Dreamers, Drivers, Doers

When Zac Kohl bought his East Akron home for $4,500, he wasn’t just investing in property—he was planting roots in a neighborhood he believed in. Years later, that belief has grown into a movement, with community development, housing restoration, and now adynamic new food hall at the heart of it all in this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Zac, Executive Director of The Well CDC, joins Barry D...

What’s holding business leaders back from expanding, innovating, or taking that next big leap? For Chuck Mullen, it often comes down to fear—and he’s here to challenge it. Chuck, Partner and Great Lakes Market Leader at Eide Bailly, joins Steve Millard for a candid conversation on how to lead through uncertainty, navigate mergers, and build trust in a changing world. Drawing from 20+ years in publ...

As the 2025 Kaulig Companies Championship returns to Firestone Country Club from June 18–22, we’re revisiting a conversation with Don Padgett, Executive Director of the tournament. In this episode, originally aired in 2024, Don and Steve Millard discuss the tournament’s deep roots in Akron, its economic and charitable impact, and what makes it more than just a golf event. Whether you’re a fan of t...

In celebration of Small Business Month, this episode, originally spotlights the woman entrepreneurs building community and driving local impact. Steve Millard talks with Tara Mosley and Joelle Diane Zellman about Women Supporting Women, a vendor event that showcased the power of women-led small businesses in Greater Akron.

In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President Steve Millard sits down with Frey Canty, owner of The Soulful Vegan, Downtown Akron’s first Black female-owned restaurant. What began as a personal fitness journey and a love for sharing workouts online turned into a powerful pivot—from running a gym to creating plant-based meals that filled a gap in Akron’s dining scene....

In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President and CEO Steve Millard talks with Tracy Carter, System Director of Government Affairs and Health Policy at Summa Health. Tracy shares her inspiring journey from a young intern seeking mentorship at 18 to becoming a key voice in healthcare policy and advocacy at one of the region’s leading health systems. Tracy discusses th...

In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President and CEOSteve Millard sits down with John Williams, President and CEO of the Akron Urban League. As the Akron Urban League approaches its 100th anniversary, John discusses the organization’s enduring legacy and its evolving role in workforce development, youth engagement, and small business support. From safe spaces for te...

In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President and CEO Steve Millard sits down with Dr. Teri Lash-Ritter, President of Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Lodi Hospitals and President of the South Submarket of the Northeast Ohio Market. Dr. Lash-Ritter shares her leadership journey from growing up in Canton to becoming a key figure in healthcare administration, with a...

In this episode, Steve Millard and John Rizzo talk with Todd McCracken, President & CEO of the National Small Business Association (NSBA) about the organization's history and the services they offer. Todd provides insight into various issues that small businesses face such as the Small Business Income Deduction, Corporate Transparency Act, R&D amortization, and other actions they're taking...

In this episode, we sit down with Dan Rice, President and CEO of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, to explore how this impactful organization connects communities through history, recreation, and economic development. With over 150 public and private partners, the Coalition works to preserve and promote the rich educational and recreational assets along the Ohio & Erie Canalway like the...

With energy costs set to rise by a whopping 10%-20% this summer, commercial businesses and residences alike are facing mounting expenses. By investing in solar, businesses can lock in energy rates for up to 30 years, take advantage of a 30% federal tax credit, and even benefit from domestic manufacturing incentives. In this episode, Steve sits down with Anthony Manna Jr., President of Hello Sunray...

In this episode, Steve sits down with Michele Maas, President and Founder of Another Act of Kindness, and Jonathan Maas, board member and survivor of a life-threatening battle with COVID-19. After Jonathan’s miraculous recovery, Michelle was inspired to give back to the nurses who saved his life. Together, they launched Another Act of Kindness, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting healthcare worker...

In this special episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, we sit down with Rick Rogers, Founder and Executive Director of Curated Storefront and the 2025 recipient of the H. Peter Burg Economic Development Leadership Award. A visionary entrepreneur, business leader, and champion of the arts, Rick has played a pivotal role in shaping Akron’s economic and cultural landscape. From expanding B.W. Rogers Co...

