Best Leadership Podcast Ever

Andra Polasky

Leadership Portage County in Northeast Ohio will showcase alumni from the program. Guests will share stories of leadership successes and challenges.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 16 -- Anna Marie La Venia '25

    Anna Marie La Venia, Leadership Portage County Class of 2025, is our guest for this episode of The Best Leadership Podcast Ever! Anna Marie is the General Manager of Consumer Care at the Emerson Group, a wife, mother of three, and an active member of the Portage County community. In her conversation with Andra, Anna Marie shares how she balances the demands of leading a large team with raising a busy family, emphasizing the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive people, prioritizing what matters, and recognizing the strengths of those around you. She also describes why she and her husband chose to raise their family in Portage County, where they enjoy close relationships with extended family and the benefits of living in a community with strong connections to Kent State University. Anna Marie reflects on the mentors who have shaped her leadership philosophy, including a particularly memorable experience early in her career when a costly mistake taught her the importance of honesty, accountability, and what she calls the "gift of failure." She and Andra discuss the importance of creating a workplace where employees are trusted to make decisions, learn from mistakes, and develop their own strengths. Anna Marie shares her approach to supporting her team through clear direction, opportunities for independence, praise, feedback, and support, while emphasizing that effective leadership requires both kindness and a willingness to have difficult conversations. In their conversation, Anna Marie and Andra also explore the importance of recognizing potential in others, learning from different leadership styles, and approaching leadership as an opportunity to leave an organization better than you found it. Anna Marie discusses the impact of her experience in Leadership Portage County, which introduced her to people and organizations throughout the county and inspired her to become more involved in community service, including serving on the Portage Foundation's grants committee. Throughout the episode, Anna Marie emphasizes the importance of encouraging others, leading with humility, and bringing her whole heart to the work she does and the relationships she builds. ----- The Best Leadership Podcast Ever is a project of Leadership Portage County in Northeast Ohio and showcases alumni from the program. Guests share stories of leadership successes and challenges. Follow "The Best Leadership Podcast Ever" wherever you get your podcasts.

  2. Oct 7

    Episode 15 -- Dominique Bollenbacher '18

    Dominique Bollenbacher, Leadership Portage County Class of 2018, is our guest for this episode of The Best Leadership Podcast Ever! Dominique is the Community Engagement Coordinator for the City of Kent and a longtime community volunteer who has built her career around connecting people and strengthening communities. In her conversation with Andra, Dominique shares how volunteering and service were instilled in her at a young age, and how her eight years working for Habitat for Humanity of Portage County helped her develop a deeper appreciation for communities across the county. Dominique also reflects on her experience in Leadership Portage County early in her career, where she gained mentors, relationships, and the confidence to ask questions and challenge the way things have always been done. Dominique describes her path to her current role with the City of Kent, a community where she has deep family roots, attended college, and eventually chose to make her home. She and Andra discuss Dominique's work creating opportunities for residents to connect, including the Longest Table, which brought more than 400 people together in downtown Kent, and a neighborhood beautification program that recognizes residents who make their neighborhoods stronger. Dominique shares how her role allows her to highlight the people who make Kent special while helping residents better understand and access the resources available to them. In their conversation, Dominique and Andra also explore the importance of mentorship, humility, and learning how to challenge ideas in ways that invite conversation rather than shut it down. Dominique discusses the role organizations including the Kent Jaycees, Main Street Kent, and Rotary have played in giving her opportunities to practice leadership, build relationships, and learn in environments where it is safe to fail. Throughout the episode, Dominique emphasizes the dignity and purpose of every person, the importance of creating community across differences, and the value of believing in your own ability to contribute—even on the days when you need to remind yourself, "You are that girl." ----- The Best Leadership Podcast Ever is a project of Leadership Portage County in Northeast Ohio and showcases alumni from the program. Guests share stories of leadership successes and challenges. Follow "The Best Leadership Podcast Ever" wherever you get your podcasts.

  3. Jun 10

    Episode 14 -- Todd Kamenash '16

    Todd is the Associate Dean of Students for Conduct and Community Engagement at Kent State University, a community volunteer, youth sports coach, and dedicated advocate for student success. In his conversation with Andra, Todd shares his journey from growing up in New York to finding a career in higher education, describing how a shy and introverted young adult gradually developed the confidence to lead, connect with others, and embrace opportunities outside his comfort zone. He reflects on formative experiences during college, including student leadership roles that helped him discover a passion for creating meaningful experiences and supporting others. Todd discusses his work at Kent State, where he blends student conduct responsibilities with community engagement efforts that ensure students engage in safe behaviors in the broader Kent community. He explains the importance of building relationships and fostering student accountability. Todd and Andra also explore the role of presence in leadership, the challenge of balancing competing priorities, and the importance of making people feel heard, respected, and connected. Throughout the conversation, Todd reflects on the mentors and experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy, including lessons learned from coaching youth and collegiate athletics. He shares how leadership is less about motivating people through speeches and more about helping them discover their own reasons to succeed. Todd also discusses vulnerability, self-awareness, and the importance of understanding that growth often comes from discomfort. Whether working with students, volunteers, colleagues, or community organizations, Todd emphasizes the value of authenticity, relationships, and finding purpose in the work itself rather than simply chasing achievements or titles. ----- The Best Leadership Podcast Ever is a project of Leadership Portage County in Northeast Ohio and showcases alumni from the program. Guests share stories of leadership successes and challenges. Follow The Best Leadership Podcast Ever wherever you get your podcasts.

