2025 Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel
Jim Tressel, Ohio’s Lt. Governor since February 2025, is a longtime leader in education and workforce development. He previously served as president of Youngstown State University, where he oversaw major improvements in student success and campus growth. A former executive at the University of Akron and a proud graduate of Baldwin-Wallace and the University of Akron, Tressel brings decades of experience guiding young people toward opportunity—including a distinguished coaching career that included national championships at both Youngstown State and The Ohio State University.
Full Bio Link: Lt. Governor Jim Tressel | Governor Mike DeWine
Keynote Speaker
Sam Goodwin
Sam Goodwin is an American entrepreneur, bestselling author and international keynote speaker known for his thought leadership on embracing uncertainty. A former Division I hockey player, Sam co-founded a tech company and NGO in Singapore and is one of the few people to have traveled to all 193 countries in the world. His book, Saving Sam, recounts his experience of being taken hostage and wrongfully imprisoned in Syria. Sam speaks to audiences worldwide, from large corporate events to intimate leadership retreats, inspiring others to embrace challenges with resilience. He holds a bachelor’s from Niagara University, a master’s from Washington University in St. Louis and a doctorate from Johns Hopkins SAIS.
Breakout Speakers
Mike Bell
Mike is the former Mayor of Toledo 2010-2013, former State Fire Marshal - State of Ohio, former Toledo Fire Chief and first African American, as well as the youngest person ever to lead the department. He has served multiple community-related civic organizations, volunteering his time and serving on such boards as the Boys & Girls Club, Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts of America, and Salvation Army just to mention a few.
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Bryan Blair
Bryan B. Blair is a nationally respected college athletics leader known for combining enterprise leadership, cutting-edge innovation, and elite program-building to drive transformational outcomes. Appointed in 2022, Blair serves as Vice President and Director of Athletics at the University of Toledo, where he has led a bold and comprehensive modernization of Rocket Athletics—marked by record-breaking revenue generation, championship success, strategic brand elevation, and a deep commitment to student-athlete outcomes. In 2024, he was named to the prestigious Sports Business Journal Forty Under 40 list, affirming his standing as one of the most influential and future-ready leaders in sports and entertainment.
As the 14th Director of Athletics in school history—and the youngest FBS AD in the country at the time of his hire—Blair has redefined Toledo’s trajectory. Under his leadership, Toledo has delivered one of the most dominant competitive runs in the country. The Rockets have won 13 Mid-American Conference championships—more than the previous decade combined—since his arrival and became the first FBS school in history to win outright conference titles in football, men's basketball, women's basketball, women's cross country, women's tennis and men's tennis in the same academic year. In total, Toledo secured six MAC titles in 2022–23 and five more in 2023–24, including championships in cross country, tennis, football and basketball. The program also made history by capturing the Cartwright Award as the MAC’s top overall athletics program three consecutive times and sweeping both the Reese (men’s) and Jacoby (women’s) trophies for the first time in school history in 2023–24.
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In 2024–25 alone, Toledo hosted more than 930 events, drew over 450,000 fans and visitors to campus venues, and shattered its all-time fundraising record. Blair’s leadership has elevated Toledo into a nationally visible, enterprise-level program—blending data, innovation, and community to achieve results at scale.
Brandon Hawkins
Entering his fifth season with the Toledo Walleye and sixth in professional hockey, Brandon Hawkins is a natural leader on and off the ice. He joined the Walleye for 2021-2022 season, and since then has claimed numerous franchise records, including but not limited to total goals, power play goals, game winning goals and shots. For the past two seasons, he has served as assistant captain for the team. He has helped lead the Walleye to four playoff appearances and two Kelly Cup Finals.
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Brandon is a three-time ECHL All-Star and served as captain for the 2023-24 All-Star team. He has been the league’s top scorer for the past two seasons and was named Most Valuable Player each year. He is one of only two ECHL players to receive this honor two years in a row. Prior to joining the Walleye, he won the 2021 Kelly Cup with the Fort Wayne Komets.
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Brandon played collegiately for Bowling Green State University and Northeastern University. Originally from Macomb, Michigan, Brandon now calls Toledo home year-round. He lives in the area with his wife and son. In his spare time, he enjoys giving back to the community by teaching youth hockey and supporting causes like Acoustics for Autism.
Jake Hoffman SFS '08
Jake Hoffman is a Private with the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department, currently assigned to Rescue Squad 7. A 2008 graduate of St. Francis de Sales, he also works in the TFRD’s Homeland Security/Special Operations Bureau, where he handles technical rescues and hazardous materials incidents and training.
