CEOs You Should Know - Cleveland

William Wappler is a visionary in technology, innovation, and AI. William’s focus is on managing the rapid growth of Surgere, while supporting a strong organizational culture and exemplifying our core values.  He has over 20 years of experience in directing and executing technology strategy and financial growth for global Fortune 500 companies.

Previously, as President of a leading software company in California, where he led the business in automating production control.  William earned a combined degree from the University of Illinois and Illinois State and holds an MBA from Northwestern University. 

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Grace Gallucci is the Executive Director for the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for greater Cleveland, responsible for transportation and environmental planning, as well as resource allocation in the five county region. She has held this post since 2012.
Ms. Gallucci has more than 30 years of finance and planning experience in the field of transportation. Her prior posts include working for the Chicago Regional Transportation Authority where she held the titles of Deputy Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, responsible for the Finance and Performance Management functions, as well as those of the department of Research, Analysis and Policy Development. She also held the positions of Director, Office of Management & Budget and Director of Finance for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. She started her career in transportation as an analyst for the Office of Transportation, Broward County, Florida, working on both highways and mass transit issues.
Ms. Gallucci has been an adjunct professor at Cleveland State University, Kent State University, the University of Illinois at Chicago and Northwestern University, teaching courses in public finance, economics, public policy and transportation management. Ms. Gallucci holds a Master of Science in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University, and both a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Dayton.
Ms. Gallucci has been the chair of the Northeast Ohio Sustainability Communities Consortium (Vibrant NEO2040) since 2013, receiving the Daniel Burnham Award for best comprehensive plan from the American Planning Association, its highest honor, in 2015.
She is active in various professional organizations including the National Association of Regional Councils. She has served on research panels for the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies of Science and has been appointed by former US Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to serve on its Transportation Review Advisory Committee for Safety. She has received many honors including being named one of Crain’s Business “40 under 40”, and receiving the distinguished alumni award from Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs.

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Al DiFranco proudly serves as President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland. Prior to becoming President of JAGC in July 2022, Al was the organization’s Vice President for Development and Programs for four years.

Under Al’s leadership, JA of Greater Cleveland has significantly increased its financial resources, expanded its student reach, and recently began a multi-million campaign to create the Junior Achievement Experiential Learning Center in Downtown Cleveland. In 2025, JA of Greater Cleveland will also host JA’s National Leadership Conference for the first time.
Al previously served as Director of the MBA Program at Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management and President and CEO of the Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce.

Al received his Master’s in Higher Education Leadership from Capella University, Certificate in Leadership from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Baldwin-Wallace College (now Baldwin Wallace University).

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Todd Stein CEO of Brunswick Companies proudly announces the appointment of Michelle Hirsch and Rachel Weinberg as Co-Presidents marking a pivotal moment in the company's evolution as a third-generation family-owned, independent insurance and risk management firm providing commercial, professional, personal insurance, and surety bonds.

This evolution reflects Brunswick's unwavering commitment to remaining independent while positioning the firm as an employer of choice that pairs high-touch, personalized service with innovative technology solutions.

In their new roles, Michelle and Rachel will leverage their complementary strengths through a clear division of responsibilities. Both leaders have risen through Brunswick's ranks to shape key areas of the business. Michelle will drive strategic vision and growth initiatives for the company, building upon her success in transforming Brunswick Private Client. Rachel will focus on operational excellence and infrastructure, drawing from her extensive risk management and commercial insurance expertise to enhance Brunswick's service delivery and team development. 

"As a father and business leader, I'm incredibly proud to see Michelle and Rachel step into these roles," said Todd Stein, who will continue to serve as CEO. "They've earned this opportunity through decades of dedication to our clients and team. Their partnership ensures Brunswick will continue to thrive while staying true to our family values and independent spirit."

