Dreamers, Drivers, Doers

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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Ep. 183 (publish 10/6/2026)Title:When the Workplace Faces Trauma, What Should Employers Do?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 facing trauma, 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:[email protected]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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For companies in growth mode, growth gets harder—not because opportunities disappear, but because there are too many directions to pursue. Recorded live at the Greater Akron Chamber's inaugural Business Growth Symposium on June 12, 2026, this conversation explores how leaders identify the right path forward. Moderated by Jessica Sublett, CEO of Bounce Innovation Hub, panelists Lori Colagiovanni (Disinfection Management Technology), Jason Therrien (Thunder Tech), and Vince Venditti (Premier Home Pros) share how leveraging adjacencies, expanding into new markets, strengthening customer relationships, and making strategic investments can unlock sustainable growth and reveal where the next opportunity may be hiding. 

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Building a great company requires more than a great idea—it takes discipline, focus, and relentless curiosity. Building on insights shared at the Greater Akron Chamber's inaugural Business Growth Symposium, Steve Millard talks with Breeze Airways Founder and CEO David Neeleman, the serial entrepreneur behind JetBlue, WestJet, Azul, and more, about the realities of scaling successful companies. Neeleman shares lessons on building teams, preserving culture, managing risk, and leading through increasing complexity, along with his "Most Important Now" approach to focusing on the priorities that matter most. Along the way, he offers practical insights on empowering people, driving innovation, and creating momentum that lasts.  

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Alison Matas-Smith knows how Gen-Z works. Through her role as the AVP of Communications and Talent Development at Schauer Group, she develops a robust internship program at the insurance firm all year round. In this conversation with Steve Millard, Alison shares her experience working closely with college-aged interns and how creating a meaningful internship program has helped the company recruit and retain great talent. Together, Steve and Allison discuss Gen-Z’s changing work perspectives, and how your organization can prepare to welcome them to the workforce. 

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Every growth story has a side that people don’t see. Recorded live at the Greater Akron Chamber's inaugural Business Growth Symposium on June 12, 2026, this conversation explores the realities behind scaling a successful company. Moderated by Chuck Mullen, Partner and Great Lakes Market Leader at Eide Bailly LLP, panelists Rachel Mack (Staffing Solutions Enterprises), Jeff Kline (Robert J Events & Catering / Fun Services), and Mac Anderson (Cleveland Kitchen) pull back the curtain on the challenges that don't show up in metrics or case studies—from tough people decisions and internal misalignment to burnout, tradeoffs, and moments of uncertainty.

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Growth-stage companies don’t usually struggle because they lack talent—they struggle because they’ve built the wrong structure at the wrong time or failed to evolve their culture as the business grows. Recorded live at the Greater Akron Chamber’s inaugural Business Growth Symposium on June 12, 2026, this special episode brings together leaders who share what growing companies get right, where they often stumble, and how to build teams and cultures that can scale successfully. Moderated by Jeanne Coughlin, President of The Coughlin Group, panelists Krista Gesaman (Aeration Septic Inc.), Mike Milby (Ratliff & Company), and Chrissy Myers (AUI/Clarity HR) explore how to align people, processes, and culture with the next stage of growth—and how leaders can position their organizations for long-term success. 

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