BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—On Friday, December 13, Crawford Unlimited Leadership (CU Lead), a nine-month leadership program led by the Crawford Partnership, held its second annual CU Impact event at St. Joseph’s Convocation Center in Crestline. The event celebrated the accomplishments of this year’s 23 graduates and connected them to community leadership, service, and support opportunities with 25 Crawford County nonprofits, organizations, and service clubs.

Stephanie Buchanan, a CU Lead alum and member of the CU Lead Oversight Committee, expressed her satisfaction with the event. “My perspective of CU Lead and CU Impact is threefold: as an alum, an employer, and a member of the Oversight Committee. Witnessing the growth of the leadership graduation event, CU Impact, year after year is great to be a part of and support,” Buchanan said.

For over a decade, CU Lead has provided an immersive experience that exposes participants to the unique places, organizations, businesses, and opportunities in Crawford County. The program aims to build a network of passionate leaders dedicated to supporting local communities while developing their own leadership skills. The program boasts nearly 245 alumni after concluding its thirteenth cohort.

This year’s graduates and their employers are as follows:

  • Alex Crall, Ohio Mutual Insurance Group
  • Amanda Poland, City of Galion
  • Amy Wood, Mid Ohio Educational Service Center
  • Ashley Manley, Tramec Sloan
  • Becky Lutz, Ganymede Technologies
  • Brandi Maynard, Cleaning by Carrie
  • Bruce Truka, City of Bucyrus
  • Carmon Walter, Trustwell Living
  • Cindy Bays, Galion Community Center YMCA
  • Heidi Kreglow, North Central State College
  • Jessica Alt, Center Street Meats
  • Jessica Behr, Tramec Sloan
  • Joshua Gebhardt, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office
  • Kali Rehm, OhioHealth
  • Kristie Chandler, Nourishing Roots: Mind, Body, Spirit,
  • Lora Kibler, Park National Bank
  • Megan Boyle, Ohio Mutual Insurance Group
  • Megan Rowlinson, Dostal & Kirk
  • Ryan McQuillen, Ohio Mutual Insurance Group
  • Sarah Jackson, Bucyrus Public Library
  • Stephen Knapp, The Copper Irons, LLC
  • Timothy Howman, Elliott
  • Todd Entenmann, Peoples Savings and Loan Company

Clayton Herold from the Crestline Community Development Team, one of the presenting organizations, shared his thoughts after the event: “The Crestline Community Development Team has made an impact with welcome signs, parks, and other projects, but all of this is because of volunteer efforts. Having the opportunity to share about our group with a network of local leaders is great and we hope some will choose to support and engage in our efforts.”

Nonprofits presenting at the event included the following:

  • Junior Achievement
  • Together We Hurt Together We Heal
  • 100 Women Who Care
  • Crestline Historical Society
  • Humane Society Serving Crawford County
  • Bucyrus Historical Society
  • Bucyrus Public Library
  • LifeWise Academy
  • United in Harmony
  • Galion Port Authority
  • Bucyrus Kiwanis
  • Rotary Club of Bucyrus
  • Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival
  • Crawford Park District
  • Bucyrus Backpack Program
  • Crawford County Art Center
  • United Way of North Central Ohio
  • AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP
  • Crestline Community Development Team
  • Lauretta Schimmoler Museum,
  • Bucyrus Little Theatre
  • Galion Community Theatre
  • Altrusa International
  • Bucyrus Copper Kettle Works Museum
  • Crawford County CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities)