Over the past three and a half years as program director in Akron, I have guided a steadily flowing pipeline of ideas, a cascade of creativity that enhances life here. This month, I will be leaving Knight Foundation with the confidence that Akron’s future is bright with innovation and opportunity. 

As Knight’s program director, I have worked to make our community even greater by focusing on attracting, retaining and harnessing talent as the centerpiece of our grantmaking. This has helped cultivate the emerging leaders whose enterprising ideas make me so optimistic about the city’s future as we focus on talent, opportunity and place. 

Knight’s investments are nourishing the entrepreneurial culture, and risk-takers are emerging. Recent grants for programs such as TechPint Akron and SparkAK, the upcoming startup weekend, are bringing together innovators to help them build networks that provide the mentoring and other support new ventures sorely need.

With the renaissance of cities, competition is fierce, so we must continue to win over talented people who haven’t yet committed to being part of our future. Programs such as Torchbearers’ Intern Edge and Ambassadors will help interns and job candidates see the rewards of the rich community life in Akron—from our vibrant arts community to the expanding efforts to make our city friendlier for cyclists. Adding to the effort, the Akron Art Museum is rethinking how it interacts with the community, creating free Thursdays, partnering with local cafes, and seeking input from everyday people on what it should exhibit—all to create a lively gathering place that appeals to new audiences.

When I joined Knight in 2010, I discovered that Akron’s sense of community is its most compelling attribute. Akron has long recognized that community service and engagement are essential components of successful communities. That’s why since 2011 BVU: The Center for Nonprofit Excellence has been working with Akron’s private sector to identify and encourage young talent to serve on nonprofit boards; since then BVU has connected with more than 110 people, and 19 now serve on boards. Efforts like these are helping preserve the best of Akron, while building a foundation of leadership that will last for decades.   

In an effort to make our region even more livable and welcome new visitors, leaders in Summit County and Akron’s park system have shown remarkable collaboration to create more than 125 miles of hiking, biking and water trails. In part supported by Knight, the partners and Code for America launched ToTheTrails.com in October 2013, to make it easy to digitally plan an outing to one of our many green spaces. It’s one of the many dimensions of the renewal taking place in Akron, a complement to all of our other work.

These efforts are the latest demonstration of my commitment to this region. I’ve worked for more than 10 years on initiatives that support this goal, first supporting entrepreneurial startups in Cleveland and through Knight’s work here in Akron. Now, I’m excited to see more and more private investment returning to cities, presenting new opportunities for me—and all of our residents. I have enjoyed building relationships with the many people who are committed to Akron’s future. I look forward to staying connected to Akron and to Knight’s network as we all work together to build a vibrant Northeast Ohio.