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He is also a team manager for Ohio Task Force 1, a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue team. In this role, Jake has deployed to major disasters, such as hurricanes and the 2021 Surfside, Florida building collapse.
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Jake holds a bachelor's degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is an alumnus of the Naval Postgraduate School. In 2014, he co-founded Squad 5 Fire Training, LLP. where he serves as co-owner and lead instructor. He frequently instructs both locally and nationally on topics including firefighting, technical rescue, and HAZMAT/Weapons of Mass Destruction response for diverse audiences, ranging from small fire departments to the FBI and Department of Defense.
Fr. Joseph Krupp
Fr Joseph J Krupp was ordained to the priesthood twenty six years ago in the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan by Bishop Carl Mengeling.
His numerous assignments have included multiple parishes, as well as serving and teaching at Lansing Catholic High School and Michigan State University, Director of Campus Ministry at Michigan State University and Chaplain for MSU Football and the East Lansing Police Department.
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Fr Joe currently serves Bishop Earl Boyea as Pastor of Church of the Holy Family parish and school in Grand Blanc and St Mark parish in Goodrich as well as Regional Dean.. His nationally syndicated monthly column for Faith Catholic and his weekly podcasts and livestreams allow him to teach and serve a virtual following that spans the globe.
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He holds degrees from University of Michigan and Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
Col. Buck Kozlowski SFS '00
Buck graduated in the class of 2000 from St. Francis de Sales High School, earning two varsity letters in hockey and serving as a team captain his senior year. After departing SFS, Buck attended the United States Air Force Academy, earning four varsity letters on the hockey team enroute to a Bachelor’s in Management Science, a minor in German, and a commission as an officer in the USAF in 2004.
Since receiving his commission, Buck has served in multiple flying and staff assignments including commanding the 21st Special Operations Squadron. He is a command pilot with 3,400 flying hours in various aircraft, including the T-6, T-44, C-130E/H, C-208, MV-22A, and CV-22B. Buck has served multiple overseas tours and deployed extensively in support of combat and humanitarian operations.
Buck holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from National Defense University. He currently serves at the Pentagon as an analyst for the Secretary of Defense’s Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office.
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Claire Mitchell
Claire Mitchell is the Weekday Morning Anchor and Multi Media Journalist for 13abc in Toledo. She's also a proud Bowling Green State University alumna, graduating in 2024. Mitchell was nominated for the Toledo 20 Under 40 Award in 2025.
Kevin Mullan
Kevin P. Mullan, founder of KPM Consulting, has worked in marketing, development, journalism and sales across the non-profit, for-profit and broadcast media industries.
Having spent most of his career in NW Ohio, Kevin knows not only how to get the job done, but who to call when the project needs a little extra nudge.
As a Certified Fundraising Executive, Kevin has spent the majority of his career "selling nothing for something" and keeping donors and prospective donors engaged and moving through the donor pipeline.
One former colleague of Kevin's once said, "He doesn't just think outside the box, he takes the box apart, and rebuilds a better box than you ever knew was possible."
In addition to KPM Consulting, Kevin is also the owner of Tapped419, the PA Announcer for the University of Toledo and co-host of The Four Hundred & Nineteen podcast.
Dione D. Somerville, ED.D.
Dr. Dione D. Somerville, ED.D., a visionary in higher education, has dedicated her career to meeting students where they are—offering them personalized learning experiences, a strong sense of belonging, and comprehensive support. Currently serving as the eighth president of Owens Community College in northwest Ohio, Dr. Somerville has made an indelible impact since taking the helm in 2021.
Her leadership has propelled Owens Community College toward its goal of becoming a vital economic driver in the region. By connecting people to industry through targeted education and training, Dr. Somerville has championed initiatives such as the creation of the college’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, the rollout of the Strategic Enrollment Management Plan, and the founding of the Center to Advance Manufacturing—a groundbreaking collaboration between Owens, Bowling Green State University, and the University of Findlay. With the Board of Trustees and the support of the Owens team, her collaborative leadership achieved the vision, financing and completion of the $31.3 million Healthcare Education Center; a 86,500 SF space housing the School of Nursing and Health Professions. The Interprofessional Education and Simulation Center is the facility’s highlight; a dedicated area for students in multiple healthcare disciplines to collaborate and become a highly-effective team toward improving patient outcomes. An engaging communicator, Dr. Somerville hosts the award-winning Conversations Podcast that brings a variety of leaders in education, public service, business and civic life to campus while showcasing key issues and the importance of Owens Community College in the communities it serves.