Leadership Experience Michelle brings over 20 years of experience at Brunswick Companies, having founded Brunswick Private Client, a division dedicated to managing risk for high-net-worth individuals and family offices. Michelle holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management and the Certified Advisor in Personal Insurance (CAPI) designation from The Wharton School of Business and Chubb Insurance.

Rachel has 19 years of insurance expertise, specializing in commercial risk management since graduating from the University of Hartford with a degree in Risk Management. She has been instrumental in turning Brunswick's commercial division into a powerhouse serving diverse industries, including real estate and manufacturing.

Both Michelle and Rachel are sought-after speakers at national insurance industry events and serve on multiple non-profit boards, demonstrating their commitment to both professional excellence and community involvement.

Under their joint leadership, Brunswick Companies stands ready to transform the insurance experience while staying true to its founding purpose -- protecting what matters most to its clients. "Having worked alongside Michelle and Rachel for many years, I've had the privilege of watching them develop into the leaders they are today," said Lew Patrick, Chief Financial Officer. "Their complementary abilities and shared commitment to Brunswick's success give me complete confidence in the road ahead."

Vision for Innovation and Growth The sisters step into their leadership roles with complementary strengths and a shared vision. "In an industry that often feels impersonal, showing the love to our clients is what sets Brunswick apart," said Michelle. "We're committed to combining cutting-edge operations with the personal touch and genuine relationships that have always made Brunswick special." "We're investing in our people and technology to create an even stronger future," said Rachel. "By streamlining our operations, we're empowering our team to focus on what they do best — delivering the exceptional service experiences that define Brunswick." 

Brunswick Companies Founded in 1972, Brunswick Companies is a third-generation, family-owned independent insurance agency serving clients nationwide. With a commitment to "Insuring the world you love and everything in it,"...

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Lisa Giganti Chief Executive Officer at Lumina Imaging and Diagnostics. Lisa Giganti is a dynamic leader with extensive experience in strategic planning, innovation, and financial management. As the Chief Executive Officer of Lumina Imaging and Diagnostics, Lisa is at the forefront of transforming and disrupting the medical imaging landscape. Her work focuses on developing strategic partnerships and shared risk/reward ventures to enhance access to quality medical imaging while upholding the highest standards of care and exceptional patient experience.   Prior to Lumina, Lisa was a Managing Principal in Strategy and Innovations at The MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio where she was responsible for identifying, prioritizing, developing, and executing strategic initiatives in alignment with the organization’s mission. Her approach included data-driven analyses and process assessments to improve and expand medical services such as Bariatric Surgery, Radiology, and Breast Health.

Lisa’s career began in finance spanning a variety of disciplines in the rental car and hospitality industries for both large corporations and start-ups. She then pivoted to banking for 10 years in progressively advanced roles as a Business Performance Improvement Consultant, Retail Banking Controller and Corporate Banking CFO at National City Corporation / PNC Bank.   Ultimately, Lisa found her calling in healthcare, aligning her passion for health and wellness with her strong business acumen.  She served as a Senior Project Manager in Strategic Financial Planning at Cleveland Clinic, honing her skills in financial strategy and large-scale project management.   Lisa earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Finance and Economics from John Carroll University and later obtained her Master of Business Administration from Cleveland State University, concentrating in Finance and Management.   Lisa’s diverse background and strategic mindset have established her as an effective leader able to drive growth and innovation in the healthcare, financial services, and hospitality sectors.

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Craig Dorn, President and CEO, joined Y.O.U. in 1989. Craig has headed operations, programs and strategic planning throughout his Y.O.U. career. In addition, he has led efforts to create a culture that gathers and uses data to drive decision making. These efforts led to Y.O.U. being recognized by the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation as one of only 13 organizations nation-wide selected for its PropelNext initiative. He has also built numerous partnerships and collaborations with schools, community-based organizations, municipalities, and faith-based institutions to help Y.O.U. realize its vision of a greater community working together to ensure every young person is ready to pursue a path to economic self-sufficiency. Under Craig’s tenure Y.O.U. has been named a best place to work in Northeast Ohio in 2023 and 2024.

