Events

Kathleen Biggins is the Founder and President of C-Change Conversations, a national nonprofit dedicated to fostering understanding about the risks of climate change to our economy, health and security, and geopolitical stability. In 2014, Kathleen recognized that climate change was a significant risk but that few people were talking about it because it was seen as such a polarizing and far-off topic. That year she pulled a team together to create C-Change Conversations with the goal of depoliticizing the issue and helping others understand how it might impact them personally. 

Kathleen wrote the C-Change Conversations Primer – a nonpartisan, science-based presentation – that has been lauded by both conservative politicians and chief scientists of internationally known climate organizations. The Primer has been presented to a wide range of businesses and associations, reaching over 25,000 people in 34 states and internationally. C-Change has received accolades from leaders in government, finance, health, and education, as well as recognition by the southeastern conference of the World Presidents Organization, the Financial Executives Networking Group, the Garden Club of America, Rotary International, and the Land Trust Alliance. In 2023, Kathleen represented C-Change at COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, which hosted 85,000 climate leaders from around the globe. 

Kathleen hails from New Orleans and is a graduate of the University of Virginia and attended the Albert Ludwig University in Freiburg, Germany, as a Rotary Scholar. Prior to founding C-Change, she had a career in journalism and advertising. She now lives in Princeton with her husband and their dog.

In January 2023, Dr. David W. James became the Executive Director of Summit Education Initiative (SEI). With almost 30 years of experience in public education leadership, he is dedicated to advancing SEI's vision of preparing Summit County students for success and promoting prosperity through education. Before joining SEI, Dr. James served as Deputy Superintendent of Operations at Columbus City Schools after he retired from Akron Public Schools in 2021.

His role with Columbus City Schools included oversight of the following departments: Human Resources, Information Technology, and Business Operations, which provides for Buildings and Grounds, Custodial Services, Capital Improvements, Food Services, Outreach, Purchasing, Warehouse and Printing, Real Estate, Shared Services, Safety and Security, and Transportation.

Dr. James is best known in Akron for his 13-year tenure as Superintendent of Akron Public Schools. During this time, he initiated a unique collaboration between the school district, the City of Akron, and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, leading to the reconstruction or major renovation of most APS school buildings to create Community Learning Centers.

Dr. James, his staff, and key community partners successfully collaborated with Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL) to develop the College and Career Academies of Akron. This experiential learning model transformed the entire educational experience for all students. As a result, the Akron Public Schools earned designation as a Ford Next Generation Learning Community. Ford NGL, a branch of Ford Motor Company, is well known across the country for its innovative educational methods that help high school students get ready for both college and future careers.

Under Dr. James's leadership, a partnership with the LeBron James Family Foundation led to the creation of the I PROMISE School, which opened in July 2018. This educational model offers comprehensive support to at-risk students, providing them with the resources needed to stay on track for graduation. In partnership with Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA), he led the effort to have Akron Public Schools partner with AMHA in constructing the Reach Opportunity Center. This center provides access to early learning opportunities provided by Akron Public Schools, the local Head Start Program, and community programs offered by AMHA to an underserved community.

Dr. James is the recipient of the 2025 Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, Building for Tomorrow, Reach Higher Community Excellence Award; the 2022 Downtown Akron Kiwanis, David James Excellent Educator Award; 2021 Community Action Akron Summit, Hubert H. Humphrey Humanitarian Award; and the 2019 Leadership Akron, Lieberth Community Vision Award. He is a Leadership Akron Class 24 graduate.

Dr. James earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and his Master of Public Administration from Cleveland State University, and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Phoenix.

Terry Gromes Jr. is the Founder & CEO of The Canary Project, an Ohio-based initiative helping families, schools, and communities build healthier relationships with technology. Through presentations, conversations, and the Canary Challenge app, The Canary Project encourages individuals to reclaim attention, intentionality, and human connection in an era of constant digital distraction. Coming from a background in technology development and business strategy, Terry’s work focuses on the intersection of technology, culture, and human behavior, with an emphasis on restoring presence in everyday life.

