The following story, "Together in Transformation: It's Working," was published in Growth Report 2021 as the cover story of the publication. This story is read by the author, Dan O'Brien, and is presented here for your convenience. Thank you and please enjoy "Together in Transformation."

Youngstown Publishing Company CEO Jeff Leo Herrmann speaks with Jennifer Oddo, executive director of strategic workforce education and innovation (SWEI) at Youngstown State University.

The YSU Center for Strategic Workforce Education and Innovation is focused on developing new approaches to close the skills and opportunity gaps for our communities.

The Brain Gain Youngstown Leadership Series podcast features weekly interviews with business and community leaders who are driving change and making an impact. Through a conversational format with leaders, we’ll learn who and what inspired their success. Also, how they’re inspiring others to remove challenges and roadblocks. We’ll learn about their insights on leadership and how they’re leading the transformation of the region and its people.

Youngstown Publishing Company CEO Jeff Leo Herrmann speaks with Ted Schmidt, Regional President for PNC Bank.

In this podcast, Schmidt discusses his path to leadership in the banking industry, and the advice he offers to students embarking on their own professional journeys.

The Brain Gain Youngstown Leadership Series podcast features weekly interviews with business and community leaders who are driving change and making an impact. Through a conversational format with leaders, we’ll learn who and what inspired their success. Also, how they’re inspiring others to remove challenges and roadblocks. We’ll learn about their insights on leadership and how they’re leading the transformation of the region and its people.

Youngstown Publishing Company CEO Jeff Leo Herrmann speaks with Mahoning County Career and Technical Center superintendent John Zehentbauer.

In this podcast, Zehentbauer shares his insights on helping local students find their paths to employment, enrollment or enlistment.

The Brain Gain Youngstown Leadership Series podcast features weekly interviews with business and community leaders who are driving change and making an impact. Through a conversational format with leaders, we’ll learn who and what inspired their success. Also, how they’re inspiring others to remove challenges and roadblocks. We’ll learn about their insights on leadership and how they’re leading the transformation of the region and its people.

Youngstown Publishing Company CEO Jeff Leo Herrmann speaks with Rhonte Davis, executive director of the Hope Center for Cancer Care in Warren.

In this podcast, Davis shares his thoughts on trust, mentorship and how he was welcomed to the area after relocating from Texas.

The Brain Gain Youngstown Leadership Series podcast features weekly interviews with business and community leaders who are driving change and making an impact. Through a conversational format with leaders, we’ll learn who and what inspired their success. Also, how they’re inspiring others to remove challenges and roadblocks. We’ll learn about their insights on leadership and how they’re leading the transformation of the region and its people.

In this podcast, Youngstown Publishing Company CEO Jeff Leo Herrmann speaks with Traci Hostetler, superintendent of the Mahoning County Educational Service Center.

Hostetler shares details about her leadership style and how she drives the team at MCESC to fulfill their mission: helping students succeed.

The Brain Gain Youngstown Leadership Series podcast features weekly interviews with business and community leaders who are driving change and making an impact. Through a conversational format with leaders, we’ll learn who and what inspired their success. Also, how they’re inspiring others to remove challenges and roadblocks. We’ll learn about their insights on leadership and how they’re leading the transformation of the region and its people.

This is a full recording of a student panel discussion conducted in March 2020.

In this podcast, we take a look back at at what we learned from East High School students Vincent Steele, Luther Bell and Knowledge Matlock. The panel was moderated Jeremy Lydic, content manager with The Business Journal.

The students talk about their career aspirations and the special programs that are helping them reach their goals.

Editor’s Note: Student panel discussions are intended to hear honest feedback from students on their interests, aspirations and concerns. Statements made by students are their opinions and are not subjected to fact-checking or the solicitation of responses from school district leadership.

This is a full recording of a student panel discussion conducted at Brookfield Middle School in February 2020.

A lot of uncertainty can go into choosing a career, but a group of Brookfield middle school students say they’re certain jobs should be about passion and not money.

In this podcast, we take a look back at at what we learned from a panel of Brookfield students in 2020. The panel was moderated Jeremy Lydic, content manager with The Business Journal.

Students included (from left) eighth-graders Justin Budnik, Telly Hamilton and Reanna Reardon, seventh-graders Christian Davis, Yusef Rasoul and Delaney Schultz, sixth-graders Andrew Drummond and Jacob Hodge, and fifth-graders Mia D’Allessandro, Kenleigh Kurpe, Raquel Guthrie-Morton, Peter Odell and Caleb Upshir.

Editor’s Note: Student panel discussions are intended to hear honest feedback from students on their interests, aspirations and concerns. Statements made by students are their opinions and are not subjected to fact-checking or the solicitation of responses from school district leadership.

Youngstown Publishing Company CEO Jeff Leo Herrmann speaks with Dan Fernback, co-founder and CEO of JuggerBot 3D LLC.

In this podcast, Fernback shares details of his entrepreneurial journey, and gives updates on the state of the ever-evolving additive manufacturing industry.

The Brain Gain Youngstown Leadership Series podcast features weekly interviews with business and community leaders who are driving change and making an impact. Through a conversational format with leaders, we’ll learn who and what inspired their success. Also, how they’re inspiring others to remove challenges and roadblocks. We’ll learn about their insights on leadership and how they’re leading the transformation of the region and its people.

Youngstown Publishing Company CEO Jeff Leo Herrmann speaks with Chris Allen, North American Talent Acquisition Manager for Vallourec USA Corp.

In this podcast, Allen gives advice on finding the right cultural fit within a company, and explains the important role soft skills can play in "fitting in."

The Brain Gain Youngstown Leadership Series podcast features weekly interviews with business and community leaders who are driving change and making an impact. Through a conversational format with leaders, we’ll learn who and what inspired their success. Also, how they’re inspiring others to remove challenges and roadblocks. We’ll learn about their insights on leadership and how they’re leading the transformation of the region and its people.