Thanks to Dr. Somerville’s vision, Owens was named one of Ohio's first College Purple Star Campuses, recognizing its exceptional support for military-affiliated students.
Beyond the campus, Dr. Somerville is engaged in her local community and the broader higher education landscape. Her commitment to advancing the region’s growth extends through her involvement and board affiliations including the Regional Growth Partnership Executive Committee and Board of Directors, the Raise the Bar Board of Directors, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees, the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) Governing Board, and the Toledo Museum of Art Board of Directors.
Dr. Somerville has received accolades in recognition of her service, including the "Difference Maker" proclamation from the Ohio House of Representatives during Black History Month, the "Woman of Service" from the Warren A.M.E. Church’s inaugural HerStory Month celebration, and she was honored with the “Trailblazer” proclamation from the Lucas County Commissioners for her exceptional leadership, vision and dedication to higher education and the communities she serves during Women’s History Month.
Her career spans strategic planning, organizational change, student success, enrollment management, community relations, and fundraising, among many other areas. Prior to Owens Community College, Dr. Somerville held several leadership positions, including Executive Vice President at Hawkeye Community College in Iowa, Vice President for Student Affairs at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, Dean of Students at Iowa State University, and Director of Enrollment Services/Registrar at Lorain County Community College in Ohio.
Dr. Somerville holds a doctorate in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University, and a bachelor’s degree in English/Writing from Ohio Northern University. She has furthered her expertise through fellowships and programs such as the EAB New Presidents Intensive, Association of Governing Boards Institute for Leadership and Governance, Harvard University’s Institute for Education Management, and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ Millennium Leadership Institute. Additionally, the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program honored Dr. Somerville as one of the 26 leaders selected for the 2022-2023 New Presidents Fellowship.
Kate Sommerfeld
Kate Sommerfeld is an experienced and nationally recognized nonprofit and philanthropy executive. A passionate community champion, Kate has more than fifteen years of experience leading organizations, fostering cross-sector collaboration, securing catalytic investment, building teams and delivering organizational growth.
Sommerfeld currently serves as the President and CEO of Greater Toledo Community Foundation. Through its five decades of service, the Community Foundation has been trusted to distribute more than $310 million in grants to Toledo area nonprofits and beyond. The Community Foundation now holds more than 1,000 funds and approximately $510 million in assets with the goal of creating a better community for generations to come.
Prior to joining the Foundation, Kate was a strategic advisor to private and public foundations and organizations on corporate giving, community partnerships and philanthropy. Prior to consulting, Kate served as the President of The National Social Determinants of Health Institute and Corporate Vice President of Community Relations and Social Investment at ProMedica. At ProMedica, Kate led change initiatives to drive capital in under-resourced urban and rural communities, reduce health disparities, and increase wealth in historically disinvested neighborhoods. Kate is active on numerous boards for local and national nonprofit organizations.
Kate’s leadership has been recognized nationally through various awards including American Hospital Association’s Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service, U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary's Opportunity & Empowerment Award, and Top Healthcare Innovation and Modern Healthcare’s 2020 Top 25 Emerging Leaders.
Kate has dual B.A. degrees in political science and child psychology from Purdue University and a Master of Public Administration degree, with a focus on Child and Family Policy, from Bowling Green State University. Kate lives in Bowling Green, Ohio with her husband Matt and two spirited, active children.
Anna Toney
Anna Toney, a Toledo native, is the Executive Director of Leadership Toledo. She first connected with the organization as a participant in its Signature program, where she discovered her passion for the nonprofit sector, the Northwest Ohio region, and celebrating all it has to offer. That passion led her to join the Leadership Toledo team and eventually step into the role of Executive Director.
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Anna holds a BA in Musical Theatre from Indiana University and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Lourdes University. She is also deeply engaged in the community, serving on the board of the Valentine Theatre, leading as President of the Beverly Elementary PTO, and previously serving on the board of Notre Dame Academy.
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At home in Toledo, Anna and her husband, Kevan (SFS Alum 04!), keep busy raising their four children and staying active in the community they love.
