Healthy communities are not built by chance—they are built through shared vision, trusted partnerships, and sustained investment in people. At Trailhead, we believe community health improves when leaders across sectors align around shared purpose and act boldly to expand opportunity and access. This month’s update reflects that belief in action, as we continue building a foundation that will create lasting, measurable impact for the five-county region we serve.
That commitment to collaboration is guiding how Trailhead is organizing for impact, beginning with the intentional development of our governance and leadership structures.
Translating vision into action requires strong, informed leadership. We are moving forward in activating board committees comprised of the following exceptional leaders representing multiple counties, sectors, and areas of expertise:
- Chuck Alderson | Medina County | Retired Chief Financial Officer, Barberton Citizens Hospital and Direction Home Akron Canton
- Dan Calvin | Medina County | Attorney, Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnson
- Chad Oviatt | Medina County | Chief Investment Officer, First National Bank Corporation
- Alliyha Taylor‑Whetstone | Medina County | Associate Manager, Progressive Insurance; Owner, Whet’s Mobile Car Wash LLC and Impact Trainers LLC
- Krista Wasowski | Medina County | Health Commissioner, Medina County Health Department
- Roxia Boykin, RN | Portage County | Retired Vice President, Community Benefit and Diversity, Summa Health
- Michelle Evancho‑Chapman | Portage County | Senior Research Associate, Summa Health
- Lacey Madison | Portage County | Vice President for Strategy and Transformation, NEOMED
- Jack McCabe | Portage County | Vice President and General Manager, Davey Resource Group, Inc.
- Juan‑Paulo B. Afable, RN | Stark County | Chief Executive Officer, My Community Health Center
- Adrian Allison | Stark County | Chief Relationship Officer, Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Michael Groff | Stark County | Senior Manager, External Reporting, The Timken Company
- Fonda Williams | Stark County | Chief Operating Officer, Economic and Community Development Institute
- Michael Chisnell | Summit County | Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Bruton Chisnell Advisors
- Michael McClary | Summit County | Chief Investment Officer, Valmark Financial Group
- George Schmutz | Summit County | Chief Executive Officer, Traxium
- Laura Shank | Summit County | Principal and Grant Writer, Gifted Nonprofit Solutions
- Pam Williams | Summit County | Community Volunteer
- Alanna Costello | Wayne County | Senior Director, Finance, The J.M. Smucker Co.
- Sara Reith | Wayne County | Founder and Executive Director, OHuddle Inc.
- Mark Yoder | Wayne County | Executive Director, Viola Startzman Clinic
As our governance framework takes shape, we are also strengthening the internal capacity needed to sustain growth, deepen relationships, and expand our impact. As part of this effort, I selected Julie Weagraff to serve as Trailhead’s inaugural Chief Development Officer.
Julie brings more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, with deep expertise in fundraising strategy, relationship development, and organizational growth.
Most recently, Julie served as Chief Development Officer at Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, where she provided strategic direction for all fund development activities and led efforts to raise more than $3 million annually.
She also guided successful capital campaigns for the Vivian von Gruenigen, MD STEM Center of Excellence and the Jane Norton Girl Scout DreamLab, securing multiple seven‑figure gifts and cultivating strong public‑ and private‑sector partnerships.
Earlier in her career, Julie held senior development roles at Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, Case Western Reserve University, and the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges.
With strong governance and leadership in place, we are now turning our focus to the future. I am pleased to share that Trailhead has launched a comprehensive strategic planning process, supported by Building for Mission. This process will engage our board, staff, donors, and community partners to clarify direction, set priorities, and define the actions needed to drive meaningful improvements in community health. We anticipate completing the plan by late summer and will continue to share updates along the way.
While structure and strategy are essential, community health ultimately comes to life through people—professionals and volunteers whose care and commitment make a difference every day. In recognition of National Nurses Week, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to nurses who serve our communities through telehealth, clinics, hospitals, public health departments, and long‑term care settings.
We enjoyed learning more about the nursing and allied health programs to help employers fill in-demand jobs.
I am especially thankful to Juan‑Paulo Afable, Roxia Boykin, Michelle Evancho‑Chapman, Mary Jo Goss, and Mark Yoder for volunteering their time and expertise to help position Trailhead for long‑term impact. I also extend appreciation to Kent State University, Stark State, and The University of Akron for providing nursing education that ensures a strong pipeline of skilled professionals to meet current and future community needs.
As Trailhead continues to grow, our work remains rooted in a simple but powerful truth: healthier lives begin where commitment meets collaboration. The progress highlighted this month—strong governance, experienced leadership, strategic planning, and dedicated volunteers—would not be possible without partners who share our belief that community health is essential to community prosperity.
Thank you for your leadership, generosity, and confidence in what we are building together. With your continued support, we will empower individuals to thrive today while strengthening healthier communities for generations to come.