Best Leadership Podcast Ever

Todd is the Associate Dean of Students for Conduct and Community Engagement at Kent State University, a community volunteer, youth sports coach, and dedicated advocate for student success. In his conversation with Andra, Todd shares his journey from growing up in New York to finding a career in higher education, describing how a shy and introverted young adult gradually developed the confidence to...

Heather is a longtime Portage County resident, nonprofit leader, community volunteer, and advocate for kindness, honesty, and service. In her conversation with Andra, Heather reflects on taking part in Leadership Portage County early in her career and how the program introduced her to people, places, and systems across the county that she otherwise may not have encountered. She also shares why Ken...

Jennifer is a longtime higher education leader, former student-athlete and coach, and current development professional with the American Heart Association. In her conversation with Andra, Jennifer shares her journey from growing up in Mahoning County to becoming a Division I student-athlete at Bowling Green, and how her passion for sports and mentorship led her to Kent State University, where she...

Ryan is the Director of the Portage County Emergency Management Agency and a lifelong Portage County resident whose career has been shaped by service, preparedness, and a deep commitment to community. In his conversation with Andra, Ryan shares his journey from growing up in rural Portage County to serving in the Air Force Reserves and working across the country before returning home to take on a...

Brian is the Chief Operating Officer at UH Portage Medical Center and a longtime healthcare leader who has spent more than 20 years with University Hospitals. In his conversation with Andra, Brian shares his journey from growing up in Northeast Ohio to beginning his career as an occupational therapist, and how his clinical experience continues to shape his leadership approach today. He reflects on...

Amanda is the first Executive Director of Plexus LGBT & Allied Chamber of Commerce and a dynamic advocate for inclusive workplaces and thriving small businesses across Northeast Ohio. In her conversation with Andra, Amanda shares what drew her to Leadership Portage County's inaugural Class of 2024, her journey to Kent through family and caregiving, and her deep commitment to building community whe...

Janice is the Executive Director of the Portage Foundation and a passionate advocate for community connection and service. In her conversation with Andra, Janice shares how serendipity led her to the Foundation at a pivotal moment in life, when her two daughters were heading off to college and she found herself asking, "What's next?" After years of championing her family and community in different...

Ted is a lifelong Portage County resident, veteran, entrepreneur, and community leader whose professional journey spans military service, personal training, health club ownership, national steel sales, and—most recently—the recovery and behavioral health field. In his conversation with Andra, Ted reflects on growing up in Windham, leaving the area for military service and work opportunities, and u...

Keleigh Veraldo-Zucchero, Leadership Portage County Class of 2023, is our guest for episode six of The Best Leadership Podcast Ever!  Keleigh is a longtime Kent resident, community volunteer, and real estate advisor who spent more than two decades in elementary education before transitioning into real estate during the COVID-19 pandemic. In her conversation with Andra, Keleigh shares her personal...

Randy Griffith, Leadership Portage County Class of 2005, is our guest for the fifth episode of The Best Leadership Podcast Ever!  As the Superintendent of Maplewood Career Center, Randy is a leader in public vocational education. In his conversation with Andra, Randy describes his winding professional journey, starting with his undergraduate experience in computer programming at the University of...

Shannon Zemba is our guest in Episode 4 of The Best Leadership Podcast Ever. Shannnon is a member of Leadership Portage County's Class of 2025. Shannon is a wife, mother, and owner of downtown Kent's Over Easy at the Depot. Shannon shares with Andra her experience growing up in Streetsboro, graduating from Maplewood Career Center, and then moving to St. Croix to assist her mother and stepfather wi...

Leighann Fink from the Leadership Portage County Class of 2022 is our guest for our third episode of The Best Leadership Podcast Ever!  Leighann is a mom, wife, and accomplished attorney who works at Ohio's Ninth District Court of Appeals and who regularly volunteers throughout the county. She is the President of Leadership Portage County's Board of Directors while also serving on the boards of Ha...

Will Duck from the Leadership Portage County Class of 2025 is our guest for our second episode of The Best Leadership Podcast Ever!  Will is a husband and dad, and he serves the Portage County Combined Health District in the position of Environmental Health Supervisor of Water Quality. In their conversation, Will shares with Andra how a conversation he had while earning is biology degree and worki...

Our first guest on The Best Leadership Podcast Ever is none other than Janet Dix from the inaugural Leadership Portage County Class of 1992.  Janet is a wife, mom, and a new grandma, retired therapist, and philanthropist. In their conversation, Janet shares with host Andra Polasky how she came to plant roots in Portage County, her experience as a member of the first LPC class, and how her own diag...