valuable perspectives on teen mental health and led an engaging, open discussion with students.

🎤 Mental Health Professionals Panel:
• Emily Ellis, MA, LPCC, LSPS
• Christy Suggs, MS, MA, LPC
• Wendy Nathan, LPCC-S
• Bryce Roberts, MA, LPCC

The day wrapped up with three interactive rotations focused on emotional regulation through physical activity, led by Coach Nick and Coach Shawn from First Tee – Lake Erie Programming.

A special thank you to Owens Community College for generously sponsoring yesterday’s lunch. We’re grateful for everyone who made this impactful experience possible!

01/21/2026

🎉 Staff Spotlight: Welcome Mackenzie! 🎉

We’re excited to welcome Mackenzie to the Leadership Toledo team as the new Communications, Marketing, and Event Coordinator! She brings a thoughtful, exploratory approach to her work and a deep appreciation for Toledo’s history. Guided by the mantra: “What if it doesn’t work out?” “Ah, but what if it does?”, she encourages emerging leaders to stay curious and lean into possibility.

Outside of work, you’ll likely find her walking downtown, admiring historic homes, or thrifting for hidden gems. Fun fact: after 8 years in Chicago, she made her way back home to the Glass City and we’re so glad she did!

📍Favorites: Glass City Metropark & The Toledo Museum of Art

🍽️ Toledo Eats: Souk, Georgio’s Café International, & Summit Diner

01/20/2026

We are incredibly proud to celebrate two outstanding youth program participants — Rashaun Coley, Jr. (YLT 2024; Senior, Sylvania Northview High School) and Jaden Tolliver (YLT 2024; YIPEE 2025–2026, Leadership Team; Senior, St. Francis De Sales High School), who were honored with scholarships at the 34th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast, presented by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Xi Lambda Chapter.

We are excited to celebrate this milestone and look forward to the continued impact they will make in their schools and communities!