Dr James Knight with Book

Dr. James Knight
Leading with Cultural Humility

Dr. James Knight

Dr. James Knight is an educator, coach/ mentor, consultant, author, itinerant speaker/teacher, and equity and inclusion strategist. He resides near Cleveland, Ohio. Much of his work revolves around leading with humility and partnering with other leaders to build dynamic and inclusive communities/spaces where people collaborate, innovate, and engage in fearless dialogue.

As an equity and inclusion strategist, James works with leaders, schools, organizations, and individuals in the corporate, nonprofit, governmental, and academic sector to develop frameworks rooted in humility. The primary goal of this work is to assist others in building safe environments where everyone can thrive and bring their best selves. As an author, James has written three books, including his latest release, Heart: A Journey Toward Cultural Humility. This book is a manual and guide for any leader, student, or person looking to develop greater awareness and increase their emotional and cultural intelligence.

As Vice President for Equity and Inclusion at St. Edward High School, James leads the development of vision and strategies that champion the importance of a diverse and inclusive community. Part of his work involves engaging faculty, staff, students, parents, and alumni to make the school a culturally safe environment. In his role, James assesses the potential barriers to inclusion and diversity and develops strategies focused on recruiting and retaining a diverse community.

In addition to his work at St. Edward, James has served as a teacher, coach, and pastor. He is the founder and leader of I.D.E.A.S., a coalition of DEI practitioners and directors throughout Ohio. James has a passion for people and sees himself as a servant- leader. His personal mission is “education + empowerment = elevation,” and his number one goal in everything he does is to elevate those he serves through education and inspiration. He holds a Bachelor of the Arts from Oberlin College and a Master’s of Education and Doctorate of Education Leadership from Ashland University. He also holds a Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Social Justice, and Inclusion from the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.

 

Hill.jpg

Jenifer Hill '10
Leading Alongside Stress; A Unique Approach to Reducing Burnout and Increasing Resilience

Jenifer Hill '10

Jenifer (Haller) Hill, M.A., P.C.C., B.C.C., P.C.C.-S. is an International Coaching Federation (I.C.F.) Professional Certified Coach (P.C.C.), Board Certified Executive Career & Leadership Coach (B.C.C.), Certified Healthcare Coach, Professional Clinical Counselor, Supervisor (P.C.C.-S.), keynote speaker, leadership development consultant, skilled facilitator, and meditation and mindfulness teacher. She is dedicated to empowering leaders and individuals with self-awareness, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, wellbeing, and innovative thinking to accurately identify their purpose and execute a clear personal and professional vision.

A licensed mental health therapist grounded in neuroscience with extensive knowledge of human behavior, Jenifer holds a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from The Ohio State University, a master's degree in Counseling and Human Development from Walsh University, an Executive Coaching Certificate from the College of Executive Coaching, and Healthcare Coaching Certificates from both Virginia Tech and the Healthcare Coaching Institute. She created and managed a national Executive Coaching program and provided coaching to global leaders from the manager to the CSuite level. Within her leadership development tenure, Jenifer has delivered keynote speaking, customized career and leadership assessment and development centers, coaching, consulting, and facilitation to upwards of 2,500 individuals and counting.

Jenifer is a dynamic, challenging, thoughtful keynote speaker and Executive Coach dedicated to providing a motivating and thought-provoking environment. Amongst the rapidly changing world of the 21st century, Jenifer's experiences living and working internationally have amplified her cultural awareness and expanded her global mindset and industry experience. Combining her clinical, coaching, speaking, and consultative skills, Jenifer guides clients toward their individualized needs and goals, ultimately impacting those they lead. She yields a global perspective, up-to-date knowledge and fact-based resources, candid feedback, and a deep understanding of leading from a place of wholeness. By adjusting to clients’ needs while simultaneously leading from a place of curiosity and development, she digs deep, provides space for individuals to discover their meaning, rebuild beyond obstacles, and begin to illuminate their path forward.