  4. May 27

    Episode 13 -- Heather Waltz '03

    Heather is a longtime Portage County resident, nonprofit leader, community volunteer, and advocate for kindness, honesty, and service. In her conversation with Andra, Heather reflects on taking part in Leadership Portage County early in her career and how the program introduced her to people, places, and systems across the county that she otherwise may not have encountered. She also shares why Kent became home for her and her family, describing the community's deep sense of connection, natural beauty, local businesses, and people-centered spirit. Heather discusses her recent socially responsible travel experience in Cuba, where she joined a women's bicycling trip during a difficult moment in the country's history. She reflects on the humility and empathy that experience deepened in her, and how those values carry into her leadership. As she prepares to begin a new role as Divisional Director of Housing Services at Axess Family Services, Heather shares her commitment to listening first, understanding what people say and what they do not say, and helping teams work together from a place of trust, clarity, and shared purpose. In their conversation, Heather and Andra also explore the mentors and experiences that shaped Heather's leadership style, including lessons in professional development, policy, listening, and continuous improvement. Heather shares her belief in "chaotic good"—doing good in ways that may be unconventional but bring joy, kindness, and care to others. She also discusses her involvement with organizations such as the Kent Community Time Bank and the Kent Jaycees, her passion for service, and how she is evolving by focusing on what matters most: her children, community, friends, family, health, and living in alignment with her values. Check out Axess Family Services at https://axessfamilyservices.org. ----- The Best Leadership Podcast Ever is a project of Leadership Portage County in Northeast Ohio and showcases alumni from the program. Guests share stories of leadership successes and challenges. Follow The Best Leadership Podcast Ever wherever you get your podcasts.

  5. Apr 24

    Episode 12 -- Dr. Jennifer Kulics '09

    Jennifer is a longtime higher education leader, former student-athlete and coach, and current development professional with the American Heart Association. In her conversation with Andra, Jennifer shares her journey from growing up in Mahoning County to becoming a Division I student-athlete at Bowling Green, and how her passion for sports and mentorship led her to Kent State University, where she spent 25 years building a career in athletics, student affairs, and philanthropy. She reflects on how sports served as a "microcosm of life," shaping her leadership style and deep commitment to helping others grow. Jennifer describes the impact of influential mentors throughout her career, including leaders who demonstrated that it is possible to lead with kindness, authenticity, and attention to the "little things" that make people feel valued. She shares how her roles at Kent State—from working with student-athletes to serving as Ombuds, Dean of Students, and later in fundraising—allowed her to support students through both joyful and challenging moments. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of honesty, vulnerability, and being present for others, recalling powerful experiences that shaped her ability to lead with empathy and resilience. Throughout the conversation, Jennifer highlights the importance of creating opportunities for others, whether by putting people in rooms where they can grow or simply helping them recognize their own potential. She and Andra also discuss the challenges of leadership during times of transition, including navigating new roles, leading teams through uncertainty, and learning alongside others. Now working with the American Heart Association, Jennifer continues her mission of service through fundraising and advocacy, while remaining deeply committed to mentoring and supporting others in their personal and professional journeys. She closes by sharing a guiding belief that happiness is not a destination, but a choice—one rooted in gratitude, presence, and connection. Check out the American Heart Association at https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/ohio. ----- The Best Leadership Podcast Ever is a project of Leadership Portage County in Northeast Ohio and showcases alumni from the program. Guests share stories of leadership successes and challenges. Follow The Best Leadership Podcast Ever wherever you get your podcasts.