Kevan Toney SFS '04
Kevan Toney, a 2004 graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School, leads the Training Section at the Toledo Police Department, overseeing in-service training for approximately 600 officers and guiding curriculum development for the basic police academy. Since 2011, he has served in Field Operations, Public Information, Internal Affairs, and Special Operations as a full-time SWAT officer, gaining extensive experience in operations, officer development, and community engagement.
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A veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Ohio Air National Guard, Kevan holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University and has completed advanced leadership programs through the Police Executive Leadership College and Cornell University.
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He is a proud Toledoan, husband to his senior homecoming date, Anna (NDA ’04), and father of four.
Pat Trompeter
Pat Trompeter is the founder of Erie Construction, now Erie Home. Founded in 1982, when he was 25, Pat transformed the company from a local aluminum siding business with a single office into a national enterprise with 60 offices across 19 states and the District of Columbia. Today it is the largest residential roofing company in the United States. As the Toledo Blade noted, Pat is “widely recognized as a pioneer in the highly-competitive home improvement industry.”
Pat believes strong relationships are the key to a successful enterprise; relationships that build camaraderie and commitment from the team and trust from customers. Among his professional achievements are the Home Improvement Legend Award, and being a finalist of Ernst and Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
While the company he founded grew from its Midwest roots, Pat has remained committed to supporting the Northwest Ohio community, taking the tools he learned in business and applying them to philanthropy. After selling Erie Construction in 2021, he launched a family foundation.
In addition to quietly offering beneficial organizations time and financial support, he is especially committed to helping organizations attract other investors and supporters to achieve long-term stability and the ability to grow and further serve the community. In 2023 he was named “Philanthropist of the Year” by ProMedica.
When he is not engaged with his foundation work, Pat enjoys relaxing with golf and pickle ball. Of all of his accomplishments, Pat's greatest source of pride is his family, including four daughters and five grandchildren.
Master of Ceremonies
Clint Longenecker, Ph.D.
Clinton Oliver Longenecker, Ph.D., an award-winning educator, is one of “America’s leaders in creating high performance leaders and organizations” and is a Distinguished University Professor of Leadership Excellence Emeritus of The College of Business and Innovation at The University of Toledo.
His teaching, research and consulting interests are in high performance leadership and creating great organizations. He has been the recipient of over sixty (60) outstanding teaching, service and research awards and numerous industry awards including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Toastmasters International Leadership Award, The Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service, and numerous “Best Professor” recognitions. In addition, he has also been recently recognized by The Economist as one of the Top Fifteen Business Professors in the World. In 2017, Clint was recognized as one of the top three University Professors in the USA as a Finalist for Baylor University’s Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching and as one of the top thirty (30) “transformational leaders” in America by The John Maxwell Organization.
He has published over 200 articles and papers in leading academic and professional journals including the Sloan Management Review, Industrial Management, Business Horizons, European Business Review, and Organizational Dynamics among others. He is a frequent media source and his research has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Investor’s Business Daily, MSNBC, NPR, and a wide variety of media outlets. Clint is also a critically acclaimed professor in The Great Courses Critical Business Skills Series – Organizational Behavior Course released in 2015. His newest book, The Successful Career Survival Guide is a chronicle of best practices and key research findings designed to help readers improve their personal effectiveness and career trajectory. He is also the co-author of two best-selling leadership books, Getting Results: Five Absolutes for High Performance and Two-Minute Drill: Lessons for Rapid Organizational Improvement from America’s Greatest Game.
Clint is an active management consultant, educator, and executive coach whose clients include a wide variety of Fortune 500 firms and entrepreneurial organizations including: Harley-Davidson, ConAgra, SSOE, ProMedica Health Systems, Whirlpool, Eaton Corporation, Cooper Tire, Dana Corporation, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and O-I Inc. among others. Clint has been described by Career Publications as, “one of the top motivational speakers in the U.S. who can blend cutting edge research, common sense, humor and conviction into a real and inspiring call for better performance that can help us all!”
Dr. Longenecker has also served as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of the West Indies Barbados and has also lectured extensively in Poland, Hungary, and Russia. He holds a B.B.A. in marketing, an M.B.A. in management, both from the University of Toledo, and a Ph.D. in management from The Pennsylvania State University.
Clint is an active community servant, a committed member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, and an active Bible study leader and Christian speaker. He has spent extensive time working in the country of Haiti managing missionary school and hospital construction projects. Clint is very happily married to the former Cindy Breese, and they have three children: Clinton Charles, Shannon Marie, and Stephen Lorenzo.​