Stephanie York serves as executive director of the Shaw Jewish Community Center of Akron.  The Shaw JCC is recognized for its quality programming and services in fitness, recreation, sports, and education, for all stages of life.  The JCC’s approximately 60-acre campus houses an early childhood education department, a k-8 private school, a synagogue, JewishAkron, Jewish Family Services, a full kosher kitchen with catering, two pools, tennis and pickleball courts, a racquetball court, a gymnasium, workout facilities, group exercise rooms, an auditorium, and well-equipped locker rooms with spa features, and more.  The JCC membership is predominantly from outside the Jewish community – with 1,400 membership units (individuals or families) and 1,000 active Silver Sneaker participants.

Prior to the JCC, Stephanie was vice president and in-house counsel at Hennes Communications, one the few firms in the U.S. focused exclusively on crisis communications and crisis management. With over 25 years’ experience in law and communications, Stephanie specialized in crisis and issues communications, outrage management, litigation communications, media relations and social media. 

Prior to joining Hennes Communications, Stephanie served as both assistant director of law and director of communications for the City of Akron.  In these positions, she skillfully controlled communications for civil and criminal legal matters, state and federal investigations, a vast city taxpayer website breach and attempted breaches, city council disputes, community perceptions, mayoral reputation challenges and sudden changes in leadership and administrations.  While working for the government, Stephanie honed her skills in customer service as she managed constituents’ concerns, questions, issues and problems.

Stephanie has served on several prominent local non-profit boards, is an Akron Planning Commissioner and a host of Forum 360, a local PBS show.  You can reach Stephanie at syork@shawjcc.org.