Craig has served on several committees and Boards including the United Way Vision Council on Strong Families/Successful Children; Cuyahoga County Workforce Investment Act Youth Council; a member of the Bowling Green State University Honors College Advisory Council and Adoption Network Cleveland, where he served a term as Vice Chair. Currently he serves as Secretary of the Literacy Cooperative Board; a member of ReSource Cle Board of Directors and the Cuyahoga Community College Workforce Board of Visitors. Craig is a graduate of the Leadership Cleveland Civic Leadership Institute and is a member of the 2022 Leadership Cleveland class. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and an M.S. in education from Syracuse University.

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Andrew M. McRae is a passionate and experienced educator, public speaker, and transformational leader with over 16 years of serving in underserved communities in Houston, Tulsa, and Cleveland. As the founding Chief Academic Officer for Breakthrough Public Schools (BPS), one of the highest-rated networks of tuition-free, public charter schools in Cleveland, Ohio, he is responsible for setting academic vision and strategy, managing data and analytics, revising the curriculum, devising instruction tools, and overseeing all student services.

Andrew's purpose is deeply rooted in building enduring systems of excellence for African-American students and transforming organizations to empower communities. He holds a Master's in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas and a Principal certification from the Texas Education Agency. He is skilled in strategic planning, budget management, operational improvement, instructional design, educational assessment, project management, curriculum development, and staff training and leadership. He is also enthusiastic about permission-less learning models that allow students to be the drivers of their learning and reignite their imaginations.

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Augustine “AJ” Wadian is the Co-Founder and CEO of Premier Home Pros, a home improvement company projected to hit $180 million in revenue by 2025. AJ sparked the idea for the company, launching it with his partners and closing their first sale within three days. He’s passionate about scaling smart, aligning sales, marketing, and installation through systems-driven leadership.

Noah Jackson is the Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Premier Home Pros, a fast-growing home improvement company projected to hit $180 million in revenue by 2025. With a background in sales, Noah helped lead the company from launch to $100 million in just two years. He’s all about building smart systems, scaling sustainably, and keeping people at the center of growth

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Michael Sirpilla is a co-founder and CEO of Society Brands Inc., a tech-enabled consumer products company headquartered in Canton, Ohio that acquires e-commerce native brands. Society Brands recently raised $205MM for acquisition financing, one of the largest early stage raises in Ohio’s history. He has primarily focused on organic growth throughout his career. Prior to starting Society Brands, he founded a financial services wholesale agency with 40 direct reports and built it to a multi-million-dollar business. He also partnered in a population health management business and scaled it from $0 to $150MM in revenue within five years.

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Jeff Beck is a distinguished leader in the home improvement industry, known for driving innovation, operational excellence, and sustained growth. His career began at Leaf Home Solutions, where he rose through the ranks to become CEO. Under his leadership, the company expanded into the world’s largest provider of gutter protection with LeafFilter. Beck spearheaded the integration of advanced technology and data-driven strategies, organically launching Leaf Home Safety Solutions (aging in place) and Leaf Home Water Solutions (residential water treatment) while building Leaf Home Enhancements (traditional home renovation) through strategic acquisitions. His leadership propelled Leaf Home from under $100 million to over $1.4 billion in just four years.

As President and CEO of Window Nation, Beck continues to redefine industry standards, fostering a culture of innovation and resilience. His strategic vision has positioned Window Nation for sustained success, even in dynamic economic conditions. A proven leader in building high-performing teams, Beck is committed to identifying new opportunities for expansion and leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance customer experience and business operations.

A graduate of Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Beck combines deep industry expertise with a forward-thinking approach to business transformation. Beyond his corporate leadership, he remains an engaged member of the community and an advocate for progress within the home improvement sector. Under his direction, Window Nation continues to thrive, solidifying its status as a leader in the industry.

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