Speakers

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.

Rachel Tecca was hired as the first Executive Director of YSS in November, 2023.  Rachel has distinguished herself locally, regionally, and nationally as an innovative breakthrough leader dedicated to closing youth opportunity gaps.  In her role as Director of College and Career Academies and Assistant Superintendent for Akron Public Schools, she was responsible for leading the district in the transformation to College and Career Academies of Akron (CCAA) ensuring all APS students graduate from high school prepared for college and a career to fuel Akron’s workforce.  Rachel has dedicated her career to serving youth with the greatest systemic barriers and inequities to success in a variety of leadership positions. In each of these roles, she viewed positive youth development and reduction of youth violence as key to creating environments where youth thrive.

William “Mac” Love is an international artist, branding professional, and diehard Cleveland sports fan. Born in New York City, Mac grew up in Brussels, Belgium, studied Fine Art & Synaesthesis at Skidmore College, and earned his MFA in Painting from the Edinburgh College of Art. He has led and produced thousands of private and public art projects around the world. Mac is the president of Leadership Akron Class 38, serves on the board of Akron Roundtable and the Akron Bicentennial Commission, and is an inaugural graduate of Creative Ohio’s Advocacy Leadership Institute.

Nathan began serving as the Executive Director of the Autism Society of Greater Akron in 2024, bringing nearly 20 years of experience working with, advocating for and supporting the Autism community. His career spans roles as a direct support professional working with adults on the spectrum, as an administrator directing residential and day programs for developmentally disabled people, and as an executive dedicated to lowering barriers to access to a sense of belonging for members of the Autism community by creating meaningful quality-of-life opportunities.

Nathan’s dedication to service leadership was shaped by both his parents as well as his service in the New York State Air National Guard during 9/11 and the War on Terror. It was further developed through his academic pursuits. Nathan holds an Executive MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, a Master of Public Administration (Health Care) from Marist College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education (English) from SUNY New Paltz.

As the second Executive Director in ASGA’s history, Nathan is proud to build on the sound foundation already in place through the dedication and passion of the ASGA staff and Board of Directors. In collaboration with them and the Northeast Ohio community, Nathan continuously seeks even more effective, efficient, economical ways to continue advancing the mission of creating connections that empower everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully.