Dreamers, Drivers, Doers

To learn more about the engines behind the world-class innovations coming out of Northeast Ohio, Host Steve Millard caught up with two Ohio changemakers: Hans Dorfi, the Executive Director & Chief Innovation Officer of the Polymer Industry Cluster based in Akron, and Megan Malara, the Director of the Youngstown Innovation Hub. They discuss how their respective innovation hubs are providing investment and infrastructure to start ups and how they work together to secure Northeast Ohio as a national and global leader in manufacturing and advanced materials. Plus, Hans and Megan share some exciting updates and companies to watch coming out of the Akron and Youngstown areas. Learn more about the Polymer Industry Cluster atpolymerindustrycluster.org. Learn more about the Youngstown Innovation Hub atwww.youngstownhub.us/To hear more of the voices that are driving Greater Akron forward, subscribe to Dreamers, Drivers, Doers Here: https://greaterakronchamber.org/podcast/
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As colleges across Ohio face dropping enrollments, The University of Akron (UA) is boldlydefying higher education trends. The public university reported consecutive enrollmentgrowth for the past two years – that hasn’t been seen at UA since 2011. To betterunderstand the university’s momentum, Host Steve Millard sat down with two peoplebehind the wheel, President R.J. Nemer and Chief Brand Officer Katy Brennan.They talk UA’s new cheeky and memeified marketing strategy, how the university isrepositioning its value proposition, the viral football opening drive raffle, and tons of otherexciting updates.To learn more about the personalities and voices that are driving Greater Akron forward,subscribe to Dreamers, Drivers, Doers here: https://greaterakronchamber.org/podcast/

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No employer expects to face tragedy in the workplace, but every organization should be prepared for how to respond when it happens. Host Steve Millard sits down with Rebecca Cole, CEO of Victim Assistance Program, to talk about how employers can support team members facingtrauma, violence, loss and other life-altering events. Rebecca shares practical insights on creating psychologically safe workplaces, responding to crises with compassion and connecting employees to critical resources.
Learn more at victimassistanceprogram.org
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Child care isn't just a family issue, it's an economic issue. In this episode, host Steve Millard sitsdown with Liz Hibbs (Early Childhood Education Alliance), Ricardo Henriquez (Shift Work Forward),and Emily Lundgaard (Elevate Greater Akron) to explore how child care impacts employeeretention, workforce participation, and business growth. From innovative employer-supportedchild care programs to statewide advocacy efforts, the conversation highlights what Greater Akronemployers can do tosupport working families while strengthening the workforce of the future.Hereare a few ways employers can help move this work forward:Advocate for policy and funding changes: Join the Groundwork Ohio Business Coalition:groundworkohio.org/businessesCollect and share data:Quantify the impact of child care on your workforce.Join our Task Force:Help shape Greater Akron's child care solutions. Contact EmilyLundgard:elundgard@greaterakronchamber.orgExplore existing employee support programs:Explore tax credits, 211, ERN, and financialempowerment programs
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What got a company to its current stage of growth often isn't what will get it to the next one. Recorded live at the Greater Akron Chamber's inaugural Business Growth Symposium on June 12, 2026, this conversation examines how leaders transition from founder-driven operations to scalable businesses. Led by Steve Wilt, Principal and Financial Advisor at CAPTRUST, panelists Dwayne Groll (Environmental Design Group) and Rachel Phillips (Fully Accountable) discuss the systems, leadership structures, and decision-making frameworks that support sustained growth. They also share how they expanded their leadership capacity, developed teams that could operate independently, and built organizations positioned for long-term growth beyond the founder. 
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