A "learner," Jenifer enjoys practicing yoga, exploring the outdoors, and expanding her mindset while providing a holistic approach to leadership development. Jenifer has a reputation as an innovative leader who tactfully challenges individuals and organizations to develop their organizational development strategies. Jenifer resides in Ohio with her husband and sons.

Britt Cooper

Dr. Britt Cooper
Using Music to Illustrate Cultural Connections

Dr. Britt Cooper

Dr. Britt Cooper is Professor of Choral Music and Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts at Walsh University. He directs two university choral ensembles: the Walsh University Chorale and the Walsh Chamber Singers, an auditioned touring ensemble. The Chorale annually presents a Festival of Lessons and Carols, one of the most enduring Christmas traditions at Walsh, now in its 12th year. Under Dr. Cooper’s direction, the Chamber Singers have toured extensively throughout Ohio and have traveled to Washington D.C., New York, Pittsburgh and Chicago. The ensemble has also toured Italy on three separate occasions. Performance highlights under Dr. Cooper’s direction have included St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame, the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, and St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

Dr. Cooper served for ten years as the Director of Choruses for the Canton Symphony Orchestra, stepping down in 2022. Highlights of his tenure included performances of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Verdi’s Requiem, and Orff’s Carmina Burana. Dr. Cooper conducted the orchestra on multiple Masterworks concerts and collaborated in this role with choruses from other local private universities, including Mount Union, Malone, and the College of Wooster.

Dr. Cooper currently serves as Director of the Chancel Choir at Christ Presbyterian Church in Canton and, since 2018, has been engaged as the Featured Conductor of the Summit Choral Society’s annual Christmas Candlelight Concerts. In June of 2019, Dr. Cooper was invited by MidAmerica Productions to conduct a concert featuring a mass chorus of 150 voices and orchestra at Carnegie Hall in New York.

A product of Lake High School in Uniontown, Dr. Cooper regularly travels to local high schools throughout Northeast Ohio as a clinician working with their choirs. He is regularly in demand as a director of regional honor choirs and festival choirs.

Dr. Cooper lives in Uniontown with his wife, Heather, who serves as Director of Music and Organist at Christ Presbyterian Church in Canton, directs the Performance Choir of the Summit Choral Society, and will be featured in a 2023 Masterworks concert of the Canton Symphony Orchestra at the organ. The couple is blessed every day by their two children, Megan and Mark.

Browning_Nicholas.jpg

Nick Browning
Leadership in a Purpose Driven Culture

Nick Browning

As President of the Mahoning Valley, Akron, and Canton (MAC) Region for Huntington Bank, Nick is responsible for developing a shared understanding of Huntington’s culture among the more than 2,400 regional colleagues, to best inform the quality by which they serve one another, their customers, and the communities in which they do business. Nick accomplishes this through his engagement and leadership within the Retail, Wealth, Business and Commercial Banking teams and Support Departments.

Additionally, he serves as President of the Huntington-Akron Foundation (HAF), which is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and their families within the City’s most at-risk neighborhoods. The HAF is a primarily proactive grant-making foundation, distributing $2,000,000 annually to over 100 non-profit organizations aligned with the Huntington mission.

Nick joined FirstMerit Bank (merged with Huntington in 2016) in 1992 as a commercial banker and was named Akron Region President in 2003.  Prior to joining Huntington, he was a commercial banker with Ameritrust Bank and NCNB, where he began his banking career in 1987.

He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Marketing from the University of South Carolina and an MBA from Kent State University. His current and past community involvement includes: Greater Akron Chamber Trustee; Summa Health Trustee and Vice-Chair; Downtown Akron Partnership Trustee; United Way of Summit County Trustee; Grace House Akron Trustee and Board Chair; Team NEO Trustee; Akron Urban League Trustee; Akron Community Foundation past Trustee; Sisler McFawn Foundation past Trustee; Akron Rotary past Trustee; Summit Education Initiative past Trustee and Board Chair; United Disability Services past Trustee and Board Chair; Greenleaf Family Center past Trustee and Board Chair;  Leadership Akron past Trustee and Board Chair.

Nick and his wife, Cindy, live in Akron and have 3 grown children, two rescue dogs and a rescue cat.