Events

Hardesty, currently serving as the Executive Director of the Downtown Akron Development Corporation brings nearly a decade of experience to his new role in Akron. In his career, he has worked on various forms of development and city-wide initiatives including downtown development, adaptive redevelopment, residential development, site and greenfield development, and program and incentive development. Hardesty played a key role in shaping Canton’s Downtown and intends to bring that experience and success to Akron’s core.

In addition to his experience, he is a University of Akron alumni, holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from Walsh University, is an Ohio Certified Economic Developer (OhioCED), and is a 2024 member of ystark! ‘Twenty under 40!’ class.

With more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, philanthropy, and community engagement, Danielle Robertson Thompson is a proven leader in advancing organizational impact and fostering meaningful partnerships. She currently oversees two governing boards and six committees, including the Grant Selection Committee, where she guides funding strategies and community investments.

Danielle raises funds annually through high-profile fundraising events such as the Ambassador of Golf presented by the FirstEnergy Foundation, honoring global figures including President George W. Bush and Stephen Curry. Her expertise extends to financial management, budget oversight, and compliance, as well as leading large-scale volunteer initiatives that engage more than 1,000 volunteers for events like the Kaulig Companies Championship.

Danielle holds a bachelor's degree from Miami University and a master's from Syracuse University. She brings a strong foundation in donor relations, volunteer and board engagement, and organizational leadership, and is deeply committed to leveraging her skills to promote volunteerism and philanthropy.

We are delighted to welcome on November 4, 2025, our inbound Rotary exchange student as our presenter on Luciana "Lu" Ortiz Ancí, from Arequipa, Peru. We look forward to hearing about her activities and experiences during her first few months with us!

Luciana Mercedes Ortiz Ancí was born on November 1, 2008, in Arequipa, Peru — a city known for its rich culture, vibrant colors, and artistic spirit. From an early age, she showed a deep love for the arts, often spending her time painting, taking pictures, and exploring creative expression through music and movement.

Growing up surrounded by the beauty of Arequipa’s landscapes and traditions, Luciana developed a keen eye for detail and a strong emotional connection to visual storytelling. Her interests expanded to include playing the piano, dancing, singing, and experimenting with makeup, each outlet allowing her to express different facets of her personality.

At the age of 16, Luciana embarked on a new chapter as an exchange student in the United States. This experience broadened her perspective, giving her the opportunity to share her Peruvian heritage while embracing new cultures and ideas. Her time abroad has deepened her artistic voice and inspired her to continue exploring creativity in all its forms.

Luciana’s love for cats, her passion for photography, and her dedication to the arts make her a dynamic and thoughtful young creator. Whether behind a camera, at a piano, or in front of a canvas, she brings warmth, curiosity, and authenticity to everything she does.

Rob and Doug will help you understand the difference between The Rotary International Foundation and The Akron Rotary Foundation. 

Purposeful Giving is a concept that emphasizes intentional, thoughtful, and meaningful acts of generosity. 

They will discuss how giving goes beyond simply donating money or resources—it’s about aligning your giving with your values, making a sustainable impact, and fostering connection and purpose.

Marissa Gerbitz was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Kent State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. During her time at Kent State, she was an active member of Delta Gamma and volunteered with the Kent Lions Club. She later completed her Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Cincinnati. Before joining Apex, Marissa worked as a registered nurse at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and as a nurse practitioner at Milan Laser, where she received two medical excellence awards for outstanding patient care. Currently enrolled in the Apex training program, Marissa specializes in diagnosing and treating both acute and chronic dermatologic conditions for patients of all ages. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, staying active with Pilates, and listening to ’80s rock. A proud Ohioan, she’s also an enthusiastic Ohio State football fan.

Amanda Barna, M.A. is Principal and co-founder of the Center for Marketing & Opinion Research (CMOR). A small-business leader who wears many hats, she oversees business strategy, marketing and client development, and serves as a lead researcher and project manager. With more than 25 years of quantitative and qualitative research experience, Amanda specializes in survey design, secondary data analysis, program evaluation, community health assessments and translating findings into clear, actionable recommendations for community partners.

Amanda earned both her M.A. in Urban Studies and B.A. in Sociology from The University of Akron (where she was named Undergraduate Student of the Year). She is an alumna of Leadership Akron Class 37; past board member of Akron Torchbearers; past Board Chair and current Board Member of Goodwill Industries of Akron; and President of the University of Akron Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences Alumni Council. Amanda, along with her sister, run their local school district’s annual Safety Town program for incoming kindergarteners. She is a recipient of the Greater Akron Chamber’s 30 for the Future award.

Amanda lives in Canal Fulton with her husband, Tim, their three sons, and two spoiled dogs and is an avid runner who enjoys long distance running and trail races.