In this episode, Steve sits down with Kathy Wilcox and Joe Watson of Switch Innovation Lab to explore the power of design thinking in organizational success and how a human-centered approach can solve workplace challenges, foster innovation, and create psychological safety. The three dive into appreciative inquiry, the importance of focusing on strengths rather than faults, and the role of emotion...

In this episode, Steve talks with Rob Buchwald, founder of Akron Innovations, about how businesses can effectively integrate AI to drive growth and innovation. Rob explains why AI adoption should be seen as a business process change rather than just a technology upgrade, emphasizing the need for leaders to embrace AI early rather than waiting for competitors to set the standard. He discusses the r...

In this episode, Steve sits down with Rachel Bridenstine, President of the Development Finance Authority (DFA), to discuss how the organization supports large-scale development and job creation. They explore how DFA helps finance community projects, infrastructure, and business growth. Rachel highlights the Western Reserve Community Fund, a nonprofit initiative providing access to capital, technic...

In this episode, Steve talks with Bridget Ambrisco, Executive Director of the Akron Parks Collaborative, about how Akron’s parks enhance community engagement, safety, and the city’s appeal to families and businesses alike. Bridget shares how the organization connects residents with the city to improve and maintain parks, the impact of initiatives like the Akron Parks Challenge, and the importance...

When Daisy Pops owner Amy Mucha’s business Facebook account was hacked, she faced an uphill battle to regain control. In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, host Steve Millard walks through Amy’s story, with cybersecurity expert Jay Mellon of AtNetPlus offering insights on what she did right, what went wrong, and how small businesses can protect themselves. They discuss essential security me...

In this episode, Steve sits down with Elizabeth (Biz) Voudouris, President & CEO of Business VolunteersUnlimited (BVU), to discuss the positive impact of business volunteerism andboard service onorganizations. Biz shares how companies can engage employees in board service to develop leadershipskills, enhance company culture, and strengthen community impact. The conversation explores strategiesfor...

This episode dives deep into how small and midsize businesses can navigate today’s fast-paced technology landscape with a focus on IT management, cybersecurity, and AI integration. Jay Mellon, Owner of AtNetPlus, explains the interconnected nature of network management and security, highlighting the rising cybersecurity risks facing businesses and how tailored solutions can mitigate them. The conv...

In 2024, the Greater Akron Chamber and Canton Regional Chamber formally aligned their government affairs and advocacy activities through the Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance (ACAA) to represent the needs of their collective 4,500 members and engage with elected officials and policymakers for the benefit of jobs, investment, and growth for the Akron-Canton region. Steve Millard sits down with Jeff Da...

In this episode, GAC Executive Vice President Brynn Allio Popa turns the tables on host Steve Millard for a fun, fast moving discussion about GAC’s work in 2024 and key priorities for 2025 created by the recent refresh of the organization’s blueprint. The pair cover key aspects of the strategy refresh, helping businesses navigate resources in the community, fighting the workforce problem, DEI, and...

Akronites know that our city has a deep and colorful history that's shaped the fabric of our region. Back in June, we welcomed Mark Greer, Executive Director of the Akron Bicentennial, into the studio to talk about the upcoming Bicentennial celebration in 2025. A number of events and historic celebrations will take place aimed at bringing the city together that we want to put on your radar before...

In this milestone 100th episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President Steve Millard sits down with Michael Considine, founder of Norka Beverage Company. As Norka marks its 100th anniversary, Michael shares insights into preserving a legacy brand while navigating the challenges of running a small family business. Steve and Michael discuss the incredible transformations happen...

Leadership comes in all shapes, sizes, and forms, and an effective leadership strategy starts with the individual–understanding one’s strengths (and weaknesses), what makes them “tick”, and how they can best contribute to their community. Earlier this year, United Way Summit/Medina and Heart to Heart Leadership merged to create the Center for Immersive Leadership at United Way with a focus on crea...