  6. Apr 8

    Episode 11 -- Ryan Shackelford '15

    Ryan is the Director of the Portage County Emergency Management Agency and a lifelong Portage County resident whose career has been shaped by service, preparedness, and a deep commitment to community. In his conversation with Andra, Ryan shares his journey from growing up in rural Portage County to serving in the Air Force Reserves and working across the country before returning home to take on a leadership role in emergency management. He reflects on how a passion for weather, combined with military training and a willingness to seize opportunity, led him to a career focused on protecting lives and coordinating response efforts across the county. Ryan describes the unique nature of Portage County as a place that is "just right"—large enough to have meaningful resources, yet small enough to require strong collaboration across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. He shares how his team has built extensive partnerships and detailed emergency plans that allow the county to respond effectively to crises, from tornadoes and severe weather events to public safety incidents. Ryan also discusses the importance of visionary leadership, emphasizing the need to communicate not just what needs to be done, but why it matters, in order to build trust and secure buy-in from diverse stakeholders. Throughout the conversation, Ryan highlights the role of continuous improvement in emergency management, noting that no organization is ever fully "ready" and that every incident offers an opportunity to learn and grow. He reflects on the mentors who shaped his leadership style, the balance between accountability and encouragement, and the importance of showing up for others—both in moments of crisis and in everyday community life. Ryan also shares how coaching youth sports and spending time with his family ground him, reinforcing the same leadership principles he applies in his professional work: teamwork, discipline, and supporting others to succeed. Check out the Portage County Emergency Management Agency at https://www.portagecounty-oh.gov/emergency-management-agency. ---------- The Best Leadership Podcast Ever is a project of Leadership Portage County in Northeast Ohio and showcases alumni from the program. Guests share stories of leadership successes and challenges. Follow The Best Leadership Podcast Ever wherever you get your podcasts.

  7. Mar 18

    Episode 10 -- Brian Adams '22

    Brian is the Chief Operating Officer at UH Portage Medical Center and a longtime healthcare leader who has spent more than 20 years with University Hospitals. In his conversation with Andra, Brian shares his journey from growing up in Northeast Ohio to beginning his career as an occupational therapist, and how his clinical experience continues to shape his leadership approach today. He reflects on the value of staying with one organization over time, the importance of strong mentorship, and how seeking out leaders who align with your values can open doors for growth and advancement. Brian discusses the evolution of UH Portage Medical Center, including its transition from a standalone hospital to part of a larger health system, and the impact that change has had on access to specialized care, recruitment of physicians, and investment in advanced medical technology. He also offers an honest look at the challenges facing healthcare today, including insurance reimbursement, administrative burden, and concerns about access to care—issues that continue to weigh on him as a leader responsible for the health of Portage County residents. Throughout the conversation, Brian emphasizes the importance of servant leadership, community connection, and the responsibility healthcare professionals have to care for their neighbors. He reflects on his experience in Leadership Portage County as a way to better understand both the strengths and needs of the community, and highlights the power of relationships across sectors. Brian also shares personal insights into balancing leadership with family life, his passion for music as a drummer in a local band, and a guiding leadership principle—"WAIT: Why Am I Talking?"—as a reminder to listen intentionally and create space for others. Check out UH Portage Medical Center at https://www.uhhospitals.org/locations/uh-portage-medical-center. ---------- The Best Leadership Podcast Ever is a project of Leadership Portage County in Northeast Ohio and showcases alumni from the program. Guests share stories of leadership successes and challenges. Follow The Best Leadership Podcast Ever wherever you get your podcasts.

  8. Mar 5

    Episode 9 -- Amanda Cole '24

    Amanda is the first Executive Director of Plexus LGBT & Allied Chamber of Commerce and a dynamic advocate for inclusive workplaces and thriving small businesses across Northeast Ohio. In her conversation with Andra, Amanda shares what drew her to Leadership Portage County's inaugural Class of 2024, her journey to Kent through family and caregiving, and her deep commitment to building community where she lives—not just where she works. Amanda explains the mission of Plexus as one of only 55 LGBT chambers of commerce in the United States, describing its role as a connector between LGBTQ and allied-owned businesses, corporate partners, and individuals seeking affirming workplaces. She reflects on how the organization has evolved from a traditional chamber model to one that includes education, equity-minded leadership training, and workforce development initiatives designed to reduce barriers and increase belonging. Through personal stories—including navigating discrimination and visibility in her own career—Amanda highlights the importance of authenticity in leadership and the real-world impact of inclusive policies and culture. The conversation also explores Amanda's upbringing in a working-class family, her transformative experience at Antioch College, and her belief in claiming space in rooms where others may feel they do not belong. Recently named Cleveland Magazine's 2025 Community Leader of the Year, Amanda speaks candidly about generational growth, accountability, and the responsibility leaders have to create opportunity for others. She and Andra discuss balancing empathy with performance, advocating for oneself in the workplace, and the importance of protecting joy while leading with courage and kindness. Check out Plexus at https://www.thinkplexus.org. ---------- The Best Leadership Podcast Ever is a project of Leadership Portage County in Northeast Ohio and showcases alumni from the program. Guests share stories of leadership successes and challenges. Follow The Best Leadership Podcast Ever wherever you get your podcasts.

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Leadership Portage County in Northeast Ohio will showcase alumni from the program. Guests will share stories of leadership successes and challenges.

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