A distinguished educational leader and author, Traci Buckner is executive director at Akron Children’s Museum, a vibrant, interactive space located in the heart of downtown Akron designed for children to learn through play.

Buckner joined Akron Children’s Museum after 18 years of service in the Akron Public School system and most recently as program officer at GAR Foundation, the largest private charitable foundation in Akron, Ohio where she worked to advance the foundation’s strategic funding priorities through grant-making and convening. She is the founding instructional leader of the National Inventors Hall of Fame School…Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Learning and most recently served as Director of Specialty Programs where she led the district’s efforts to expand STEM best practices throughout Akron Public schools and to develop and direct innovation efforts in the district’s non-traditional schools. She also authored the book STEM Leadership, a guide on creating a STEM culture in a school or district as well as a children’s book, We All Make Tracks. Previously, Buckner worked as a middle school
language arts classroom teacher, and served in several schools as dean of students, assistant principal, and principal. Prior to her educational career, she worked in corporate marketing and sales.

Buckner has gained broad recognition for educational leadership and civic engagement. She consults to help leaders think strategically and speaks locally and nationally on creativity and innovation in and has served as a guest panelist at several speaking engagements including the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, ATHENA Akron Leadership Forum, The Ashland University Leadership Academy Seminar, the Akron Roundtable, a guest podcaster on Apple
Growth Partners’ Slice broadcast, and the Proud Parent Series presented by the Children’s Museum of Evansville, Indiana. She is a past president of ATHENA Akron, Inc., a member of Leadership Akron, Kent Area (OH) Chapter of The Links Incorporated, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and currently serves on the Summit County Children’s Services, ATHENA Akron, Greater Akron Chamber, and Archbishop Hoban High School boards. She was featured in
Akron Life magazine as one of the city’s 2015 change makers and was a recipient of the Women of STEM Rising Amongst the Stars award from the Ohio Black Women’s Leadership Caucus, the Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Award, and Athena Akron Women’s Leadership Award.

Buckner received a Master’s in education from John Carroll University and Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from The Ohio State University. She also earned an instructional leadership administrative certificate from Ashland University. She resides in Akron with her husband, Tobin and their two sons.

John F. Garofalo was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Akron Community Foundation in July 2025. In this role, he provides strategic leadership to a team of 22 staff members and works in close partnership with a 24-member board of directors to advance the foundation’s mission and deepen its impact across the Greater Akron region.

John previously served as the foundation’s Vice President of Community Investment for 14 years, where he directed the allocation of more than $125 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and community initiatives throughout Summit County and beyond. His leadership in grantmaking and philanthropic strategy helped strengthen the foundation’s role as a trusted resource and catalyst for community change.

John brings a distinguished career in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership, with past roles at University Hospitals, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, United Way of Greater Cleveland, United Way of Greater Stark County, and the American Red Cross. His extensive experience spans nonprofit management, fundraising and development, grantmaking, strategic planning, and organizational capacity building.

He has successfully led major fundraising campaigns, secured multi-million-dollar grants, and cultivated strong partnerships with donors, foundations, and community stakeholders. John is recognized for his deep expertise in organizational strategy, donor relations, program development, and innovative grantmaking approaches that drive sustainable impact.

John holds both a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education and a Master of Education in Community Health Management and Administration from Kent State University. He has maintained the prestigious Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential since 2004.

He currently serves on the boards of ArtsNow, Leadership Akron, Akron Roundtable, Downtown Akron Development Corporation, and the Social Services Advisory Board (appointed by the county).
John resides in Northwest Akron with his husband, Matt.

Kimberly oversees all aspects of the work of Downtown Akron Partnership. She works closely with downtown stakeholders, local government leaders, property owners, commercial and retail businesses and residents to advance the downtown neighborhood. Kimberly received her bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison and masters in public administration at the University of Akron. She is a Torchbearers Alum,  former Vice President of the Friends of Metro Parks board of directors and youth basketball coach.