2021-2022 Board of Directors
OFFICERS
Please Click Pictures for Board Member Bios
Vice President
Vice Provost for Student Pathways & Dean of Williams Honors College
The University of Akron
Secretary
Assistant Vice President, Research Administration
Kent State University
DIRECTORS
Michelle Bisson
Vice President,
Marketing & Communications
Summa Health System
Benjamin Comston, Esq.
Director of Operations,
Workforce Management
Genesis Financial Solutions
Anita L. Davis, Esq.
Attorney at Law
Past PGA Board President
Bradley Dunn, Esq.
Attorney at Law
The Law Firm of
Bradley S.S. Dunn
Barbara A. Feld
Emeritus
Executive Director
Tuesday Musical Association
Cheryl Goliath, PhD
Executive Director, Medical Education and Research
Cleveland Clinic Akron General
Annie Hanson Hilaire
Director of Community Relations and Engagement
The University of Akron
April Jefferson
Senior Communications Representative
FirstEnergy Service Company
Dana K. LaGarde
Retired Lead
Project Manager, AT&T
Past PGA Board President
Ellen McWilliams-Woods, Ph. D.
Chief Academic Officer/ Assistant Superintendent
Akron Public Schools
Diane Miller-Dawson
Director of Community and Economic Development,
County of Summit
Ann Otto, Ph. D.
Retired Associate
Vice President
NEOMED
Charles Parnell
Marketing / Membership
Growth Consultant
Dedicated Senior Medical Center
Thomas L. Peeples, Jr.
Sr. Manager Lean Operations,
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Brian R.E. Simmons, Esq.
Associate
McDonald Hopkins
Clarence Tucker
Fire Chief,
Akron Fire Department
City of Akron
Pamela R. Valentine
Community Volunteer
Past PGA Board President
Debbie Walsh
Clerk of Courts
Akron Municipal Court
The Honorable
Annalisa S. Williams
Judge
Akron Municipal Court
EX OFFICIO
Christine Fowler-Mack
Superintendent of Schools
Akron Public Schools
Jacqueline A. Silas-Butler, Esq.
Executive Director
Project GRAD Akron
Presidents of the Project GRAD Akron’s Board of Directors
Vivian Celeste Neal
2002
(Interim Director to establish the non-profit status)
Robert Kulinski
2002 - 2004
Jocelyn McClendon
2004 - 2007
Jean Van Ness, Esq.
2007 - 2009
Danielle Kimmell, CPA
2009 - 2012
Bennett Gaines
2012 - 2013
Anita L. Davis, Esq.
2013 - 2015
Dana K. LaGarde
2015 - 2018
Pamela R. Valentine
2018 - 2020
Martin H. Belsky, Esq.
7/1/2020 -